University literature lecturer

University literature lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, literature, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants in the preparation of lectures and of exams, in grading papers and exams and in leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of literature, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.

The following job titles also refer to university literature lecturer:

literature docent
literature lecturer
lecturer in literature
literature instructor
higher education literature lecturer
professor of literature
senior lecturer in literature
university literature professor
HE literature lecturer
lecturer of literature
literature professor
university lecturer in literature
literature lector
literature teacher
higher education literature teacher
HE literature teacher

Doctoral or equivalent level is generally required to work as university literature lecturer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

University literature lecturer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to university literature lecturer.

mathematics lecturer
modern languages lecturer
education studies lecturer
classical languages lecturer
law lecturer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of university literature lecturer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of university literature lecturer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of university literature lecturer.

Literature: The body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.
Literary theory: The different genres of literature and the way they fit into specific scenes.
History of literature: The historical evolution of forms of writing that are meant to entertain, educate or to give instructions to the audience, such as fictional prose and poems. The techniques used to communicate these writings and the historical context in which they were written.
Types of literature genres: The different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.
Writing techniques: The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.
Literary techniques: The various approaches an author can use to enhance their writing and produce a specific effect; this can be the choice of a specific genre or the use of metaphors, allusions, and word play.
Curriculum objectives: The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

These skills are necessary for the role of university literature lecturer.

Teach principles of literature: Instruct students in the theory and practice of literature, more specifically in reading and writing techniques, etymology and literary analysis.
Guarantee students’ safety: Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Monitor developments in field of expertise: Keep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.
Compile course material: Write, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.
Liaise with educational support staff: Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues relating the students’ well-being.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Assess students: Evaluate the students’ (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Demonstrate when teaching: Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.
Give constructive feedback: Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.
Perform classroom management: Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Apply intercultural teaching strategies: Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.
Liaise with educational staff: Communicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students’ well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with the technical and research staff to discuss research projects and courses-related matters.
Develop course outline: Research and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of university literature lecturer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Assessment processes: Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.
Literary criticism: Academic field that evaluates and classifies literary works. These discussions can cover new publications or offer reassessment of older pieces of literature.
Learning difficulties: The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.
Rhetoric: The art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.
University procedures: The inner workings of a university, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of university literature lecturer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Assist in the organisation of school events: Provide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school’s open house day, a sports game or a talent show.
Supervise educational staff: Monitor and evaluate the actions of the educational staff such as teaching or research assistants and teachers and their methods. Mentor, train, and give advice to them if necessary.
Serve on academic committee: Contribute to university or college managerial decisions, such as budgetary issues, school policy reviews and recommendations, department promotions, and hiring of new staff members. This may also include participation in discussions around educational policy reforms.
Facilitate teamwork between students: Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.
Monitor educational developments: Monitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.
Assist students with equipment: Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.
Develop curriculum: Develop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources.
Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
Manage resources for educational purposes: Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.
Assist students with their dissertation: Support university students with the writing of their paper or theses. Advise on research methods or additions to certain parts of their dissertations. Report different types of errors, such as research or methodological errors, to the student.
Publish academic research: Conduct academic research, at a university or college or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
Keep records of attendance: Keep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.
Work with virtual learning environments: Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.
Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Supervise doctoral students: Assist students working on a doctorate in specifying their research question and deciding on a methodology. Monitor their progress and conduct quality reviews of their work.
Conduct qualitative research: Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.
Provide career counselling: Advise beneficiaries on future career options through counselling and, potentially, through career testing and evaluation.

2310 – University and higher education teachers

 

 

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References

1. University literature lecturer – ESCO