Applications are invited for a new BAAS Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi, starting in August 2016 for two years. Candidates will normally be final-year undergraduates in American Studies and related fields and disciplines at a British university, but applications will also be accepted from recent graduates.

The BAAS-Mississippi Graduate Teaching Assistantship consists of the award for two years of a GTA, part of which will be devoted to university teaching. The Assistantship provides an income sufficient to cover living expenses, plus remission of tuition fees while the recipient of the award pursues graduate study for an MA in Southern Studies based in the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. GTA duties take up approximately half of the working time of an Assistant. During the two years the GTA could expect to assist in the teaching of two courses per year (leading discussions, marking essays and exams, etc.), conduct research in support of a faculty member’s project, and participate in Center for the Study of Southern Culture projects.

Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi

The Center for the Study of Southern Culture began in 1978 under the directorship of William Ferris and has since helped the University of Mississippi to become internationally recognized as a leader in the examination and study of the South. A National Endowment for the Humanities curriculum grant led to the creation of a Bachelor of Arts program in Southern Studies, which now enrolls 40 undergraduate majors, and in 1986 the University established the Master of Arts program, which enrolls 30 students from across the nation and around the world. Documentary Studies has long been a particular strength of the Center, as well as Southern history, literature, music, sociology and cultural anthropology. Center projects and partners include the New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, the Southern Foodways Alliance, Living Blues Magazine, the University’s Media and Documentary Projects Center, and several annual conferences. The current Director is Professor Ted Ownby, a long-time faculty member in the Southern Studies and History departments at the University. The Center for the Study of Southern Culture continues to build on its history in helping to chart ways into the South’s future, as documented in the newsletter Southern Register which chronicles the history and activities of the Center.

British Association for American Studies: application process for GTAs

Applicants will be received by a BAAS panel, which will draw up a shortlist for an interview in mid-January. The recommendation of the panel needs to be ratified by the University of Mississippi. The successful candidate would begin his/her studies at the University of Mississippi in August 2016 for the two years, 2016-2018.

Completed applications must be received by Friday 27 November,  2015. Please send your application (details below) by e-mail to awards@baas.ac.uk. Please indicate the name of the award in the subject line.

Your letter of application should include the following information:

(1)  a curriculum vitae

(2)  transcript of undergraduate work

(3)  reason for applying in no more than 250 words

(4)  two letters of recommendation (emailed by referees directly to awards@baas.ac.uk)