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[wild_rose]

This phenomenon is certainly not limited to VAPs; those of us in TT positions who are replacing retirees experience much the same thing, and often the retiree is still very involved in the dept.  If you're lucky, as I am, the retiree is very gracious. 

Still, it can be paranoia-inducing when former students of the retiree now taking classes with you continually sing retirees praises.

Yes, I can imagine that would be a similar experience. I am concerned here, however, that my "Not-Harry-ness" is going to prevent me from getting this job.

[womanofproperty]

I am concerned here, however, that my "Not-Harry-ness" is going to prevent me from getting this job.

Instead of worrying about something you can't do anything about, is it possible to channel this energy into something that will make you a better candidate for any job you apply for? 

I've found that worrying can be turned around if I use the worry thought as a signal to immediately change gears & get something useful done.  For instance, when I was an adjunct and on the job market, I'd find myself worrying about the reception my applications were getting.  Every time this topic came to mind, I replaced the thought with writing on my current research project.  If it was midnight & I was too tired to write, I'd just spend some time thinking about my research or what I was going to write.  (Okay, I didn't manage to make the switch every time.  But often enough that I got a paper written and submitted.)

Don't let your anxiety boss you around - put it to work.

[magistra]

What do you think of independent studies?  How frequently are you asked to do one?

[wanna_writemore]

That's interesting, abdagony. I've actually been expected to attend faculty meetings, although not asked to serve on committees (for obvious reasons), and my input seems to be valued. I mentioned something to the Associate Dean a while back and he said he would pass the word on (presumably to the Dean). Then this week that same topic came up in the faculty meeting, and our Fearless Leader said it was discussed in the Dept Heads meeting.

I need to get my letter and CV in for the position; I'll probably get that turned in tomorrow.

At one of my VAP positions I was also expected to attend faculty meetings (it was a SLAC and we had monthly meetings - with good snacks and coffee, I should mention).  I kind of like that I felt included and that I got a chance to gain some perspective before starting a TT job.  As long as they're not too often and you don't get pulled into committee work or conflicts, I think this is a good thing.

[samspade]

My department chair wants to sit down with me to discuss what books I am assigning in my grad class next semester. As a VAP, I don't want to make waves, but I have never had anyone interfere with what I assign.

[magistra]

Wow.  That's arguably a violation of your academic freedom.  I suppose that it makes sense to some extent, if they need to make sure the grad students have certain topics covered or if it's your first grad class and he wants to give you pointers, but still.

I'm surprised that a VAP would teach a grad class.  How long have you been there?  Are they doctoral students?

[systeme_d_]

What do you think of independent studies?  How frequently are you asked to do one?

My department does not specifically prohibit VAPs from taking on independent studies with students, but we do strongly discourage it.  In our view, our VAP should only be teaching the courses for which hu was hired, and spending the rest of hus time writing and otherwise making huself competitive for a TT job.

However, one recent VAP told us she was very eager to do an independent study with a particular student on a particular topic because it would help her in a larger research goal.  We agreed, but reiterated the reasons for our general policy, in case she wished to reconsider.   She chose to do the independent study anyway.

[samspade]

My department offers an MA-one of the job requirements was the ability to teach this one class. I am in a joint department (I'm history), and my chair wants to make sure the class appeals to the "other" discipline in the department, but I have no clue on how to teach or to assign books other than as a historian. I spent all semester creating a syballus and choosing books, and now I am expected to explore the literature of another discipline within a month.

[greenman]

I hate to say this, but take a pull of whiskey and forget about it. :)

Take the high road by focusing on your teaching and research, and do anything you can to avoid sinking to the level of the "senior" members of the department. Ten years from now it will all be distant history, an amusing story to tell your grad students when they're on the job market.

[seniorscholar]

My department chair wants to sit down with me to discuss what books I am assigning in my grad class next semester. As a VAP, I don't want to make waves, but I have never had anyone interfere with what I assign.

I agree that it's very unusual for a VAP to teach a grad class. But I also need to point out that in certain fields and programs, some classes have a set syllabus or at least certain topics that must be covered, and also that some programs have a "gentlefolks agreement" that lower-level required courses will not cover certain books that are central to more advanced courses (since duplicating coverage can waste time that would be better used on other issues). If this is a foundation course for the MA, or a course required for some sort of state or professional certification, I would certainly hope that a department chair who has (for whatever reason) assigned that course to a VAP would sit down and discuss what must be covered, which may also include certain books.

[lerasmus]

Unusual? I'm teaching 2 grad classes a semester for the duration of my 2-year VAPship

[wild_rose]

I will be happy to be teaching at all in the fall. ;-)

How's everyone else doing on the job hunting front?

[porcupine]

Absolute silence at my end, wild_rose. Not a whisker of a job interview in sight. I did just get asked to write a chapter in an important new companion volume, so am thinking of updating the search committees with this news of a new publication and hopefully enticing them to interview me.

How about you?

[lerasmus]

I had thought of going on the market, and decided against it, since there's so few palatable jobs in my discipline this year, and the 3 of interest were open rank and I knew would get 100s of applications. Good thing I didn't waste my time - 2/3 of those searches were pulled due to hiring freezes (and the 3rd may get pulled).

[wild_rose]

Absolute silence at my end, wild_rose. Not a whisker of a job interview in sight. ...

How about you?

About the same here, in terms of whiskers. I can only hope for another last-minute VAP or something, but with all the hiring freezes....