Teaching and Research Assistant-A. Ackerman-AcklinAt — CSUF - College of Humanities & Social Science

This internship provides the student hands-on experience in both teaching and research related to sexual violence, victimization and offending. As a Teaching Assistant for CRJU 370, Sex Crimes and Culture, the intern will support a course redesign, conduct classroom facilitation, assist with assignment creation, manage learning materials, and help guide students through sensitive and complex topics. As a Research Assistant, the intern will gain experience coding qualitative data on a study related to sexual and other harms in religious spaces. They will help cnduct literature reviews and contribute to the preparation of at least one article where they will receive authorship. This internship is designed to deepen the student’s understanding of sexual violence scholarship, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and the ethical considerations involved in both research and instruction.

Learning Outcomes  

1. Apply trauma-informed and survivor-centered frameworks when supporting classroom dialogue, managing course materials, and engaging with sensitive content.
   2. Demonstrate proficiency in research methods, including coding data, conducting literature reviews, and synthesizing academic sources relevant to sexual violence in religious spaces.
   3. Contribute to scholarly writing, including drafting sections of peer-reviewed articles, summarizing findings, and articulating complex concepts with clarity and academic rigor.
   4. Evaluate ethical issues in sexual violence research and teaching, such as confidentiality, informed consent, positionality, and the responsible handling of sensitive data.
   5. Develop professional skills in communication, organization, collaboration, and academic project management through regular meetings, deadline-based tasks, and participation in ongoing research initiatives.

Training  

1. Utilize a guided apprenticeship model. The student will begin by shadowing my work. They will be involved in discussions about why and how I do what I do. Then they will gradually move into a supported practice role, before transitioning into taking on portions of independent work related to both teaching and research.

2.Utilize structured workshops. I will build on the strong skills the student already has and will further teach them how to code qualitative data using NVivo. I will observe their skills in conducting literature reviews, will help them build on those skills, and then have them write sections of our paper on which I will provide timely and important feedback.

1. Trauma-Informed Teaching Labs. We will practice, in a low stakes environment that simulate classroom dynamics around sensitive content. We wil lrole play student questions and practice de-escalation techniques. We will practice when and how to share peronal information/stories as a teaching tool. These labs will build the intern’s pedagogical skill and emotional capacity.
2. Regular Feedback and Reflection Meetings. I will hold weeky meetings dedicated to reviewing research progress, reflecting on the classroom experience, discussing ethical dilemma, identifying growth areas and adjusting tasks.

Tasks/Duties  

Leading class discussion and lecture.
Discussing and reflecting on the classroom experienve with me.
Showing their ability to de-escalate tension both in role play and in the classroom.
Effectively and appropriately coding data.
Collaborating on a journal article.