Sessional Instructional Assistant - WRR201H1F: Theories of Rhetoric: A Brief History of Persuasion

Date Posted: 08/24/2026
Req ID: 49941
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Innis College
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

Course number and title: WRR201H1F: Theories of Rhetoric: A Brief History of Persuasion

Course description: This course examines the history of rhetoric, the art of persuasion, from its birth in Greco-Roman antiquity to its rebirth in twentieth and twenty-first century thought. In addition to tracking the history of Western ideas about persuasion, we will bring rhetorical theories to bear on vital questions about philosophy, psychology, media, and advertising.

Estimated enrolment: 45 students

Hours of work: 90

Class schedule: Mondays 13:00-15:00 in-person

Sessional dates of appointment: September 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026

Salary:

$55.25 per hour, plus 4% vacation pay

Please note that should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Minimum qualifications:

Demonstrated scholarly expertise in English literature, academic writing, professional writing, and/or rhetoric. Extensive experience marking and annotating undergraduate essays, total fluency in both spoken and written English, and a thorough knowledge of standard English grammar are essential.

Preferred qualifications:

Some experience marking the work of or teaching students for whom English is an additional language would be an advantage. Experience working with students from across the disciplines would be useful.

Description of duties: 

Attending lectures each week, meeting with students one-on-one, grading assignments, and answering student inquiries via email.

Please note that the delivery method for this course is currently in person. The course delivery method may change as determined by the Faculty or the College.

Application instructions: 

Applicants must submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae, and the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 application form located here: https://uoft.me/CUPE-3902-Unit-3-Application-Form to [email protected]. For filing purposes, we ask that applicants applying to multiple positions send separate emails for each position.

Closing Date: 08/28/2026, 11:59PM EDT
**

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. 

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.  

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the position. 

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.