Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area (e.g., Latin America), an ethnic group, or any other group (e.g., women's studies, urban affairs).

Tasks

• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
• Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
• Prepare course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, and on career issues.
• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
• Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
• Select and obtain materials and supplies such as textbooks.
• Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
• Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
• Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
• Participate in campus and community events.
• Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
• Act as advisers to student organizations.
• Incorporate experiential or site visit components into courses.
• Perform administrative duties such as serving as department head.
• Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.

Abilities

• Written Comprehension

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Oral Expression

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Oral Comprehension

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Speech Clarity

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Inductive Reasoning

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Written Expression

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Deductive Reasoning

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

• English Language

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Education and Training

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• History and Archeology

  Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

• Sociology and Anthropology

  Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

• Foreign Language

  Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

• Philosophy and Theology

  Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Skills

• Writing

  Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Instructing

  Teaching others how to do something.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Reading Comprehension

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Active Listening

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Active Learning

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Social Perceptiveness

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Learning Strategies

  Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

• Persuasion

  Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

• Time Management

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Monitoring

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Coordination

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Judgment and Decision Making

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Service Orientation

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Complex Problem Solving

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Detailed information about this career can be found at the ONET Online website.