University of Virginia
Home

About Faculty Positions

Faculty Positions On the Ship

General Responsibilities

  1. Prepare and teach mutually agreed-upon courses, with at least one course numbered as upper (junior-senior) level. Three courses are taught on Fall/Spring voyages; two courses are taught on Summer voyages.
  2. Develop and lead in-country field trips for courses taught; the field aspect of the program is an integral part of the Semester at Sea experience for students.
  3. Be available to participate in the interdisciplinary Global Studies course which is a required course for all students.
  4. Be available for student contact outside the classroom.
  5. Participate in program evaluation.

Curricular Considerations

Fall/Spring voyages generally employ 25 or more faculty and offer approximately 75 courses. Summer voyages generally employ 18 faculty and offer approximately 35 courses. The program objectives and itinerary are the primary considerations in course selection.

Disciplines usually represented are:

  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Business
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • English Writing and Literature
  • Geography
  • History
  • Music
  • Biology
  • Geology
  • Oceanography
  • Philosophy
  • Religious Studies
  • Psychology
  • Political Science
  • Sociology
  • Theatre Arts
  • Women's Studies

The student population ranges from 600-700 undergraduates from a wide variety of colleges and universities across the nation, the majority being sophomores and juniors. On a summer voyage, approximately 450 students enroll.

On Fall/Spring voyages, classes meet formally at sea, are 75 minutes in duration, and are offered every other day. On summer voyages, classes are offered every day at sea. The overall field experience is considered an integral part of the academic program. Therefore, faculty are expected to suggest, assign and incorporate student field experiences, both formal and informal, into the pattern of each course. Semester at Sea presents a unique challenge for combining the itinerary, student field experience and normal classroom material into a meaningful academic enterprise.

The Faculty stipend for a round-the-world voyage is $8,000 for three courses. Room, board and a $900 travel allowance are also provided. For a summer voyage, the faculty stipend is $5,350 for teaching two courses, with a $700 travel allowance. The faculty member and any accompanying family members are responsible for obtaining any visas that must be acquired individually. The cost of obtaining these visas varies, but usually lies in the range of $200.00 per person. Non US passport holders are required to make their own visa arrangements and may require a visa to enter the United States.

Normal fringe benefits associated with faculty assignment - health insurance, retirement plans, etc. - are the responsibility of the faculty member.

All contracted faculty are assigned Visiting Lecturer rank.

Special Considerations

The responsibilities are several, but the primary responsibility is teaching, with special attention to providing framework that tie the in-country field experiences to the course objectives. This assignment is not to be thought of primarily as an opportunity for enrichment through travel or for research. Considerable advance preparation is required; minimal secretarial services are available to faculty on board ship. This assignment is physically demanding and very limited in terms of personal and family time and space. Maximum flexibility, cooperation and adaptability are essential to a successful on-ship experience. Many faculty who have served aboard ship in the past attest that they have returned to their campuses as better teachers as a result of this singular opportunity.

Minimal Selection Criteria

  1. An earned doctorate or highest appropriate terminal degree.
  2. A minimum of three years recent full time undergraduate teaching experience.
  3. A demonstrated record of teaching ability and ability to work with undergraduate students in a close student/faculty relationship.
  4. A significant level of international expertise/experience in one of the major geographical areas of focus.
  5. A record of scholarly accomplishment in one discipline or equivalent professional experience.
  6. The faculty member and any accompanying family members MUST have valid passports and visas, or participation in this program will not be possible.

Interport Lecturers

General Responsibilities

  1. Present keynote lectures in the Global Studies/Global Perspectives Course (a three-credit course in which all students enroll), and guest lectures in various other classes as requested by individual faculty members.
  2. Present lectures in the Community College program, which is an informal educational program held each evening.
  3. Be available for informal discussions with individual students, faculty and staff.
  4. Suggest field experiences in the ports of call.

Overview

The interport lecturer's primary function and responsibility is to orient the shipboard community to a particular country or region. Generally, the shipboard community will be interested in having interport lecturers discuss topics based on their own field of research and expertise. There may be a few times when one will be asked to give a general overview of, for example, the main challenges of a country, what will be faced in the future, a brief review of the political climate, etc. Since interport lecturers are often invited to be guest speakers in various classes, it is suggested that they familiarize themselves with the course listing and the roster of faculty members, to assess which subjects are being taught.

Assignment Considerations

  1. Files of candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria are held indefinitely, and are periodically reviewed for specific voyage assignments.
  2. Assignment as an interport lecturer is only for a segment of one voyage.
  3. Interport lecturers are generally paid an honorarium of USD $100 per day while the ship is at sea, plus economy air transportation to or from the port of embarkation or debarkation, plus minimal miscellaneous expenses. Room and board are provided on board ship.
  4. Often it is possible for a spouse to accompany the interport lecturer at a cost of $20.00 per day. This provision is subject to specific approval and change.
  5. There are no fringe benefits (health insurance, retirement plans, etc.) associated with the interport lecturer assignment.
  6. The Institute for Shipboard Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other Shipboard Considerations

  1. There are approximately 28 faculty members on board each voyage, teaching about 70 courses.
  2. The student population ranges from 450 to 700 students from a wide variety of colleges and universities across the United States, the majority being sophomores and juniors. In addition, there are approximately 30-40 adult passengers on each voyage.
  3. Classes meet formally only at sea, and are 75 minutes in duration.

Special Considerations

This position is physically demanding and limiting in terms of personal time and space. Maximum flexibility, cooperation and adaptability are essential to a successful on-ship experience.

Minimal Selection Criteria

  1. A significant level of international expertise/experience in one of the countries and/or major geographical areas of focus.
  2. Candidate should be a stimulating speaker, with a good command of the English language.
  3. A record of scholarly or professional accomplishment.
  4. A demonstrated record of ability to work with undergraduate students in a close environment.