ESC101H1 F - Praxis I

Course description: Praxis I introduces students to the theory and practice of engineering design and communication. Through an integrated suite of interactive lectures, structured design studio activities, and team projects, students explore core elements of both communication and design, both individually and in teams. The emphasis for the communication instructors is on developing critical thinking, on representing ideas in oral, written, and visual form, and on understanding the structure of engineering argument. Praxis I challenges students to explore the theories and principles that underpin engineering design and communication, to develop rigorous, individualized approaches to solving engineering problems, to adopt an outward looking and entrepreneurial engineering perspective, and to take an active role in shaping their future engineering studies.

Posting end date: July 24, 2026

Number of Positions (est.): Up to four (4) positions.

Estimated TA support: Most studio activities are co-taught with a design-focused teaching assistant; some assessment is also shared with the design TA.

Estimated course enrolment: 300 students, in 12 tutorial sections of approximately 25 students each.

Class schedule:
Lectures M 13–14, T 9–10, F 11–12 (instructors are expected to attend two of three each week)

Tutorials (Studios) T 11-13, T 13-15, W 11-13, W 13-17, (instructors are responsible for two each week, schedule TBD).

Weekly Teaching Team meeting M 15–16.

Weekly Studio Debrief Meeting T 15–16.

NOTE: schedule is awaiting final approval and times may change. Please check ttb.utoronto.ca for the most up-to-date schedule. The teaching team is not expected to be available during practical times listed in the course schedule.

Sessional dates of appointment: September 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026

Hours: 1 HCE (up to a maximum of 230 hrs)

Salary: CUPE minimum salary rates for a half course (HCE), inclusive of vacation pay, are: Sessional Lecturer 1 - $9,997.47; Sessional Lecturer 1 Long Term - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 - $10,699.22; Sessional Lecturer 2 Long Term - $10,953.96; Sessional Lecturer 3 - $10,953.96 and Sessional Lecturer 3 Long Term - $11,212.15. 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: include at least a Master’s degree in an appropriate discipline (such as, but not limited to, Communication, English, Engineering, Education, Technology Studies) with strong written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to teaching communication and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications: include a PhD in an appropriate discipline (as above), and TESL or other training/certification in second-language instruction at the university level, and familiarity with engineering communication practices, and strong performance as an instructor in Praxis I or II. Flexible availability for studio and benchmarking meetings is also preferred.

Description of duties:

• attending two lectures per week throughout the term

• attending two weekly meetings to plan the upcoming studio activities and debrief after the first studio of the week (see course schedule)

• attending a day-long orientation session for all instructors at the beginning of term (week of August 24 or 31; to be confirmed)

• teaching two, 2-hour studios for the duration of the course; preparing for studio teaching, and participating in studio planning, revision, and discussion

• evaluating and providing detailed feedback on up to seven assignments (both group and individual), and attending benchmarking meeting(s) for assignment grading

• invigilating one supervised test scheduled during the Engineering Science midterm timeslot (Monday 9-11 or Thursday 18-20)

• supervising and mentoring both individuals and teams within your studios; holding consultations with students to help them complete and improve their assignments, and develop as writers and presenters

• having the ability to convert to online duties if required

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit:

• Unit 3 application form

• Application documents must be submitted via the link found in the application form in one (1) file.
  

If during the application and/or selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please contact Chanelle Small-Reid at istep.academic@utoronto.ca.

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.

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.

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. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.