This seems strange. There are teaching demos and there are job talks. In my experience these are separate events, with different goals. On my ints I have been asked to give teaching demo only, or both, but I have never been under the impression that a teaching talk should be focused as a research talk. Given what you said about the committee, and taking you at your word that the directions where NOT communicated, I would count yourself lucky this happened bc it has sparred you landing a job at with some less than ideal colleagues
Did I screw up my job talk?
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You should always have a number of different talks prepped (or at least conceptualizer). When you speak on phone with SC and he/she invites you, you should ask a series of questions about the talk.
Is there a teaching and research talk?
If only one, which one?
If teaching, do you want me to address the course topic, or speak to my research?
If research, mention 2-3 options for type of talk (quant, qual, theme, etc) and ask which they prefer.Those kind of questions better prepare you and also signal that you are sharp. it doesn't matter whose "fault" it is. If you don't get offer, you may be unemployed.
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OP, you cannot connect your dissertation topic to a group of undergrads and faculty. Trust me, it isn't because your research is so sophisticated. It is because your research is useless and you lack the capacity to make any connection with a generalist audience. You failed. Nice work, tossing away a chance at a job, but you clearly didn't deserve the opportunity in the frst place.
Exactly
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You're clearly drawing the wrong lesson here. I think you should ask for specific guidelines and content of the presentation. Instead of just assuming that you have to present your research regardless of audience, faculty criteria, etc.
I know it will sound like sour grapes, but this job pays less than $40,000 and I will have to turn it down if it's my only offer. You people have convinced me that I should always present my dissertation in a job talk situation even if it's not called that.
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OP,
The first asshat was irate simply because he wanted to hire is cousin's girlfriend. The other guy is his lackey so he followed suit. The department didn't want her and we were going to make you the offer but after seeing this thread we decided you are a douche. We can't have another failed search so we will hire the bimbo.
best,
Search Committee Member -
You're a f**king idiot. If it's your only job, take it and then publish your buttocks off. What are you going to do? One job > Zero job.
Blow job > Your job.
I know it will sound like sour grapes, but this job pays less than $40,000 and I will have to turn it down if it's my only offer. You people have convinced me that I should always present my dissertation in a job talk situation even if it's not called that.
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I have an upcoming teaching presentation for an intro American class. I am going to teach on one of the standard topics, but I am going to incorporate a lot of my own research and expertise into the lesson, while still keeping it intro-level.
Even if I don't get the job, my research is very interdisciplinary so hopefully it will provide the students in the class with a new way to look at political science.
But there is no way that I would present my dissertation to an intro American class, unless the committee chair explicitly told me to do so.
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If you cannot explain your own dissertation clearly to a general audience, why should I believe you can handle any other topic? Answer: you can't. Epic fail.
I have an upcoming teaching presentation for an intro American class. I am going to teach on one of the standard topics, but I am going to incorporate a lot of my own research and expertise into the lesson, while still keeping it intro-level.
Even if I don't get the job, my research is very interdisciplinary so hopefully it will provide the students in the class with a new way to look at political science.
But there is no way that I would present my dissertation to an intro American class, unless the committee chair explicitly told me to do so. -
Angelina, I never said that I couldn't. I just don't think it would fit neatly in the curriculum of an intro American course, and I don't think I'd be benefiting students in an intro American course to give a lecture solely on my dissertation.
Again, that is why I plan on incorporating aspects of my research and interests without going too in-depth into any one particular agenda/subfield.
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I should've mentioned that I am also expected to give a separate job talk to the faculty. But even still, unless the chair gave me explicit instructions to do so, I would not lecture solely on my dissertation.
I don't think I'd be benefiting students in an intro American course to give a lecture solely on my dissertation.
That's a stupid attitude -- especially if this is your only opportunity to give a presentation during the interview. -
While I can imagine that this was an unpleasant experience, you at least got a peep behind the facade of what might potentially be your future colleagues. If some are getting this butt hurt over a teaching demo where they didn't clearly communicate the brief, what do you think it will be like to work with them on a day to day basis? You have potentially dodged a soul destroying bullet.