Sessional Instructional Assistant ENG263H5F Play & Games

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 91,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Toronto Mississauga invites applications for a Sessional Instructional Assistant for ENG263H5F Play & Games. The appointment is in-person, with duties including preparing materials, leading tutorials, and grading, under the Course Instructor and TA team.

Minimum qualifications include a PhD in English, Comparative Literature, or related field, and demonstrated expertise in video game studies; university teaching experience is required, with currency in subject matter strongly

Qualifications

• PhD in English, Comparative Literature, or related field.
• Evidence of knowledge of media studies and narratology desirable.
• Experience teaching at the university level; strong academic record.

Responsibilities

• Meetings with the Course Instructor and other TAs.
• Prepare handouts and tutorial/lecture notes.
• Read texts and source materials; attend in-person lectures.
• Lead weekly practical workshops/tutorials; grade work.
• Assist students during office hours or via email; complete grading for term.

Skills

Teaching experience

Video game studies

Academic research

Education

PhD in English or Comparative Literature

Job description

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Sessional Instructional Assistant ENG263H5F Play & Games

Date Posted: 09/10/2026
Req ID: 50138
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: UTM: English & Drama
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

Description: Why do we play? Game designers, philosophers, sociologists, and performance theorists have long argued that play can tell us about our development as children and adults, our search for freedom, our relationship to animals, and the values and problems of our societies. This course introduces students to Play Studies and Game Studies in the humanities by considering the reasons we play in relationship to the objects we play with, including things that are more normally thought of as games—card and board games, sports, toys, video games—as well as other sites of playful thought and action, like paintings, films, and short stories. Students in this course will encounter major scholars of play and games and key terms and concepts in the analysis of play and games. We will play and design story-rich games and we will discuss effective narrative design primarily in digital games. Students will also consider problems in play and games like cheating, addiction, and gamification.

Section:LEC0101
Day(s) Time(s): Lectures MW 11-12; Tutorials Wednesdays 12-1; 2-3

Estimated Enrolment: 80
Est of TA hours: ~145

Sessional dates of appointment: September8, 2026– December 31,2026

Salary Sessional Instructional Assistant:
$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: PhD in English, Comparative Literature, or related field and demonstrated expertise in video game studies. Evidence of knowledge of media studies and narratology also desirable. Experience teaching at the university level; strong academic record, demonstrated teaching ability, evidence of currency in subject matter.

Duties: Your duties may include: Meetings with the Course Instructor and other TAs; preparing handouts and tutorial/lecture notes; reading texts/manuals/ source materials; attending in-person lectures; leading weekly practicalworkshops/tutorials; grading students’ practical and written work; assistingstudents during office hours or via email. You may be expected to complete allgrading for all student work that is completed during the term of the appointment, up to and including final exams/presentations. Please note this course will be in-person.

Closing Date:09/15/2026, 11:59PM EDT

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please seehttp://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please [e-mail] .