Job Details

University of Pennsylvania
  • Position Number: 5576112
  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Position Type: Economic and Business Development


Course Assistants for MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title
Course Assistants for MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy

Job Profile Title
Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary
The MS in Social Policy Program seeks 3 course assistants for MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy. Each of the lecture sessions are held at the times below:

  • Wednesdays, 10:15am-12:45pm
  • Wednesdays, 5:15pm-7:45pm
  • Thursdays, 10:15am-12:45pm

    Course description: Economics allows us to determine the costs and benefits of social policies like cash benefits, unemployment insurance, health insurance, pensions, education, etc. Policies typically affect the behavior of agents like individuals, families, and firms, and we have to take these reactions into account when analyzing policy. Economics allows us to predict how policy is likely to affect behavior by understanding how the policy changes the agents' decisions, and what collective outcomes these myriad individual decisions bring about. For example, unemployment insurance allows individuals to sustain themselves and their families when they are out of a job. At the same time, unemployment insurance provides an incentive for people to search less hard for a job, and this ultimately increases the time they spend unemployed. When all of the unemployed behave this way, the unemployment rate in the economy tends to increase. Policy makers have to take these phenomena into account in order to design a good unemployment insurance system.

    Requirements: At least a master's in Economics or equivalent. Familiarity with public economics. Ideally, some research experience in public economics.

    The course assistant (CA) must have a strong mastery of the course content as demonstrated by relevant degrees, classes taken, and/or professional experience. The duties include the following:

    1. Managing the Canvas site
    2. Grading of assignments/class participation
    3. Contributing to the design of some of the assignments
    4. Answering students' questions about assignments, course logistics, course content, and grading. The questions will be answered on email and/or Ed Discussion, as determined by the instructor. Difficult questions are escalated to the instructor.
    5. Attending lectures or, by permission of the instructor, reading the relevant course materials instead of attending lectures.
    6. Depending on the course: design lab sessions based on past lab materials (when such lab materials are available) and hold lab sessions.

    Course Assistants can expect to work 7-10 hours/week (max 100hrs total) and are paid $25/hour up to $2,500 over the course of the semester. To apply, please submit a resume and short cover letter detailing your relevant experience to: msspprogram@sp2.upenn.edu. Please also list all available course sections in your application.

    Job Description

    Course description: Economics allows us to determine the costs and benefits of social policies like cash benefits, unemployment insurance, health insurance, pensions, education, etc. Policies typically affect the behavior of agents like individuals, families, and firms, and we have to take these reactions into account when analyzing policy. Economics allows us to predict how policy is likely to affect behavior by understanding how the policy changes the agents' decisions, and what collective outcomes these myriad individual decisions bring about. For example, unemployment insurance allows individuals to sustain themselves and their families when they are out of a job. At the same time, unemployment insurance provides an incentive for people to search less hard for a job, and this ultimately increases the time they spend unemployed. When all of the unemployed behave this way, the unemployment rate in the economy tends to increase. Policy makers have to take these phenomena into account in order to design a good unemployment insurance system.

    Requirements: At least a master's in Economics or equivalent. Familiarity with public economics. Ideally, some research experience in public economics.

    The teaching assistant (TA) must have a strong mastery of the course content as demonstrated by relevant degrees, classes taken, and/or professional experience. The duties include the following:

    Managing the Canvas site Grading of assignments/class participation Contributing to the design of some of the assignments Answering students' questions about assignments, course logistics, course content, and grading. The questions will be answered on email and/or Ed Discussion, as determined by the instructor. Difficult questions are escalated to the instructor. Attending lectures or, by permission of the instructor, reading the relevant course materials instead of attending lectures. Depending on the course: design lab sessions based on past lab materials (when such lab materials are available) and hold lab sessions.

    Teaching Assistants can expect to work 7-10 hours/week (max 100hrs total) and are paid $2,500 over the course of the semester. To apply, please submit a resume and short cover letter detailing your relevant experience to: msspprogram@sp2.upenn.edu. Please also list all available course sections in your application.

    Job Location - City, State
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Department / School
    School of Social Policy and Practice

    Pay Range
    $7.25 - $25.00 Hourly Rate
    Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

    Affirmative Action Statement
    Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

    Special Requirements
    Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.


    To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Sch-PubPol-Caster-Building/Course-Assistants-for-MSSP-6680--Economics-for-Social-Policy_JR00094108







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