[lbo-talk] [Marxism] Adjuncts and academic freedom

[Miles Jackson]

Ismail Lagardien wrote:
> I have the most exceptional relationship with my students; I start from the position of having respect for them, and that I am there to teach and listen to them, that they are adults with an interest in society. 
>
> The problems I do have are personal. I have reached the conclusion that I should not have done this PhD, and that I should not be looking for a job in Academia. Although I did the PhD for deeply personal reasons (South Africa's department of coloured affairs rejected and I had to show those motherfuckers that I could do it) it seems like I am "unhirable" because of my age and lack of publications. I started and finished the PhD in my 40s  after many years as a journalist and other things... Oh, and then there is the thing about my being a post-positivist and a Marxist; getting a position in a country where "political science" is based on very, very mainstream methods seems impossible.
>
>
> So... to recap, other than the fact that I am in credit card debt for the first time in my life (and it sucks), I have no complaints about being an adjunct. 
>
> Ismail
>
>
> Aluta Continua!
>   
I worked as an adjunct for about 10 years before I landed a tenure-track 
job.  It's brutal.  For me, the worst thing was the lack of job security 
(will my class at X fill next term?  Where could I teach if it gets 
cancelled?).  If you really like teaching, apply for faculty positions 
at community colleges.  The pay is lower than in 4-year colleges and 
universities, but you get to interact with students in relatively small 
classes.

Miles