Course Assistants for MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy - University of Pennsylvania

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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.








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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.



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