Sessional Instructional Assistant ENG263H5F Play & Games

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 : September 8, 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 practical workshops/tutorials; grading students’ practical and written work; assisting students during office hours or via email. You may be expected to complete all grading 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.

Application Instructions : 
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may apply by submitting: 

1. CUPE Local 3902 Unit 3 Application Form. Download here:

1. Current CV. 

E-submissions are preferred and should be sent to Professor Jacob Gallagher-Ross, Chair, Department of English and Drama c/o  View email address on jobs.utoronto.ca

Closing Date: 09/15/2026, 11:59PM EDT
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This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.