91ÅÝܽ

Sessional Instructors

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES SESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS – Fall 2025

The Faculty of Health Sciences requires Sessional Instructors to teach the following course during the Fall 2025 term. The closing date for all postings is Sunday, July 20 at 23:59.

Recommended Qualifications:

•             Doctoral degree

Minimum Qualifications:

•           Graduate degree in a related field with demonstrated expertise in the content areas covered by the course, as identified in the Calendar description and sample course outline

•           Experience teaching university-level courses

•           Evidence of teaching ability commensurate with the responsibility of teaching the assigned credit course and of carrying out the duties to the effective conduct of that course.

For the Sessional Instructor Pay Rates please visit: 2022-2024 Wage Schedules

Salary and conditions are determined by the

Course Calendar descriptions are located at /students/calendar/2025/summer/courses.html

Sample course outlines are shown on the page(s) following this ad.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should send, by the closing date shown above, one PDF document containing (1) a cover letter addressing the minimum qualifications for this posting and (2) a CV to:

Sessional Applications

c/o Dr. David Whitehurst, Associate Dean, Education Faculty of Health Sciences, 91ÅÝܽ Email: fhs_sessional@sfu.ca

In your email, include the following questions along with your responses:

1.       Do you currently work for, or have you worked in the past for, 91ÅÝܽ? (Respond yes or no. If yes, please provide your SFU ID, student/employee number if known.

2.       Are you legally entitled to work in Canada? (Respond yes or no).

3.       If you are currently on a work or study permit, please indicate expiry date and all conditions associated with your permit, if applicable.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. 91ÅÝܽ is committed to employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified people including visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ-identified persons.

Course offerings are subject to budgetary approval and enrolment figures.

The information submitted with your application is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468, s. 27(4)(a)), applicable federal and provincial employment regulations and requirements, the University's non-academic employment policies and applicable collective agreements.

The information is related directly to and needed by the University to initiate the employment application process. The information will be used to contact references supplied by you, evaluate your qualifications and complete the employment process by making a hiring decision.

If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact the Executive Director, Human Resources, 91ÅÝܽ, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6. Telephone 778-782-3237.

Sample course outline: HSCI 485-3

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

HSCI 485-3 – Senior Seminar in Mental Health and Addictions

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

Treatment of current issues in mental health and addictions from a population and public health perspective. Students will examine several topics from theoretical, methodological and policy perspectives. Prerequisite: 90 units, including at least 15 upper division HSCI units with a minimum grade of C-. Other prerequisites may vary according to topic.

COURSE DETAILS

Substance use disorders and related harms continue to be a public health problem in Canada. Although the etiology of substance use disorders continues to be debated, a biopsychosocial approach has been proposed and is inclusive of several perspectives on and theories of addiction. In this course, after first reviewing basic terminology, diagnostic criteria, the epidemiology of substance use and recovery in Canada, and major theories of addiction, a biopsychosocial approach to substance use disorders will be examined within a recovery-oriented system of care framework. Other related topics will include the history of drug policy and treatment in Canada; alternative policy models to the criminalization of substance use; harm reduction strategies and interventions; Indigenous perspectives on substance use disorders; contributing factors and potential solutions to the North American drug poisoning crisis; recovery-oriented treatment interventions; and the prevention of substance use disorders. Students will have opportunities to critically evaluate local and national substance use policies and services. Although relevant approaches in international jurisdictions will be explored, there will be a major emphasis on BC and Canada as a whole.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

•             Explain key course terms, concepts, and theories/models (e.g., substance use disorder, recovery, and the biopsychosocial model)

•             Critically evaluate research methods used to measure substance use and examine recovery-related outcomes

•             Describe Indigenous perspectives on the causes of and treatments for substance use disorders

•             Explain a recovery-oriented system of care

•             Explain evidence-based, recovery-oriented substance use treatments and harm reduction interventions

•             Critically evaluate current programs and policies in BC and Canada addressing substance use disorders

•             Recommend policies based on a literature review of a topic of your choice related to substance use disorders 

•             Demonstrate effective communication skills through a facilitated discussion and group work

CANVAS

There is a Canvas site for the course; I encourage you to use it to ask questions, discuss course material, share your writing, and post course-related links. Please also use Canvas for the submission of assignments. I will post announcements using Canvas. At the beginning of the term, please feel free to upload a recent photo of yourself to your Canvas account and to complete your profile. I will use the Canvas roster to learn your names. Please check Canvas regularly for new announcements, content, etc.

COURSE FORMAT

This course will be delivered in the form of an interactive seminar. Accordingly, preparation and participation will be essential to success. Learning preferences vary across students, so I have incorporated a variety of teaching strategies. The course will include in-class activities, brief lectures, and short videos. In-class discussions will be a central focus. The seminar will be a place where you can explore ideas, express your opinions, and question assumptions. I will be asking you to share your written work with your peers throughout the semester. During the second half of the course, you and your peers will take on leadership roles by presenting course material, designing learning activities for the class, and facilitating a significant portion of the discussion each day.