Definition

Noun: - A teaching assistant or instructor who leads a small discussion or laboratory group (a "section") as part of a larger college or university course. A section man is typically a graduate student or junior faculty member responsible for facilitating discussions, grading assignments, and providing additional instruction to a subset of students enrolled in a large lecture class.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The professor gives the main lectures, but your section man will be the one grading your weekly essays and leading your Friday discussion group.
  • I need to ask my section man for clarification on the lab report requirements.
  • He worked as a section man for Introduction to Biology while completing his PhD.

Advanced Usage

• The term is somewhat dated and more common in specific institutional contexts (e.g., certain U.S. universities). In contemporary academic language, titles like Teaching Assistant (TA), Graduate Teaching Assistant, Discussion Leader, or Recitation Instructor are more frequently used.
• The role is defined in contrast to the primary course professor or lecturer who delivers the main lectures to the entire class.

Variants and Related Words

• Teaching Assistant (TA) (n): The more modern and general term for a graduate student who assists in teaching a course.
• Recitation Instructor (n): A similar role, often emphasizing the review and reinforcement of lecture material in a smaller group setting.
• Grader (n): A person who grades assignments, which may be one of the duties of a section man.

Synonyms

• Teaching Assistant
• Discussion Leader
• Recitation Instructor
• Tutor (in this specific academic context)

Related Phrases

• To lead a section: To conduct the small-group class session.
  • Her main responsibility is to lead a section every Tuesday afternoon.
• To hold office hours: A common duty of a section man where they are available to meet with students individually.
  • The section man will hold office hours on Wednesdays from 2-4 PM.

Noun

1. someone who teaches a section of a large college course