I Second That Emotion: A Collaborative Examination of Emotions Felt in Course Administration Work

Abstract

Course administrators hold a unique position in academe—one that requires high levels of emotion management as part of the job. This research utilized a collaborative autoethnography to explore how workplace emotions were experienced in the basic communication course. The experiences were presented through vignettes written and analyzed by seven course administrators from programs across the United States. Four themes emerged from the vignettes: (1) acting perpetually positive, (2) (un)catching emotion, (3) rushing for time, and (4) switching roles. Each theme highlighted the multiple, and sometimes competing, responsibilities/expectations embedded in the administrative role. This research offers a discussion of each theme and informs five recommendations for managing emotions and emotional labor within course administration.