Assistant Professor: Border Rhetorics

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies at San Diego State University seeks applicants for the position of tenure-track Assistant Professor, beginning in Fall Semester, 2020. Qualifications for the position include a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing Studies, or a closely related field such as Literacy Studies or Communication.

Job Description:

We seek candidates with a demonstrated capacity for scholarly research and publication and a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching Border Rhetorics, an important, dynamic, and growing area of research within the field. To complement and build on current faculty strengths, we are especially interested in candidates who have teaching experience and scholarly research in one or more of the following subfields:

  • Cultural rhetorics/studies
  • Identity rhetorics
  • Community engagement
  • Rhetorical citizenship
  • Digital rhetoric
  • Multimodal literacies/multimodal composition
  • Professional writing
  • Writing program administration

SDSU Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE)

This position may also be eligible for the SDSU Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) hiring program that creates additional faculty lines for candidates who meet two or more of the following criteria:

  • Is engaged in service with underrepresented populations in higher education
  • Demonstrates knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty in higher education
  • Has experience with or demonstrates a commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students
  • Integrates understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research
  • Extends knowledge of how to achieve artistic or scholarly success as a member of an underrepresented group
  • Is committed to research that engages underrepresented communities
  • Shows expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration
  • Has research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education

To be considered for one of these additional BIE hires, candidates should identify in their letter of application how they meet two or more of the criteria.

About the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies is a freestanding academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters comprised of collegial, nationally and internationally recognized faculty with interests in literacy and the teaching of writing, rhetorical theory and the history of rhetoric, and professional and public discourse. (Please see the department website at: http://rhetoric.sdsu.edu.)

About San Diego State University

Dedicated to access and excellence, San Diego State University (SDSU) is a national research university located within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. SDSU President Adela de la Torre’s vision is to make SDSU a regional leader in issues associated with the U.S.-Mexico border (San Diego Union-Tribune Feb. 1, 2018).

SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status and ranks among the top six universities nationwide in terms of student ethnic/racial diversity. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. SDSU is seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply via Interfolio. Please submit 1) a letter indicating research and teaching interests, 2) a detailed CV, 3) relevant course syllabi, 4) a relevant writing sample, and 5) letters from three references.  Please identify relevant BIE criteria if applicable.  Review of applications will begin Oct. 15, 2019, and will continue until the position is filled.  We expect to conduct interviews via Skype or Zoom.

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.


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