Director of Intensive Writing/Lecturer in Intensive Writing

The Amherst College Department of English invites applications for a full-time position as director of intensive writing/lecturer in intensive writing, with the appointment to begin on July 1, 2021. We seek candidates who are passionate about teaching and skilled at guiding students through early encounters with college-level academic writing. Of particular interest are candidates whose scholarly expertise might help them contribute courses to the college’s new major in education studies. Amherst College is proud of its efforts to achieve and sustain diversity of all kinds within our community. For example, nearly one-quarter of Amherst’s students are Pell Grant recipients, 45 percent identify as domestic students of color, 9 percent are international students, and 13 percent are first-generation college students. Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at teaching and mentoring students who are broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, ability, and religion.

 

The responsibilities of this position include teaching two courses per semester and performing the administrative duties outlined below. There is also an expectation of continued scholarly engagement. Lecturers are appointed to an initial three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three-year term as a lecturer. These terms are typically followed by five-year renewable appointments at the rank of senior lecturer. Reappointment as a lecturer and promotion to the rank of senior lecturer are contingent upon effective teaching, continued engagement with a scholarly community, and able administration. The college provides an annual allocation to support conference travel and/or research. The college and department also provide generous funding for course development and support.

 

The successful candidate’s teaching will consist of four “intensive writing” courses per year. Such courses may be structured around any topic or theme, so long as it is relevant to a curriculum in English or Education Studies. The main purpose of these courses, though, should be to offer a scaffolded introduction to academic writing. This is typically achieved through explicit attention to process, genre, structure, and argumentation. These intimate seminars are capped at fifteen students.

 

Additionally, the successful candidate will facilitate intensive writing instruction across the college by performing such administrative duties as the following: (1) developing a system for placing incoming students according to their writing instruction needs, (2) building pipelines from the college’s Summer Bridge Program and First-Year Seminars into intensive writing courses, and (3) coordinating with faculty across the college who want to offer intensive writing courses in their own departments. All of these duties will require the successful candidate to build and sustain strong relationships with the Amherst College Writing Center and the Center for Teaching and Learning. As a member of the faculty in English, the successful candidate will also participate in the governance and intellectual community of the English department.

 

Qualifications for appointment include a Ph.D. or Ed.D. (in hand or all requirements for the degree fulfilled by the start of the appointment on July 1, 2021) in English, Education, Rhetoric and Composition, or a related field. Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Prior experience teaching writing at the college level is essential, as is a commitment to classroom equity and anti-racist pedagogy. Prior experience in academic leadership and service is highly desirable.

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and a curriculum vitae to https://apply.interfolio.com/84077. The curriculum vitae should list three potential references, though no letters of recommendation are required initially. In later phases of the hiring process, the search committee may request a teaching statement, sample syllabi, and/or letters of recommendation. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but all applications received by March 19, 2021, will be guaranteed consideration.

 

Amherst College is a private undergraduate liberal arts college with 1,800 students and more than 200 faculty members. Located in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, Amherst participates with Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts in the Five-College Consortium. Amherst College is an equal opportunity employer and encourages persons of all genders, persons of color, and persons with disabilities to apply. The college is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.


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