Assistant Professor, Literary Arts and Studies

The Department of Literary Arts and Studies in the Division of Liberal Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, invites applications for a full-time faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor to commence fall 2022.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience in teaching, scholarship, professional practice, and/or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.

We are seeking a colleague with expertise in either Asian American or Latinx literatures and cultures, with intersectional emphasis on gender and transgender studies, and nontraditional literary forms, such as visual narratives (film, graphic novels), performance, and digital media. Additional specialization, such as scholarship and/or artistic-literary practice, in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or digital media is welcome.

Colleagues are expected to teach six courses per academic year, including one section of First-Year Literature Seminar, which is required of all incoming RISD students. There is also the prospect of teaching in either of two interdisciplinary Masters programs housed in the Liberal Arts Division: Global Arts and Cultures and Nature, Culture and Sustainability Studies.


Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD by fall 2022. We will also consider candidates who hold an MFA in Creative Writing who demonstrate substantive experience in research and scholarship. For both PhD and MFA degree holders, we will be looking for evidence of ongoing and potential professional achievement. Demonstrated record of successful teaching at the undergraduate level is required and pedagogical ability will be a part of the selection process at the finalist stage.

Department /RISD Description

Rhode Island School of Design is an undergraduate and graduate college of art and design with approximately 2,400 graduate and undergraduate students. RISD supports faculty professional practice with sabbaticals, pre-critical review leave, conference funds, and professional development grants. RISD has a critical review process, which is very similar to the tenure process. For more information about RISD, please visit www.risd.edu.

Rhode Island School of Design has a diverse selection of Liberal Arts courses, which form a third of the credits required for undergraduate degrees. The Department of Literary Arts and Studies offers approximately 80 electives per year in literary/cultural studies, creative writing, and theory. While offering both traditional or “heritage” literature and creative writing courses as well as those that are more experimental and interdisciplinary, our department’s curriculum is shaped to enrich the intellectual and creative life of the art and design student. The Department of Literary Arts and Studies also offers a Concentration program that allows students to forge their own entryway into the theorization or creation of literary works. We are at present nine full-time and twenty-four part-time faculty members.

Faculty Responsibilities

Full-time teaching responsibilities across the college is six courses per year. In addition to teaching, full-time faculty are expected to maintain a dynamic professional practice, serve on college committees, advise students, participate in curriculum development and other departmental activities and projects, and contribute to the vibrancy of the intellectual life of the college.

Union: Yes

Pre-employment Requirement

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following to the appropriate links in the section labeled
“Documents Needed to Apply”:

1.) Letter of intent

2.) Curriculum vitae

3.) A statement of teaching philosophy

4.) Evidence of teaching excellence (including syllabi)

5.) Portfolio of recent professional work (Around 20 pages, preferably in one PDF)


Names and contact information for three references are requested as part of the application process. Requests for reference letters are sent directly to the reference providers at the semi-finalist stage.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by November 8, 2021 are assured full consideration.

EEO Statement

RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.


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