Senior Instructional Professor of Writing Pedagogy (Open Rank) and Director of the Writing Program

The College of the University of Chicago invites applications for the position Director of the Writing Program and Senior Instructional Professor of Humanities (open rank). In addition to the administrative duties involved, the teaching load will be a minimum of three courses/year. This is a full-time position with a three-, four-, or five-year renewable term (depending on rank), starting September 1, 2022.

Housed in the College, the Writing Program provides writing support to programs and departments across the College, the Divisions, and the Professional Schools of the University of the Chicago. Its main focus is the training and supervision of writing instructors in the Humanities Core, where, in fulfillment of the College Writing Requirement, an instructor is embedded in each section. It also provides training in writing pedagogy to instructors at other ranks, individual writing support for undergraduates and graduate students, and consultations with faculty and staff on the writing needs of specific individuals, departments, and programs.

We seek a creative and collaborative leader who offers a compelling strategic vision for the role of writing instruction across the College. The Director of the Writing Program will collaborate with the Dean and Masters of the College in establishing objectives for the program that are aligned with the pedagogical missions of their respective areas and work with the other units which support teaching (e.g. the Center for Teaching and Learning, the English Language Institute, Academic Technology Solutions, etc.). The Director will ensure that the Writing Program’s diverse programs and services respond to the needs and priorities of key stakeholders in departments and programs across the College and the Divisions. The Director will recruit, train, and direct Writing Program staff to develop programming for institutional objectives in support of all members of the UChicago community who have a role in teaching writing. The staff will provide support for assessing the pedagogical effectiveness of courses, curricula, and programs in the College and the Divisions as they relate to writing instruction. As the Writing Program supports a diverse population of instructors and students, its Director will maintain a robust commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Reporting to the Master of the Humanities Collegiate Division and the Dean of the College, the Director of the Writing Program is responsible for

  • managing the Writing Program budget;
  • supervising the Writing Program staff and instructors;
  • developing and implementing the Writing Program’s strategic goals and vision;
  • regularly assessing the usage, satisfaction, and effectiveness of the Writing Program’s services and programming;
  • engaging with professional associations to identify best practices and standards in support of Writing Program’s practices and standards.

Candidates for the Director of the Writing Program must have a PhD or equivalent in Rhetoric & Composition or a related discipline; demonstrated success in writing program administration; evidence of excellence in teaching and tutoring, ideally at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (especially in the areas of Rhetoric and Composition); proficiency in the deployment of instructional technologies; and a record of research and scholarship in the area of writing pedagogy. Experience with the assessment of learning outcomes in writing instruction is desirable.

To apply for this position candidates must submit their application through the University of Chicago's Interfolio jobs board at apply.interfolio.com/98334 .

Deadline for applications is December 12, 2021. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

Applicants must upload a current curriculum vitae; a cover letter describing the applicant’s academic interests and background; a statement of teaching philosophy that describes prior teaching, administrative experience, and pedagogical approaches that apply to writing; a description of past taught courses; and the names and contact information of at least three references whose recommendation letters may be solicited.  Optionally, recent teaching evaluations (if available) may be uploaded.  Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide further materials.

This position is contingent upon budgetary approval. Please contact Norah O’Donnell (neo2@uchicago.edu) with any questions.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

 


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