Senior Instructional Professor (Open Rank) and Assoc. Dir. of Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse

The Humanities Collegiate Division and the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse at the University of Chicago are accepting applications for the position of a Senior Instructional Professor (open rank) and Associate Director, who will assist with the management of the program and teach up to a maximum of five courses, depending on other duties. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure-track position with a three-year or five-year renewable term, depending on rank, to start 1 September 2023.

Rooted in the University of Chicago’s principles of freedom of expression and academic inquiry, the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse offers an innovative curriculum in the theory and practice of public discourse and deliberation. It strives to foster open and inclusive public discourse by developing students’ abilities to articulate and communicate their ideas effectively, thereby allowing them to engage productively in civic deliberation and dialogue. Theory-driven as well as practice-oriented, the Parrhesia Program offers courses at multiple levels of instruction, such as courses on the history and theory of free discourse and rhetoric as well as on the principles and practices of public speaking, deliberation, and dialogue. The curriculum aims to develop communicative competence within a wide variety of communities, including academic, professional, and civic. The Parrhesia Program is integrated into the College’s distinctive undergraduate curriculum and reflects the conviction that open discourse is the basis for probing and challenging critical thought.

We seek an ambitious, creative, and thoughtful pedagogue to help build a dynamic curriculum that is calibrated to the capacities and interests of a diverse student body at a highly selective research university; one that fosters and advances the College’s commitment to academic freedom and free expression. Teaching is a mainstay of the position, and therefore we seek candidates who are able to teach impactful courses on free expression, rhetorical theory, and public speaking, deliberation, and discourse. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Associate Director will responsible for all aspects of the academic curriculum of the Parrhesia Program of Public Discourse, including designing, piloting, and teaching courses, overseeing the certificate program, advising and mentoring students, developing co-curricular programming, and integrating the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse into the rich and complex academic life of the College and the University. The Associate Director will be responsible for planning, staffing, and coordinating all courses in the Parrhesia Program, including the supervision and evaluation of unionized lecturers. In addition, the Associate Director is expected to contribute to the Parrhesia Program’s co-curricular programming, experiential learning initiatives, outreach efforts, grant writing and foundation reporting. The course assignments and other duties will be determined annually by the Faculty Director of the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse.

 

A doctoral degree in Communication Studies, Rhetoric, or a related discipline is required. A research focus on public discourse and issues related to free expression is desirable. Experience teaching public speaking and discourse at the college or post-secondary level is required. Demonstrated ability to design courses and a sophisticated curriculum, as well as to develop co-curricular programming for a variety of audiences is required. Administrative experience and professional experience in public communication, deliberation, and dialogue and/or training in these fields beyond the classroom are desirable. Experience in grant writing is desirable.

 

Applicants should submit applications through the University of Chicago’s Interfolio website, apply.interfolio.com/117677 and upload the following materials: a current CV; a cover letter discussing interest in and qualifications for the position including both teaching and administrative experience; a teaching portfolio that demonstrates teaching effectiveness, inclusive of a teaching statement, syllabi from previous courses, third-party observations such as recent course evaluations or other relevant assessments of the candidate’s teaching, if available; and the names and contact information of three references whose letters of recommendation may be solicited.

Application deadline is December 18, 2022. Only complete applications will be considered.  The position is contingent upon budgetary approval.

Questions about the position may be directed to Christopher Wild (wild@uchicago.edu), Faculty Director of the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse, or Germaine Kindred (gkindred@uchicago.edu), Program Administrator.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

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 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

 


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