Assistant Professor, African American Literature

Apply now Job no: 497601
Work type: Faculty Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Faculty
Division: Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 6,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Many of our departments, programs, and schools offer masters or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.

The Department of English and Literary Arts occupies a distinctive position in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. English has two major components—creative/ performative and theoretical/literary historical. Students bridge the two areas while concentrating in one. In addition, English has three separate constituencies—undergraduate majors and minors, MA students pursuing literary studies, and Ph.D. students who focus on creative writing (poetry, prose, and hybrid genres) or literary studies. Our programs benefit from an ethos that facilitates and encourages work and thinking that bridges the critical-creative divide.

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Department of English and Literary Arts are strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. Candidates must demonstrate ability to integrate content and issues relating to, and to work effectively with, ethnically/racially diverse populations.

Position Summary

The Department of English and Literary Arts in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Denver, an R1 university, seeks applicants for an Assistant Professor of African American Literature. This position will be responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses; directing undergraduate and graduate theses/dissertations; advising undergraduate and graduate students; and contributing to the intellectual life of the department through individual and collaborative initiatives, including their research / scholarship and service. Our faculty teach a range of courses, for general education students as well as majors and graduate students.

Essential Functions

  • Teach five 4-credit courses (or substitute two student tutorials for one of those courses) spread over three 10-week terms. Courses could be both general education and for English majors & graduate students.
  • Facilitate graduate student tutorials involving 1-3 students working on a specialized topic under supervision of the faculty member
  • Direct undergraduate and graduate theses/dissertations
  • Advise student majors
  • Research and publication
  • Service at the departmental level and beyond.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Exceptional abilities in scholarly activities as required by the department/college and position.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience with a variety of teaching methods.
  • Initiative and ability to work both independently and in a collaborative, collegial environment.
  • Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse communities or evidence of a commitment to incorporate inclusive teaching methods and/or pedagogies to effectively engage broadly diverse student populations.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Terminal degree (Ph.D. in English or related field, or ABD with the expectation that the Ph.D. will be completed by September 1, 2025).
  • Experience: Successful relevant teaching experience at the college level, which can include GTA experience.
  • A clearly defined research and publication agenda

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in English or related field. Specialization in African American literature and culture.
  • Record of excellent teaching experience.
  • Demonstrated commitment to and experience in using inclusive pedagogies.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Ability to sit or stand in front of a classroom for an extended period of time.
3. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar).

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 30, 2024.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $70,000-$75,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. C.V.
2. Cover letter           

            Our department is committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how the candidate’s research, teaching, and/or service contributes to DU’s values, practices, and actions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates can view DU’s DEI Strategic Plan and/or the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) DEI Strategic Plan.

3. An academic writing sample (about 15-20 pages)
4. Names and contact information for three academic references

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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