The Department of Communication Studies at Southwestern University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in Rhetorical Studies beginning Fall of 2024. Faculty at Southwestern are expected to teach a standard course load of five courses per year (either 2-3 or 3-2) and maintain an active research agenda, as well as participate in university governance, departmental collaboration, and academic advising. Given the department’s distinctive focus on critical/cultural theory, qualitative research methods, and social justice in both our teaching and scholarship, we are particularly interested in recruiting a departmental colleague whose approach to teaching rhetoric emphasizes inclusive, critical pedagogical lenses and applies social justice perspectives. The ideal candidate will have received a Ph.D. in Communication, or a closely allied and/or interdisciplinary field, and have had extensive coursework in Communication.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate an ability to develop and teach courses in rhetoric and at the intersections of rhetoric and media studies that complement but do not substantially overlap our existing expertise in public memory, space/place studies, visual/material communication, gender, women’s rights, surveillance, mediated representations of Muslims, feminist and queer of color critique, and media representations of Latinidad. We envision this colleague having expertise at the intersection of communication and Race & Ethnicity Studies, Latin American & Border Studies, Latina/o/x Studies, and/or African and African American Studies, but are also open to other areas of specialization such as courses and/or research agendas focused on the rhetorical dimensions of anti-colonialism, disability, environmentalism, health, political discourse, race and whiteness, queer theory, and closely allied topics.

The teaching responsibilities will include some combination of core courses in the major and newly developed elective courses in the candidate’s area(s) of interest. This person will be responsible for teaching, on a rotating basis, Critical/Cultural Communication Studies (our introductory course), Contemporary Rhetorical Theory, Critical/Cultural Research Methods, and Capstone Research Seminar. All of these core courses emphasize critical and qualitative methodologies. In addition, this person will develop electives in their area of expertise. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to excellence and creativity in undergraduate teaching and an active research program.

Candidates who have the ability to bridge communication studies with other interdisciplinary programs are encouraged to apply. We especially encourage applications from those able to contribute to the university’s strong interdisciplinary programs in Race and Ethnicity Studies, Latin American and Border Studies, Environmental Studies, Feminist Studies, International Studies, and a variety of other interdisciplinary minors. In line with Southwestern University’s commitment to diversity, the department is especially interested in attracting candidates from underrepresented minority groups, particularly those with demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion.

The Communication Studies Department and Southwestern University are committed to recruiting candidates who both excel in teaching and research/creative work and can best serve our diverse student population. As of the fall 2022 semester, 36% of students enrolled at Southwestern were members of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education and we are committed to further increasing and supporting the diversity of our students, faculty, and curriculum. The Department seeks candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to, and will take an active role in, enhancing diversity, inclusion, and equity across the University, including fostering a sense of community and belonging for students. In your application materials, please include specific and detailed information about how you have worked to enhance diversity and inclusion through your teaching practices, research, and/or service experiences within the college or university setting.

For additional information about the department, please visit our webpage at https://www.southwestern.edu/communication-studies/.

To apply, candidates should submit the following information by September 22, 2023, to Interfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/129808:

• a cover letter, including a description of the candidate’s ability to teach both existing core courses and newly developed elective courses
• a C.V.
• detailed evidence of teaching excellence
• a brief statement of teaching philosophy
• a brief statement of research agenda
• transcripts
• three confidential letters of recommendation to be sent to Interfolio

Initial interviews will be conducted by phone. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas) is a selective undergraduate residential liberal arts institution located in the greater Austin area. Established in 1840, Southwestern enrolls approximately 1,500 students and maintains a student–faculty ratio of 11 to 1. The university provides a highly interdisciplinary and holistic education that values high-impact learning experiences, such as study abroad, internships, and faculty-student research. A member of the recently formed Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance, Southwestern is committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and encourages applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in academia. Additional information about the university can be found at our website: www.southwestern.edu.

Southwestern University is committed to inclusive excellence that provides access and support, enables participation, and removes barriers so that all people within our community are empowered and can thrive in a campus that is welcoming and validating. Inclusion is the deliberate effort to create an environment in which people from all backgrounds - including but not limited to people of color (race, ethnicity, nationality), sex, sexual identity, gender identity, age, physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrants, and the intersection of these identities - are not only included but welcomed, valued, respected, considered, and supported within our community. People from marginalized (i.e., devalued) and/or minoritized (i.e, underrepresented) groups are heard, seen, respected and accepted in all aspects of our community.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time appointment begins. Sponsorship for an employment-based visa may be an option depending upon university needs and the applicant’s qualifications.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University’s Background Check Policy process. Southwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Southwestern University is an E-Verify Employer. EOE/M/F

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