Job Information
University of Oregon Director of Composition in Eugene, Oregon
Director of Composition
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/726/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=533324&lJobSourceTypeID=831&sLanguage=en-us) Job no: 533324
Work type: Faculty - Career
Location: Eugene, OR
Categories: English, Instruction
Department: Department of English
Rank: Instructor
Salary:Starting at $75,000; commensurate with experience (updated)
Annual Basis:12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
March 28, 2024 (updated); position open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Candidates are asked to apply by submitting the following materials:
An application letter of no more than 2 single-spaced pages that demonstrates qualifications, an outline of the values and objectives you would bring to our Composition Program, and relevant administrative experience per the criteria outlined above;
A curriculum vitae with a minimum of 3 references;
An administrative statement of not more than 500 words that presents a vision of socially just program development supported by a specific example from previous experience; and
A statement of not more than 500 words on your teaching philosophy.
Department Summary
English and the Composition Program are diverse and growing units with strengths in Rhetoric and Writing, Ethnic American literary and cultural studies, environmental studies, disability studies, comics studies, gender and sexuality studies, community-based education, British and Irish studies, folklore, and a growing digital humanities minor and community. The Department and Composition Program play central roles in interdisciplinary study, the undergraduate core curriculum, graduate student teacher training, and intellectual programming on campus. We have also assumed leadership roles in workshops on inclusive teaching practices, the development of common reading instructional materials, the implementation of university-wide equitable assessment protocols, revisions to student teaching evaluations, and innovative approaches to shared governance.
Position Summary
This is a 12 month career faculty position. This appointment as Director of Composition is for an initial three-year term, renewable a maximum of twice subject to performance review (for a maximum nine-year term). The position will transition to a full-time 9-month Career Faculty FTE in the Composition Program following the completion of the administrative appointment. The position will begin no later than fall 2024.
The Director of Composition will lead our Composition Program, which serves over 7,000 students annually through its first-year writing sequence. The program has Career Instructors, a fluctuating pool of pro tem teachers, and provides a year-long teacher training program for 75 Graduate Employees (GEs). The Director will lead our program’s mission to equip our undergraduate students with the skills they need to write effectively across the university’s academic programs and in multiple contexts beyond the academy. The Director will also advance the Composition Program’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally-responsive teaching in our intellectual and pedagogical community, and to helping students cultivate a connection and engagement at the institution. Competitive applicants will have significant experience in Composition Program administration at the college level, be ready to work with colleagues to pursue a vision for the Composition Program, and have training and experience teaching college-level writing. They will also possess a research background in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing Studies broadly construed.
The Director's responsibilities include chairing the Department of English’s Composition Committee; offering approval of policies and input on budget; making hiring requests; placing and coordinating training for Graduate Employees (GEs); selecting, training, and mentoring GE Assistant Directors; supporting professional development for Career Faculty; developing and overseeing curriculum, including providing course materials; directing program assessment; coordinating and assessing upper-division writing courses; and coordinating with the Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning minor. The Director will be supported by an Officer of Administration (OA) at 0.5 FTE, an Associate Director, and an Assistant Director pool. The Director of Composition reports to the Head of the English Department and, for relevant matters, to the CAS Divisional Dean of the Humanities.
To further these efforts, we particularly welcome applications from communities historically marginalized and currently underrepresented in the academy, including but not limited to multi-lingual writers, Indigenous peoples, ethnic and racial minorities, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, and the differently abled. The ideal applicant will demonstrate commitment and experience amplifying the impact of writing instruction throughout campus as well as through higher ed policy advocacy and community outreach/service.
This position will be at the rank of instructor, senior instructor I, or senior instructor II, based on the selected candidate's qualifications.
Minimum Requirements
Instructor:
• Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Composition, Writing Studies, or related field.
• Leadership and administrative experience in writing-related initiatives such as first-year writing programs, writing and rhetoric departments, university writing centers, writing across the curriculum, and/or teaching, learning, and community centers with a writing instruction focus.
Senior Instructor I:
• Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Composition, Writing Studies, or related field.
• Leadership and administrative experience in writing-related initiatives such as first-year writing programs, writing and rhetoric departments, university writing centers, writing across the curriculum, and/or teaching, learning, and community centers with a writing instruction focus.
• Six years of post-degree experience.
Senior Instructor II
• Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Composition, Writing Studies, or related field.
• Leadership and administrative experience in writing-related initiatives such as first-year writing programs, writing and rhetoric departments, university writing centers, writing across the curriculum, and/or teaching, learning, and community centers with a writing instruction focus.
• Twelve years of post-degree experience.
Professional Competencies
• Excellence in teaching writing and pedagogical practice at undergraduate levels.
• Ability to develop socially just institutional interventions and/or curricula including but not limited to anti-racism, decolonization, critical literacies, universal design, and/or other critical pedagogies.
• Demonstrated commitments to partnerships with and professional development of all writing instructional staff.
• Ability to contribute to graduate student teacher training, mentorship, and assessment.
• Capacity to negotiate a diverse array of institutional and community constituency groups and interests.
• Demonstrated commitment to departmental and University priorities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
• Background in digital and online writing instruction pedagogies, design, implementation, and instructor support.
• Experience in community outreach and critical literacy instruction.
• Familiarity with the design and implementation of data-driven program assessment practices .
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visithttp://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us atuocareers@uoregon.eduor 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination (http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/nondiscrimination) .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.
Advertised: January 31, 2024 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: