ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH (RHETORIC/COMPOSITION)
The Department of English at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga invites applications for the position of tenure-track assistant professor of English, beginning August 2005, specializing in composition and rhetoric. The department seeks a candidate able to teach a variety of writing and rhetoric courses at all levels (including graduate courses). The ability to teach upper-division courses in the writing of creative prose will strengthen the application. Teaching responsibilities include a 4/4 load. Qualifications: Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition; demonstrated excellence in and commitment to undergraduate teaching; excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, vita, graduate transcripts, and three letters of reference to Dr. Joyce Smith, Chair of the Search Committee, English Department 2703, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403. The search committee will begin screening applications immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Chattanooga job
All those requirements on top of a 4/4 teaching load? Is this typical? Where I work is hardly the Garden of Eden, but released time for tenure-track faculty is actually a high priority.
Loads
I think a 3/3 load is more typical. Still, I notice that there doesn't seem to be emphasis on research or professional activity in this description. Perhaps this is a "teaching position" that would not ask much research/scholarship from the holder?
Responding
To answer your first question, I can't speak to typical elsewhere or profession-wide, but that's the typical load here. Course releases are associated with administrative assignments, etc., so no one is expected to teach that load and do administrative work.
And regarding your second question, pre-tenure faculty in rhet/comp would find UTC a good home. There are opportunities to teach graduate classes, which helps with research and writing. We have a great group of rhet/comp faculty who are active in the profession and doing interesting work, thus an engaging and supportive community for someone seeking to develop a strong line of research towards tenure.
Prospective candidates might be interested in seeing our list of faculty development opportunities:
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/WalkerTeachingResourceCenter/FacultyDevelopment/FacDevOpps
James
Responding
UTC is an institution that values effective teaching and learning -- definitely. Faculty here are also quite active in research and service, though, so I'd characterize the situation as prioritizing strong teaching and learning, but also expecting strong research and service.
James