Assistant/Associate Professor of Contemporary Black/African American Rhetoric and Media Studies

The School of Communication and the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University (SDSU) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Black/African American Rhetoric and Media Studies at the level of assistant  or associate professor, to start August 2021.

 

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be able to teach in the long term across the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in classes such as but not limited to: graduate seminar in Race, Rhetoric, & Media, undergraduate and graduate classes in Rhetorical Theory, Rhetoric of Social Movements, Critical and Cultural Studies, Argumentation, and Media Literacy. The candidate will also have the opportunity to create and  teach classes aligned with their particular research interests, including upper division/graduate level classes. The successful candidate will also be able to teach graduate-level courses as needed on a rotational basis. In alignment with the University’s teacher-scholar model, the new hire could also teach a dual-level elective fitting the candidate’s area(s) of research interest and his/her/their research program. The faculty member is expected to have a scholarly research agenda in contemporary Black/African American rhetoric and its application and practice in media, including new, digital, and social media. The successful candidate will also be expected to provide service to the Schools and the university, to  professional organizations, and to serve on master’s thesis and comprehensive examination committees.

 

Required Qualifications: An earned doctorate in journalism, digital media, mass communication, communication, or an allied field is required by the position start date. Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in both teaching and research, in line with SDSU’s teacher-scholar model. Evidence or promise of a strong research agenda in digital media/journalism is required. Scholars with a research focus on race/ethnicity, Black/African American rhetoric, and/or media issues relating to Black/African American populations are preferred. Ability and interest to teach rhetoric, digital media and communication courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required. Early career scholars are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

Desired Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have a track record of teaching rhetoric, communication and digital media courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and/or experience in teaching undergraduate courses in Black/African American contemporary rhetoric, digital media and social media.

The ideal candidate should have a strong program of scholarship already in development that will complement the active scholarly activity of its faculty in creating cutting-edge theory, applying mass communication theory to professional practice, and examining key issues of the profession.

One of the goals of the School of Journalism and Media Studies Strategic Plan is to maintain our international research reputation in journalism and digital media. To that end, we strongly encourage applications from candidates whose research investigates digital media theories in diverse cultures, especially Black/African American culture and communities.

SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. SDSU is seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. To be in a better position to serve a fast growing and highly diverse student body, and to fulfill the University’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusiveness, and excellence on our campus, we actively seek candidates with demonstrated experience working with, teaching or mentoring students from under-represented communities.

Candidates should address how they meet two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in your cover letter and diversity statement how you meet at least two or more of these criteria

 

Rank and Salary: This is a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant or associate professor level. Appointment to the position requires that the candidate’s doctoral degree be earned by the appointment start date in August 2021. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Applications: Review of application materials will begin January 20, 2021, and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should apply via Interfolio at  https://apply.interfolio.com/81385. Candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a diversity statement, and names and contact information of three (3) references. All additional inquiries should be addressed to: Nathian Shae Rodriguez, Ph.D., Contemporary Black/African American Rhetoric and Media Studies Search Committee Chair, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism and Media Studies San Diego State University nsrodriguez@sdsu.edu.

 

About the School of Communication: The successful candidate will join a scholarly community of 14 tenure-line faculty and approximately 12 full-time and part-time lecturers. We have almost 900 undergraduate students in our two majors, Communication and Health Communication, anda top-ranked master's degree program with approximately 40 students. The School of Communication was named the 2019 NCA Outstanding Master's Degree Program. The School of Communication envisions sustained excellence in advancing communication scholarship, promoting social justice, fostering relationships, and enhancing the public good.  We enact this vision through inspired teaching, innovative collaborative research, and impactful community engagement. Faculty and students focus on scholarship across the discipline, including critical-cultural studies, health communication, intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, rhetoric, political communication, and social media. For more information about the School of Communication, visit our website: https://communication.sdsu.edu/.

 

About the School of Journalism and Media Studies: The successful candidate will become part of a school with 18 tenured and tenure-track faculty, about two dozen non-tenure-line lecturers, and more than 600 majors, pre-majors, and graduate students. Marquee programs in the School include bilingual media writing, digital/social media research and curricular initiatives, media entrepreneurship, and the Center for Science and Media. Undergraduate program areas include advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations. The School offers a master’s degree program in mass communication and media studies, as well as a master’s degree program in learning design and technology. The School is also part of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, one of seven colleges that serve a university community of 35,000 students in a fast-growing, culturally rich, metropolitan area with a loyal regional base and strong national and international relationships. For more information, visit: http://jms.sdsu.edu.

 

About the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA)

The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts comprises seven professional schools and three departments committed to the pursuit of excellence in academic and artistic endeavors. With over 5,000 majors and approximately 300 faculty, PSFA is recognized for its excellent academic programs that prepare students for professional careers in a wide spectrum of artistic, cultural, educational, social, and technical fields. The College views its connection to the local and global community as a “laboratory for learning” and educational opportunities that prepare the student to engage in the worldwide community through creativity, involvement, leadership, and innovation are a hallmark of the PSFA experience. The College actively seeks applications from candidates whose professional interests align with SDSU’s and PSFA’s strategic goals, who will sustain excellence in their research, promote student success, and continue to advance our commitment to diversity. PSFA website: http://psfa.sdsu.edu/

 

About San Diego State University:

San Diego State University is the largest university in San Diego and the third largest in California. The highly diverse campus community has a student population of over 36,000 and approximately 5,849 faculty and staff. SDSU is currently designated as a Doctoral / Research-Intensive University by the Carnegie Foundation. Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor degrees in 84 areas, masters in 76 and doctorates in 21. See http://www.sdsu.edu for more information. SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university and Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is UPDATED OCTOBER 2020 10 diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all. 

EO-1083 Mandated Reporter Statement: The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirement set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Background Statement: A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

EEO Statement: SDSU is a Title IX, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.