English Faculty

The Messiah College English department invites applications for a full time/term-tenure track Assistant Professor of English specializing in writing. Successful candidates must demonstrate experience in and ability to teach narrative prose, fiction and non-fiction. The best candidates will be able to make other contributions to the curriculum, especially by enhancing our offerings in professional writing and/or by teaching courses in diverse American or global literatures. Ability to contribute to programming in the digital humanities and/or run a writing center, and evidence of commitment to departmental and institutional service are highly desirable. PhD in English or Writing is preferred; MFA with significant publications will be considered.

 

Responsibilities: Applicants must be committed to working closely with undergraduate students. Primary teaching responsibilities will include upper-level writing courses, courses in literature, and courses in our general education interdisciplinary studies program.

 

Qualifications: Ph.D. in English or Writing is preferred; MFA with significant publications will be considered. We seek faculty committed to undergraduate teaching and research in the context of a Christian liberal arts college.

 

The Program: The English major at Messiah College is guided by the understanding that language significantly shapes our identity, deepens our interactions with others, and enables us to change the world. The major emphasizes the interdependence of creativity, theory, and vocation. Therefore, the curriculum offers a comprehensive education in literature, theory, creative writing and professional writing that invites student to participate in the diverse literary traditions in English; encourages students to appreciate and critically understand the many cultures that have embraced English; fosters students’ empathy, imagination, and critical thinking; and enlarges students’ awareness of the complexity of human experience and God’s grace. Students begin the English major with two introductory courses that emphasize close reading and research methods for both critical and creative writing, and then choose from a range of upper-division courses in American, British, and World literatures; literary theories and methodologies such as composition theory, feminist theory, and ecocriticism; and writing workshops in poetry, fiction, literary non-fiction, and writing for social change. English majors can concentrate in literature or writing or complete the state credentialing program in partnership with the Education Department to pursue careers in secondary education. The department also offers minors in English, creative writing, and the digital public humanities, as well as many enrichment opportunities, including interdisciplinary study, undergraduate research and honors projects; internships with museums, libraries, publishers, and non-profit organizations; study-abroad semesters and short-term trips around the world; digital projects; and service-learning.

 

The Department: The English Department is a community of writers, critics, and teaching scholars. We are a department of six full-time faculty and approximately 90 majors and 15 minors. English students are encouraged to think independently, engage with creative and critical texts through close reading and broad research, and become writers and readers committed to vocational calling, career success, and service. The department works closely with campus programs including the Center for Public Humanities, Teacher Education Program, Office of Diversity Affairs, and Writing Center as well as off campus organization and regional schools. Our students contribute to an active culture of reading and writing on campus and provide leadership in the Writing Center, campus literary journal The Peregrine, and campus magazine The Swinging Bridge, Our faculty work closely with students to design a course of study that cultivates transferable skills for diverse employment and graduate school opportunities in creative writing, publishing, theater, non-profit organizations, journalism, communication, education, library science, business, and law.

 

The College: Messiah College is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences and has a student body of approximately 2,800 undergraduate students including 13.9% of under-represented and 5.0% international students from 32 countries and over 600 graduate students including 11.8% of students from under-represented populations. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah College is a teaching institution that emphasizes instruction but values research and public service. Strong support is given to faculty development in teaching and scholarship.

 

Diversity: Messiah College’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The college has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that enables educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and cultural intelligence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.

 

Starting Date: August 1, 2019

 

Compensation: Salary and rank commensurate with academic credentials and qualifications and experience.

 

Applications and Nominations: Accepting applications immediately. Application materials will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled; however, applications received by October 29, 2018, will receive priority consideration. Applicants should submit via a cover letter describing research and teaching background and interests; a current curriculum vitae; three letters of recommendation; evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as teaching evaluations) statement of faith and graduate transcripts. In the cover letter, applicants should explain how their Christian faith represents a strong fit with the mission of Messiah College.

 

Vitae Instructions to Applicants: Curriculum Vitae should include information related to education; employment history; scholarship and professional accomplishments; professional memberships; awards and honors received, and additional pertinent information.

 

Please apply via the following link: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/13623

 

Messiah College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or the operation of any of its programs. Consistent with our nondiscrimination statement, the College does not tolerate abuse or harassment of employees, students or other individuals associated with the College. This includes, but is not limited to, vendors, contractors, and guests on the basis of, but not limited to, any of the above categories.