Senior Lecturer in Public Speaking

The Humanities Collegiate Division at The University of Chicago invites applications for the founding Director of the Parrhesia Program in Public Speaking. This is a full-time position at the rank of Senior Lecturer with a three-year renewable term, beginning July 1, 2018.

Affiliated with the Writing Program at the University of Chicago, the Program in Public Speaking will train students to articulate their thoughts and mobilize expert knowledge in the medium of public speaking.  Both practical and academic, the Program in Public Speaking will offer courses at multiple levels of instruction – in the history and theory of free discourse, as well as in the practices of public speaking and communication within different professional, political and disciplinary communities.  It will ask students to test the implications of ideas about speech through their application in the classroom.  The program is therefore integrated into the College’s distinctive undergraduate curriculum and reflects the conviction that public speaking can advance probing and challenging critical thought.

This position requires a doctorate in a relevant discipline, such as English, Rhetoric and Composition, or Communications, a distinguished record of teaching in higher education, and administrative experience. Practical experience in public speaking, communications and/or training in these fields beyond the classroom is desirable.

The Program Director’s responsibilities will include teaching four courses per year (at least one per quarter) that focus on free speech as both practice and content. As the founding director, he/she will have responsibilities for the overall development of the program, which will include instructors and an administrative assistant; designing the speaking curriculum; integrating the program into the scholarly and educational life of the College; and convening the Program’s faculty advisory committee.

To apply for this position go to the University of Chicago Academic Careers website at https://academiccareers.uchicago.edu, select requisition #03630, and upload a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter discussing your interest and qualifications for the position, a sample syllabus that includes assignments, readings, and a detailed description of past taught courses, and contact information for three references.

Application deadline is March 5, 2018.  Only complete applications will be considered. 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination at http://www.uchicago.edu/about/non_discrimination_statement/. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-0287 or email ACOppAdministrator@uchicago.edu with their request.