Assistant Professor of Creative Writing



The American University of Paris invites applications for a full-time position teaching Creative Writing in the Department of Comparative Literature and English, at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 1, 2019. The Department seeks to hire a writer-teacher to join a small, motivated team in growing an undergraduate Creative Writing program (including a major, a minor, and a summer Creative Writing Institute). Candidates would be expected to teach in more than one of the existing core writing areas (cross-genre introduction to Creative Writing, fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction) and - in coordination with colleagues, the department, student needs, their own expertise, and the mission of the university - to develop new directions for creative writing. Candidates will also contribute to the English Writing (composition) program.

QUALIFICATIONS

A relevant terminal degree (such as an MFA) by time of appointment (August 1, 2019) is preferred; a creative Ph.D. or a PhD in a related discipline is desirable but not required. Candidates must have a record of high-quality publication and excellent teaching (or proof of a capacity for excellent teaching). Experience in teaching rhetoric and composition is desirable. The candidate must be able to speak and write in fluent English. While fluency in French is not required, knowledge of at least two languages and experience of multi-lingual environments are strongly preferred.

We invite and encourage women and underrepresented populations to apply. The University is an equal opportunity employer for whom diversity is an essential source of vitality and strength.

THE INSTITUTION

Founded in 1962, The American University of Paris (AUP) is a small, undergraduate and Masters degree-granting institution with a Liberal Arts core, dedicated to the advancement of the Arts & Sciences in an international and multicultural environment. AUP brings together the values of the American higher education system with its location in Paris and Europe. Located at the crossroads of American and European institutions of higher education and research, AUP facilitates its faculty’s development of an international and stimulating professional network. AUP is accredited in the United States of America by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. AUP has cooperative agreements with USA and European-based universities.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Comparative Literature and English houses our majors in Comparative Literature and in Creative Writing (with Creative Writing and Creative Arts tracks), the Writing Program, minors in Linguistics, Classical Civilization and Languages, Theater and Performance, Critical Theory, and Medieval Studies. The department has a proud tradition of excellent scholarship and dedicated and innovative teaching, and many members of the department combine critical research with creative production.

THE POSITION

Candidates should have an established record of publication in their chosen genre, and good standing in their field. Publication in more than one genre, and experience in translation, editing, performance, and/or digital and other media, are all attractive to us. We require a proven record of committed and successful teaching at the undergraduate level.

The candidate will share responsibility with colleagues for developing Creative Writing at AUP. As part of the Department of Comparative Literature within a small multi-cultural US-style liberal arts college in Paris, they should be open to collaboration and conversation within the department and with the Center for Writers & Translators, the university, and the city. Desirable areas for exchange might include, for example, performance studies, race theory, gender studies, queer theory, translation studies, writing and the visual arts, digital arts, literary studies, area studies, activism, anthropology, and community projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Four courses per year in Creative Writing (sharing responsibility with other faculty to offer the full writing program, which includes Cross-genre introduction to Creative Writing; Fiction; Poetry; Creative Non-Fiction; Advanced Projects in Creative Writing; and developing new courses as required); normally one of these courses would be taught as part of the Summer Creative Writing Institute.
• Two courses per year in our English Writing Program (teaching the skills of academic essay writing through critical analysis of substantial readings) to make up a full-time load of 6 courses per year. Candidates who do not wish to teach in the English Writing program may ask to be employed on a 4-course part-time load.
• Maintaining an ongoing record of high-quality creative production
• Service to the department (contributing to curricular development and innovation, collegial behavior, advising students)
• Willingness to provide service to the university (participation in committee work, assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration)
• Participating in faculty governance, including attending full faculty, department, and committee meetings
• Working in a professional and collegial manner with the university community
• Maintaining compliance with policies and procedures in the Faculty Manual

Faculty at AUP must have a commitment to liberal arts education in a highly international environment and pursue international research and/or creative production. We seek engaged scholars and creative producers, and have high expectations of teaching, scholarly, and creative research.

APPLICATIONS

Please submit your application to http://apply.interfolio.com/54672 including:

• cover letter
• curriculum vitae
• statement of pedagogical philosophy with evidence of teaching effectiveness
• statement of research and creative interests
• a recent writing sample
• Three confidential letters of reference  

Applications should be received by November 15, 2018 for full consideration.