Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Composition

The Department of Rhetoric and Composition at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences. We seek candidates interested in teaching a range of composition and rhetoric courses and whose research focuses on issues of multicultural pedagogy, language diversity, multiple literacies, or equity issues in pedagogy. Initial appointment to this position will be for a term of 4 years beginning fall semester of 2021, and will carry the rank of Assistant Professor.

Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a private four-year, highly selective national liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the US to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into PhD programs.

The mission of Department of Rhetoric and Composition at Oberlin College is to provide instruction in communication skills in writing and speaking, and to support the College of Arts and Sciences Writing Requirement. Separate from the Department of English and the Creative Writing Program, it is an academic department with a full range of courses, from introductory to advanced, and a nationally known peer tutoring program. The Department supports both a Minor in Rhetoric and Composition and an Integrative Concentration in Journalism. It is committed to instruction that supports language diversity and challenges hegemonic discourse conventions.

The incumbent will teach the standard teaching load (4.5 courses per year) in the general area of speaking, writing, and multicultural practices of rhetoric. Part of the incumbent’s teaching load will include training peer tutors to help students develop public speaking skills of discussion and presentation. The incumbent will also be expected to engage in sustained scholarly research and/or other creative work appropriate to the position and participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including academic advising and service on committees.

Among the qualifications required for appointment is the PhD degree (in hand or expected by first semester of academic year 2021). Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable. Oberlin College is committed to student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations.

Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.

To apply, candidates should visit the online application site found at https://jobs.oberlin.edu. A complete application will be comprised of: 1) a Cover Letter describing your teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service, detailing any connections to supporting an inclusive learning environment; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) an unofficial graduate transcript; 4) a statement detailing your commitment to and expertise in diversity and equity in teaching; 5) a research statement that includes how you will support undergraduate research and, if applicable, how you might incorporate undergraduate students into your research program; and 6) Letters of Reference from three recommenders.* All application materials must be submitted electronically through Oberlin College and Conservatory’s online application process at: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/

*By providing three letters of reference, you agree that we may contact your letter writers.

Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. Completed applications received by November 15, 2020 will be guaranteed full consideration.

Questions about the position can be addressed to Jan Cooper, Chair of Rhetoric and Composition at Jan.Cooper@oberlin.edu.