Lecturer or Teaching Specialist 2024-25 - Creative Writing

About the Job

Overview
The Creative Writing Program in the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts is accepting applications for lecturers or teaching specialist to teach courses that may occur in Fall 2024 (August 26, 2024 - January 8, 2025); or Spring 2025 (January 9, 2025 - May 25, 2025). The Creative Writing Program occasionally needs lecturers or teaching specialists to teach courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty members or graduate students. This search will establish a “pool” of instructors if such openings occur during the 2024/25 academic year. Applicants may be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis throughout the academic year.

Teaching may be for day or evening courses, and primarily will be for in-person instruction. Appointments may or may not be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Courses are primarily introductory undergraduate courses.

Responsibilities:
• Prepare for and teach classes in ways that best help students to learn
• Create Canvas course sites and syllabi that conform to department and University policies
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in field of practice
• Hold regular office hours that are clearly announced in advance
• Respond to student needs and questions professionally and in a timely manner
• Evaluate student learning and assign grades
• Communicate instructor evaluation process to students
• Receive department and University emails and respond in a timely manner
• Understand and follow all relevant University policies and procedures and participate in trainings, as required
• Participate in relevant departmental meetings
• Submit annual review materials

Qualifications

Lecturer

Required qualifications

• MFA or PhD
• A minimum of one year college teaching experience in designated field

Preferred qualifications

• Two or more years college teaching experience in the course areas that are to be offered
• Broad familiarity with creative writing and literature
• One published book (or book in press)

Teaching Specialist

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of one year college teaching experience in designated field

Preferred qualifications:

• M.A. degree in English or a closely related field
• Two or more years college teaching experience in the course areas that are to be offered
• Broad familiarity with creative writing and literature
• One published book (or book in press)

Applicants with a BA or MA will be hired as teaching specialists; applicants with an MFA or PhD will be hired as lecturers.

About the Department

The Department of English serves approximately 400 majors and thousands of University of Minnesota undergraduate students. The teaching, scholarship and other creative work of the English faculty covers a broad range that includes literature, language, creative writing, literacy and rhetorical studies, linguistics and cultural inquiry, as well as the theories and documents that inform and critique these disciplines. For additional information, please see our website at http://english.cla.umn.edu/ .



About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution . CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.



Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA



Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range:

English pays Teaching Specialists on a per course basis as follows:

Undergraduate or graduate credit courses: $6500 - $8000 per course.

English pays Lecturers on a per course basis as follows:

Undergraduate or graduate credit courses: $6500 - $9000 per course ;

depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Activities" page and uploading documents there.

Please attach the following three documents:

1. Cover letter indicating your areas of research, creative activity, and teaching experience, with in depth discussion of how your pedagogical practice would help advance the program’s equity, diversity, and inclusivity goals.
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Contact information for three professional references.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).