Assistant Professor, Film

Position Details

Position Information

Position Type Faculty, Tenure Track Classification Title Assistant Professor Position's Functional Title Assistant Professor, Film Position Start Date 08/16/2022 Position End Date (if temporary) Position Summary
Governors State University (University Park, IL) is a minority-serving institution inviting applications for a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor of Film, specializing in Production, to begin in the Fall Semester 2022.

Description

We seek a teacher-scholar who is committed to enhancing our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and who will complement existing faculty strengths across our Independent Film and Digital Imaging ( IFDI ) MFA program. A successful candidate is a teacher/scholar with teaching and production expertise in courses centered on short film production, cinematography, and editing on Adobe Premiere. The candidate will teach core and elective courses for Film majors in the BFA program and in the graduate MFA program. This position may also assist in delivering the general education courses in Film, First Year Seminar (an interdisciplinary humanities course) and/or Mastering College. The ability to contribute to our cross-disciplinary programs in Gender & Sexuality Studies; Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies Minor; Global Studies; or Black Studies is also preferred. Applicants with the ability to teach production online are also welcomed. We seek candidates with outstanding teaching skills, evidence of—or potential for—a distinguished record of creative activity/scholarship as well as service to the institution, discipline, and/or community. Women, BIPOC, people with disabilities, and first-generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

The position requires mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, ongoing committee and service assignments, and actively engaging in ongoing creative work and scholarship in one’s specialty area.

The Program

The Independent Film and Digital Imaging ( IFDI ) terminal degree path was launched in 2007 as an initiative between Communication (Media) and Art (Photography) at GSU . Its program objectives call for students to undertake productions in the discipline of independent film and digital imaging, in laboratory, studio, and remote production. These undertakings include the making of gallery works and feature-length digital video productions. Students will engage in exercises related to conception, development, composition, producing, photography, cinematography, directing, lighting, sound recording, sound mixing, still graphic design, motion graphic design, video editing, marketing and publicity. Students develop professional skills that enable them to be considered candidates as faculty in the applied multimedia disciplines of post-secondary and higher education, and as independent digital filmmakers and artists.

Governors State University is the only regional public comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving more than 5,500 students annually. Since its founding in 1969, GSU has offered accessible, high-value educational opportunities to a culturally diverse student body of first-generation students, returning adults, and veterans. Among the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GSU offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies.

In 2014, GSU accepted its inaugural class of first-year students as it transitioned from an upper-division and graduate institution into a regional comprehensive university with a state-of-the-art general education program. Work continues to greatly expand student academic and support services to foster student and community engagement. New faculty at GSU must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.

Through its strategic planning, GSU emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasingly numerous hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. Our innovative lower-division program uses high-impact practices to foster student engagement with ethics, citizenship, and innovative thinking. Every first-year class is taught by a full-time faculty member to ensure that students have a strong foundation for their studies. GSU is a national leader in the successful transfer of community college students to universities and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GSU for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GSU offers a wide variety of master’s programs and several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.

GSU’s 750-acre campus encompasses the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park yet is conveniently located within easy reach of Chicago and surrounding communities with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GSU serves has a number of high-performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GSU serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.

It is the policy of Governors State University, in its role as educator, employer, and purchaser of goods and services, to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.

Salary and benefits package are commensurate with education and experience. Minimum Qualifications
1. M.F.A., Ph.D. or terminal degree in Film, or a closely related discipline; ABD in the final stages of completion will also be considered (and may be appointed as Instructor). All degree requirements must be completed by August 15, 2022.
2. Knowledge and ability to teach courses in cinematography, digital film production (including fundamentals of lighting and sound recording), editing on Adobe Premiere, and General Studies Film courses, including in person and online delivery.
3. Documented record of an ability to make intellectual contributions through creative activity, exhibition, and/or scholarly publications/presentations.
4. Ability to complement the program’s strengths.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience with first-generation, culturally diverse, and non-traditional students.
2. Experience teaching returning adult students and familiarity with theory and practices of andragogy.
3. Demonstrated ability to infuse course content with scholarship related to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
4. Experience teaching courses in cinematography, digital film production (including fundamentals of lighting and sound recording), editing on Adobe Premiere, and film appreciation.
5. Experience with Adobe AfterEffects.
6. Ability to teach students using technology ranging from the iPhone to the Arri Alexa Mini LF
7. Arri certified training or experience with the Arri Alexa Mini LF
8. Demonstrable interest in emerging technologies and platforms for filmmakers.
9. Experience in producing, grant writing, film festival strategy, and requirements / deliverables for streaming platforms.
10. Ability to contribute to programs in Gender & Sexuality Studies; Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies Minor; Global Studies.
11. Evidence of teaching excellence.
12. Teaching and/or professional experience in multiple fields/subfields. Posting Date 12/03/2021 Closing Date Open Until Filled No Posting Number FA0445P Type of Search External Quicklink for Posting https://employment.govst.edu/postings/6449 Employee ID Department Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, statement of teaching philosophy, professional credits, links to three samples of creative work, and a list of professional references with contact information by December 1, 2021, to receive full consideration although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to candidate interviews.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • Doctorate Degree
   • ABD
2. * What academic discipline did you earn your degree(s) in?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
3. * Do you have experience teaching at the college/university level?
   • yes
   • no
4. * Do you have experience in developing and/or teaching online (web-based) courses?
   • No
   • No but interested and able to do so
   • Yes I have taught online courses
   • Yes I have developed online courses
   • Yes, I have developed and taught online courses

Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts
4. Teaching Philosophy
5. List of Three Professional References

Optional Documents

1. Other
2. Other2
3. Other3
4. Other4
5. Letter of Recommendation
6. Writing/Media Samples