Apply nowJob no: 517979
Work type: Regular Full-time (Benefits eligible)
Location: Tuscaloosa
Categories: Tenure/Tenure-Track Faculty

Department/Organization
207301 - Communication Studies

Rank
Assistant/Associate Professor

Position Summary
Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Detailed Position Information
The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama invites applications for an advanced tenure-track assistant professor or associate professor with tenure appointment in Rhetoric and Political Discourse to begin in August 2023. Ideal candidates will have a well- established record of rhetorical scholarship and graduate student mentorship. Multiple areas of specialization are welcomed, and we are especially interested in rhetoric faculty whose research addresses one or more of the following areas: 1) Black and/or African American rhetoric, 2) Intercultural/global rhetoric, 3) Memory and forgetting, 4) Political rhetoric. Tenured faculty are expected to be well-rounded academics who maintain a robust line of socially significant research while also demonstrating excellence in teaching and service. Previous success with external funding and the potential to collaborate with University Institutes (Life Research, Transportation, Water, Cyber) are valued but not required.

Responsibilities
-Teaching a 2/2 course load each academic year in a range of rhetoric courses at all levels and modalities.
-Developing a record of impactful scholarship
-Generating new course offerings to enrich the curriculum.
-Mentoring graduate students toward degree completion and employment.
-Serving on thesis and dissertation committees.
-Participating in the Ph.D. program for the College of Communication and Information Sciences and supporting interdisciplinary connections across campus.

Department
The Department of Communication Studies emphasizes a broad understanding of the power of communication by studying theory and practice in the areas of rhetoric and political discourse, interpersonal communication, communication and culture, and organizational leadership. The department is a collaborative environment that values the communication discipline’s rich heritage of methodological diversity. The department consists of about twenty full-time faculty members dedicated to furthering the education of nearly 1000 undergraduate majors and minors. The on-campus M.A. program has roughly thirty students, and assistantships are available. The department is home to a thriving online M.A. degree with over a hundred students, a renowned forensics program, and a cutting-edge Speaking Studio. For more information, visit our website at https://comstudies.ua.edu.
The Department of Communication Studies is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment.

Minimum Qualifications
-Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Communication Studies preferred, degrees from related fields will be considered.
-Applicants should complement the department’s research strengths and share our commitment to cultivating responsible, informed, and civically minded leaders in communication.
-Demonstrated success in research, teaching, and service that aligns with university expectations for tenure.

Preferred Qualifications

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Review of applications will begin on January 15 and will continue until the position is filled. To be considered for the position, applicants must submit: 1.) A cover letter 2.) Curriculum vitae 3.) Research statement outlining past, present, and future trajectory of scholarship 4.) Teaching statement documenting instructional effectiveness and pedagogy 5.) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement detailing approach to diversity in research, teaching, and service 6.) A list of three references with contact information Materials can be submitted online at https://jobs.ua.edu. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience. Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Jessy Ohl, at jjohl@ua.edu.

About the Division/College/School
The College of Communication and Information Sciences is home to state-of-the-art media and research facilities like the Digital Media Center and the Institute for Communication and Information Research. The College's students and programs have won several regional and national awards in multiple areas ranging from forensics and debate to being named PRWeek's Most Outstanding Education Program. The College offers bachelor’s degrees in advertising, communication studies, creative media, news media and public relations; master’s degrees in advertising and public relations, book arts, communication studies, journalism and media studies, and library and information studies; and a multidisciplinary doctoral degree in communication and information sciences. With an award-winning faculty and staff and commitment to innovative scholarship and teaching, the College of Communication and Information Sciences is dedicated to realizing the potential of communication and information to make everyone’s world a better place.

About the University
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus.

A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. The University of Alabama has R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is among the top doctoral research universities in the United States.

As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.

About Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is so much more than a college town.

It's a vibrant community that’s filled with legendary history. Located along the Black Warrior River, the city features a walkable downtown that’s complete with live music, locally owned shops, outdoor spaces to explore and local restaurants to meet every palate. With a geography ranging from suburban to rural, the area offers a variety of housing options along with excellent public and private schools and a wealth of recreational and entertainment options.

With a metro area population of 235,000, the Druid City lies about an hour southwest of Birmingham, in west-central Alabama. It’s within a few hours’ drive of Gulf Coast beaches and major cities like Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta, making it a great base for growing better acquainted with the South’s finest offerings.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Advertised: 10 Nov 2022 Central Standard Time
Applications close: 01 Mar 2023 Central Standard Time