Job Announcement

                                                                                                                                                                  

        Department of Communication Studies, 432 Oldfather Hall, Lincoln NE 68588-0329, (402) 472-2069,  comm.unl.edu

Job Announcement 2016-2017

Department of Communication Studies

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Assistant or Associate Professor, Rhetoric and Civic Engagement

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Communication Studies seeks a tenure-track assistant or associate professor beginning August 14, 2017, focused in Rhetoric and Civic Engagement. We seek a humanities scholar, strongly grounded in the rhetorical tradition and critical methods, who studies the role of rhetoric, media, and civic life. We are especially interested in scholars who explore the role of digital communication and/or new media in public discourse. Scholarly expertise may include, but is not limited to, the relationship between public discourse and civic culture, including topics such as public deliberation or engaging stakeholders in community consensus-building, and/or on the use of new media to spark citizenship practices and engagement across social divides.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in Communication Studies is required by the time the appointment begins. Applicants must demonstrate ability to conduct an active program of research in rhetoric and civic engagement, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, advise graduate students, and provide professional service.

Applicants’ research should complement the department’s scholarly initiatives aimed at understanding and explaining the role of communication in Civic Engagement (facilitating civic engagement, mediating public controversies, and organizing for social change), Health and Well-being  (constituting individual and family health, promoting healthy behaviors, and helping persons navigate relational challenges), and Identity and Difference (creating, maintaining, and challenging personal, social, and community identity in a complex and diverse world), and share the department’s strong commitment to the synergistic integration of humanities and social science scholarship. For a senior hire, a demonstrated ability to pursue external funding is desired. Candidates will be expected to contribute to the department’s interdisciplinary ties and connect with strategic research initiatives/priorities on campus, depending on research foci, e.g., Center for Civic Engagement, Digital Humanities, Nebraska Public Policy Center, Institute for Ethnic Studies, Environmental Studies.

The Department:

The Department of Communication Studies, housed in the College of Arts & Sciences, has a long tradition of excellence in research, teaching, and service. The successful candidate will join a faculty offering graduate emphases in Interpersonal, Family, and Intergroup Communication and Rhetoric and Public Culture, with a strong commitment to the synergistic integration of humanities and social science scholarship. The department enrolls over 2,700 students per semester in graduate and undergraduate courses, including 200 majors earning the B.A./B.S. degree. The department offers a Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication Studies, funding 21-23 graduate students per year.

The University and Community:

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with 26,000 students, is located in the state capital.  Lincoln and the surrounding community has a population of approximately 315,000 and enjoys many of the cultural and entertainment benefits of a much larger city, with the feel of a friendly Midwestern community. The city has a flourishing economy with large employment sectors in education, government, health care, banking, insurance, and technology. Lincoln has first-rate schools, a wonderful park and trail system, museums, and affordable housing. Recent development includes a new entertainment district next to campus and downtown. The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area (pop. 895,000) is 45 minutes away offering additional recreational and entertainment opportunities and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Application:

In order to ensure consideration, applications must be received by September 25, 2016. To apply, (1) log on to this site: http://employment.unl.edu requisition # F_160187 and complete the Faculty/Administrative Information form, submit an online letter of application addressing the candidate’s match with the required qualifications, a Curriculum Vitae (including a li   st of courses taught), and the names, addresses, and email addresses of at least three references to this site; (2) send as attachments electronically to commstudiessearch@unl.edu samples of recent scholarly work, evidence of teaching effectiveness and, (3) have sent to commstudiessearch@unl.edu a minimum of three letters of reference sent directly from the letter writers.

Inquiries about the position or search process should be made to Dr. Ronald Lee (rlee1@unl.edu), Search Committee Chair. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.