COMMUNICATION STUDIES - The Communication Studies Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin September 16, 2024. The position is for a Basic Course Director to coordinate and oversee nearly 200 sections of the GE Oral Communication course that the Communication Studies Department offers each year. We seek a scholar in Communication Studies with a focus on communication pedagogy and a proven record of successful teaching in Oral Communication courses. The position is open regarding methodological approach and secondary areas of emphasis within the candidate’s scholarly agenda.
The Basic Course Director position is a new position in the Communication Studies Department. Primary administrative responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing the GE Oral Communication course offerings to ensure an academically rigorous and consistent experience for students, onboarding new instructors hired to teach GE Oral Communication courses, supporting current faculty teaching GE Oral Communication courses, participating in assessment of the Oral Communication curriculum, and revising GE Oral Communication curriculum, as needed. This position includes designated assigned time to support the administrative requirements of the position.
Primary teaching responsibilities will be GE Oral Communication courses (typically Public Speaking). Additionally, the successful candidate may also have opportunities to teach lower-division courses in Communication Theory, Small Group Communication, Organizational Communication, Media Studies, and/or Argumentation and Advocacy. Depending on department teaching needs and the candidate’s teaching interest, teaching assignments may occasionally include upper-division courses in the major.
Non-instructional duties, beyond those associated with administering the GE Oral Communication course, include engaging in productive research and scholarship, service, and academic advising and mentorship of undergraduate students.
Salary - Anticipated Hiring Range: $81,888 - $87,550/year, $6,824-$7,296/month
(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)
Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units (three courses) per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member.
At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences, and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equal-opportunity employer.
Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Ph.D. in Communication Studies or closely related discipline, earned or nearing completion (degree completion expected no later than August 2024).
• Demonstrated experience teaching Public Speaking, or similar Oral Communication, course.
• Strong record of scholarship or evidence of potential for scholarly and/or creative achievement in the subfield of Communication Pedagogy and Communication Studies field more broadly.
• Demonstrated experience in inclusion, diversity, and educational equity.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience with program administration, basic course oversight, coordination of instructors or teaching assistants, and/or other related supervisory responsibilities.
• Teaching experience related to secondary teaching needs of the department.
• Potential for grant development related to Oral Communication courses.
• Demonstrated interest in developing interdisciplinary and cross-campus relationships to support GE Oral Communication course delivery and success.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.
Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.
Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.
For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. At Cal Poly, tenure-line faculty are expected to establish an on-campus presence.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT The Communication Studies department, in the College of Liberal Arts, has 11 tenure-associated faculty and over 30 lecturers, approximately half of whom teach full-time. We offer a B.A. in Communication Studies and a Communication Studies minor. Currently, we have nearly 400 majors and 50 minors. We also serve students across the university through our many General Education offerings. Most notably, each year, the Communication Studies department offers nearly 200 sections of Public Speaking, supporting nearly 5,000 students in completing their Oral Communication GE requirement.
The department’s website is https://coms.calpoly.edu .
HOW TO APPLY To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/ , complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #533829. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:
- Current curriculum vitae
- Cover Letter (please address the feasibility of conducting research, scholarship, and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program and given the administrative responsibilities of the Basic Course Director position)
- Diversity Statement: Statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship, and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field, and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly
- Unofficial transcripts showing the highest degree earned; official transcripts showing the highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment.
- Basic Course Director Statement of Intent: Statement outlining how you would approach the role of the Basic Course Director and identifying 2 - 3 potential action items for the first year in the position (for the purpose of this statement, keep in mind that this is a new position in the department).
- Statement of teaching philosophy.
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness, including quantitative and qualitative student evaluations.
- Sample syllabus for Public Speaking or related Oral Communication course.
- Evidence of Research, Scholarship, or Creative Activities.
Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the individuals listed by applicants. Official sealed transcript showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment.
Projected Start Date: September 16, 2024
Review Begin Date: January 8, 2024. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. Applications received after this date may be considered.
For questions about the position please contact Dr. Brie Adams via email at aadams45@calpoly.edu .
Advertised: Dec 05 2023 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
Closing Date/Time:
