Assistant Professor, General Education

Job Title

Assistant Professor, General Education

Requisition #

997014.5

Job Type

Permanent (for any group)

Union or Employee Group

MRFA

Classification

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location:

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

Posting

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Today, Mount Royal offers 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors, along with a wide range of diploma and certificate options. It boasts a diverse community with nearly 16,000 credit students, more than 5,500 non- credit students and about 1,700 employees.

As a student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal is known for its top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Grounded in community, Mount Royal is a place where faculty, staff and alumni can know each other by name — and where everyone is welcome. Learn more about Mount Royal's strategic academic direction at mru.ca/AcademicPlan.

Mount Royal is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self- identify.

About the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts houses the following departments: Economics, Justice & Policy Studies; English, Languages & Cultures; General Education; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; and Sociology & Anthropology.

The successful candidate will be a member of the Department of General Education.

About the Department of General Education

The Department of General Education stewards the liberal education requirement at Mount Royal University. All students enrolled in degree programs at the institution take up to twenty-five percent of their courses from general education. General Education courses at MRU engage four general clusters that are relevant to all students: Cluster 1 - Numeracy and Scientific Literacy; Cluster 2 - Values, Beliefs and Identity; Cluster 3 - Communities and Societies; and, Cluster 4 - Communications. The Department of General Education has jurisdiction over first year courses in the General Education provision, while a majority of the remaining courses are offered by academic units across the university.

About the Role

Mount Royal University is accepting applications for a full-time tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of General Education to commence July 1, 2024, subject to budgetary approval. The Department of General Education teaches courses that are part of most degree programs at Mount Royal University.

We are looking for someone to teach in the area of communications with a preferred specialization in: digital culture, literacy, and/or production; and alternative forms of writing (e.g., blogs, digital productions, podcasts, etc). For this position, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering courses that fall primarily into General Education's Cluster 4 “Communications” (https:// www. mtroyal.ca/gened). We are especially interested in a qualified candidate with a well-developed understanding of liberal education in general, who is conversant with the thematic orientations of the Cluster. Specifically, Cluster 4 focuses on: the development of an undergraduate level of proficiency in written and oral communication across a range of media. Courses in Cluster 4 further facilitate the development of a capacity for critical reflection upon various communication media and their uses.

New faculty members are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) focuses on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member establishes and maintains a research program and is involved in service to the Mount Royal community. This pattern typically requires faculty members to teach six three-credit three-hour classes per academic year. Classes in Cluster 4 have a capacity of 32 seats. The teaching service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. This pattern typically requires faculty members to teach eight three-credit three-hour classes per academic year. The successful candidate for this position will have the choice of which pattern into which they want to apply. There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

Qualifications

The successful candidate is expected to have completed (or be close to completion) a PhD or terminal degree in the area of communications (such as English, digital literacy/culture, visual arts, cultural studies, Indigenous studies, rhetoric/composition, media/film studies, etc), with a preference for: digital culture, literacy, and/or production; and alternative forms of writing (e.g., blogs, digital productions, podcasts, etc..). Preference will be given to candidates with teaching experience at the postsecondary level and who will be able to teach first-year Cluster 4 courses in the Department of General Education.

The successful candidate:

(1) will be a passionate educator who takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and scholarship;

(2) is expected to teach Cluster 4 foundation courses with the potential of teaching upper tier courses;

(3) may have the opportunity to develop and teach new courses that articulate the goals and mandate of the Cluster 4 and General Education broadly;

(4) will facilitate conversations across different disciplinary and pedagogical approaches by working collaboratively with other Clusters;

(5) will demonstrate commitment to enhancing diversity and diversity awareness; and

(6) will be expected to contribute to the department, faculty, university, and wider profession.

We encourage scholars with an active Community Engagement portfolio.

If the candidate wishes to apply for the teaching/scholarship/service pattern, then they must have a scholarship plan that is meaningful and appropriate to an undergraduate institution where teaching is the primary focus. The scholarship program may be discipline-focused and/or in the area of communication education research.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Closing Date: February 29th 2024. The selection committee will begin reviewing applications on March 4, 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews are expected to occur in April 2024.

Interested applicants should submit the following materials using the “Apply to the Job” link below:

1. Cover letter that describes: the candidate's interest in the position; qualifications; desire to apply for TSS or TS work pattern; and potential contributions to Mount Royal University;

2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV);

3. A Personal EDI Statement, if desired;

4. If the candidate is applying for TSS, please include a Research Portfolio, including

· Statement of research interests/expertise

· Proposed research plan for the upcoming 5-year period

· Sample publication (PDF only—maximum of 1 publication)

5. Teaching Portfolio, including

· Statement of teaching philosophy, interests and accomplishments, if available (maximum 3500 words)

· Sample Syllabi that demonstrate teaching across junior and senior undergraduate levels, including sample syllabi from criminology and/or research methods course, if available

· Sample student evaluations and peer/chair teaching evaluations if available

Academic reference letters are not required with the application, but as the competition progresses, candidates may be asked to provide three confidential references.

Please title your .pdf document as follows: Last Name, Requisition Number, Document Title.pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Shane Gannon, Chair of the Department General Education at [email protected].

If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on the accommodation request.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.