Assistant Professor - Theatre History and Criticism

Stephen F. Austin State University • Main Campus, TX

7d

About The Position

The Denard Haden School of Theatre and Dance at Stephen F. Austin State University invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre History and Criticism. The successful candidate will contribute to the School’s intellectual, creative, and organizational life and to its academic and artistic mission. The area of specialization is open; the School seeks a teacher-scholar whose expertise complements current faculty strengths while broadening the curriculum’s intellectual, cultural, and artistic scope. Scholarship and teaching may address varied historical periods, geographic and cultural contexts, theatrical traditions, methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to theatre and performance studies. Candidates whose work connects theatre history, dramatic literature, performance, and contemporary theatrical practice are especially encouraged to apply.

Teaching may include theatre history, dramatic literature and analysis, introductory theatre, and courses related to the candidate’s expertise and curricular needs. The position carries a teaching load equivalent to 24 teaching load credits across the fall and spring semesters, with possible reassignment under certain circumstances. The faculty member is also expected to maintain an active scholarly and/or creative research agenda, provide service to the School, College, University, and profession, and contribute to undergraduate and/or graduate programs through teaching, scholarship or creative accomplishment, and service. Duties may include advising, independent studies, internships, thesis or dissertation supervision, faculty promotion and tenure reviews as applicable, committee work, and supervision of student or graduate assistants.

The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and reports to the chair. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with faculty and students across areas and degree programs and demonstrate a commitment to undergraduate teaching, mentorship, and ongoing development as an educator. This is a security-sensitive position subject to a criminal record check and an IT-sensitive position subject to the university’s Computer and Network Security policy.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or DFA in Theatre, Theatre Studies, Performance Studies, or a closely related field by the time of appointment; ABD candidates may be considered if the Ph.D. is earned before the start date.
• University-level teaching experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching, advising, and mentorship.
• Evidence of, or demonstrated potential for, sustained scholarly and/or creative research activity appropriate to the discipline.
• Extensive knowledge in the field in which the individual will teach.
• Ability to teach undergraduate and/or graduate students effectively.
• Ability and commitment to conduct research and/or scholarly or creative work and service.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a faculty environment and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively and patiently with students.

Nice To Haves

• An effective, clearly articulated approach to undergraduate teaching and an ongoing commitment to pedagogical development.
• Ability to teach theatre history, dramatic literature and analysis, and introductory theatre courses.
• Scholarly and teaching interests that complement existing faculty expertise while broadening the School’s intellectual, cultural, and artistic curriculum.
• Ability to engage students from a range of theatrical interests and degree programs.
• Interest in collaboration across the School’s academic, artistic, and production areas.
• Expertise connecting theatre history, dramatic literature, performance, and contemporary theatrical practice.

Responsibilities

• Teach an equivalent of 24 teaching load credits across the fall and spring semesters.
• Teach courses that may include theatre history, dramatic literature and analysis, introductory theatre, and courses related to the candidate’s expertise and curricular needs.
• Maintain scholarly and/or creative research activity appropriate to the discipline, faculty rank, and departmental tenure and merit criteria.
• Provide service to the School, College, University, profession, and academic and general communities.
• Contribute to undergraduate and/or graduate programs through teaching, scholarship or creative accomplishment, and service.
• Advise students and, as applicable, conduct independent studies, internships, and thesis or dissertation supervision.
• Participate in promotion reviews of lower-ranked departmental faculty and, when tenured, tenure reviews of candidates.
• Collaborate with students and faculty across areas and degree programs.
• May supervise student or graduate assistants and serve on departmental, college, and university committees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree