Logo
University of Minnesota

2024-2025 Teaching Specialist/Lecturer: Writing Studies

University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, 55199


About the Job

The Department of Writing Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs teaching specialists or lecturers to teach courses that cannot be staffed by full-time faculty or graduate students. This includes upper and lower division courses, including First-Year Writing (some sections of which may be dedicated to non-Native Speakers of English) and advanced writing courses at the 3XXX, 4XXX, and 5XXX levels. All First-Year Writing courses will be in a blended (in person and online) modality, and advanced writing courses are offered in an in-person, blended, or online asynchronous modality.The courses we most often need instructors for are:WRIT 1301 University Writing (First-Year Writing):

This course introduces students to rhetorical principles that provide a framework for successful written communication in college and beyond. Students study and write in a variety of genres and disciplines, and in multimodal forms. The course focuses on writing as a way of knowing and learning to develop ideas through critical thinking, including analysis and synthesis. Based on the assumption that writing is a social activity, the course is a workshop format and requires active engagement in the writing process, including pre-writing, peer review, revision, and editing. Students develop information literacy and hone the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively and ethically incorporate information into their own texts.WRIT 3029W Business and Professional Writing:

In this course, students practice writing and revising common business documents for today's business world. Students write memos, proposals, cover letters, resumes, and digital and web content, as well as practice choice of appropriate formats and media. The course draws from current business practices and stresses workplace collaboration, broader issues of professional literacy, and responsive writing styles. Students practice rhetorical analysis and discuss concepts such as audience, purpose, tone, and context when writing and revising their documents. Students analyze and write from a variety of perspectives and contexts including formal (researched reports, proposals) and informal (email, social media) communication. Students also build a professional online presence through such platforms as LinkedIn.WRIT 3562W Technical and Professional Writing:

This course introduces students to technical and professional writing through various readings and assignments in which students analyze and create texts that work to communicate complex information, solve problems, and complete tasks. Students gain knowledge of workplace genres as well as develop skills in composing such genres. This course allows students to practice rhetorically analyzing writing situations and composing genres such as memos, proposals, instructions, research reports, and presentations. Students work in teams to develop collaborative content and to compose in a variety of modes including text, graphics, video, audio, and digital. Students also conduct both primary and secondary research and practice usability testing. The course emphasizes creating documents that are goal-driven and appropriate for a specific context and audience.These positions are temporary and for a single semester teaching in person and/or online courses. These positions are contingent upon student enrollment and availability of funding. Additional semesters may be available based on need, funding, and performance.This does not constitute a posting for vacancies, but establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur for the 2024/2025 academic year. All applications are kept on file until May 25, 2025, and reviewed when a specific area of expertise is sought.Teaching specialists and lecturers will be expected to teach undergraduate or graduate students in assigned course(s), hold office hours to assist and advise students, and participate in relevant departmental meetings.Qualifications

Required Qualifications:To be hired as a Teaching Specialist, an MA in Writing Studies, Rhetoric, Composition, English, or a literacy-related field is required.To be hired as a Lecturer, a PhD (or MFA or terminal MA in TESOL) in Writing Studies, Rhetoric, Composition, English, or a literacy-related field is required.Classroom experience in area of hire at secondary or college level.Ability to work with and teach diverse populations.How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.Submit the following items:Cover letter outlining qualifications, the course(s) you are interested in teaching, modalities you have taught in, and related teaching experience.Curriculum Vitae or resume.This position will remain open until filled.To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

#J-18808-Ljbffr