2024/2025 Teaching Specialist/Lecturer: Department of Communication Studies

Position Overview:
The Department of Communication 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 regular faculty or graduate students. Openings of this kind sometimes occur for teaching evening and summer session, as well as day courses and courses offered through Online and Distance Learning. These appointments are temporary (single-semester or academic year) as enrollment demands, sabbaticals, leaves of absence and other staffing needs arise.

This does not constitute a posting for vacancies, but establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur during the 2024/25 academic year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis during the academic year. These positions may be renewable dependent upon need, satisfactory performance, and availability of funding.

Courses (usually lower division) available teaching across the curriculum to include public speaking, persuasion, interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and small group communication; in addition, we offer courses in electronic media production. The courses are primarily introductory or survey courses.

Teaching specialists and lecturers will be expected to teach undergraduate or graduate students (lecturers only) in assigned course(s), hold office hours to assist and advise students, and particulate in relevant departmental meetings.

Required Qualifications:

• MA or MS degree in Communication Studies or a related area of study.
• College level teaching experience.

BA or BS degree with at least 5 years of professional experience may be substituted for a master's degree for rare appointments. A J.D. with appropriate teaching or training experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D in Communication Studies.
• Five years of college-level teaching experience.
• Knowledge and/or training in the University of Minnesota teaching methodology.
• Must be capable of delivering high-quality instruction to a diverse student body.
  

Applicants with a B.A. or M.A. will be appointed at the Teaching Specialist level; those with a Ph.D. will be appointed at the Lecturer level.

The University of Minnesota's Department of Communication Studies continues a rich heritage of teaching and research that began in 1914 under the leadership of Frank M. Rarig and H. B. Gislason. Today, with 29 faculty members, 20+ graduate students, and 350+ undergraduate majors, the Department pursues a wide range of interests, including the criticism of public discourse, interpersonal communication, language and gender, small group communication, discourse analysis, intercultural communication, mass media studies, feminist and African-American rhetoric, communication theory, and rhetorical theory.

See the Department of Communication Studies Website at: https://cla.umn.edu/comm-studies

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

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.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).