Job Information
University Of Denver Associate Director Of The Debate Across The Curriculum Progr in Denver, Colorado
The University of Denver is a leading university in the Rocky Mountain region and is classified as an R1: Doctoral/Research University, with very high research activity. The university serves approximately 12,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. Denver is a thriving city, with the population of the metropolitan area approaching 3 million.
The University of Denver's vision is to be a great private university dedicated to the public good. The Department of Communication Studies calls students to engage in communication meaningfully, creatively, ethically, and with intellectual curiosity, to enhance their personal and public lives, as well as contribute to a sustainable common good. The university and department value diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing that our success is dependent on how well we engage the rich diversity of constituents and actively promote a more culturally responsive and just society. We are committed to hiring faculty who support this mission. More information about the mission and programs at DU can be found on the departmental website: www.du.edu/ahss/comn.
Position Summary
The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Denver seeks to hire a full-time Assistant Professor of the Practice to serve as the Associate Director of our Debate Across the Curriculum Program (to learn more about our teaching and professional faculty series, please see https://duvpfa.du.edu/teaching-and-professional-faculty/). Faculty members in the Professor of the Practice Series have expertise, achievements, and reputations developed over a sustained period of time that qualify them to be distinguished professionals in an area of practice, although they might not have academic credentials or experience. A primary function of faculty members in the Professors of the Practice Series is to provide students with connections to the professional fields the students will
The Debate Across the Curriculum Program is a campus-wide pedagogical initiative that provides faculty the opportunity to include expert-facilitated, non-competitive debates in their classrooms, with debate topics expressly formulated to enhance active learning of the particular issues addressed in the course. The program is designed-and has been proven-to foster students' willingness and capacity to engage peers across lines of difference and disagreement as a means of empowering them to engage in civic discourse on campus and beyond (for more information on the Debate Across the Curriculum Program see https://www.du.edu/news/students-find-voice-great-debate).
This is a non-tenure track position that provides a three-year contract with full benefits and is renewable with the possibility of promotion, contingent upon the continued availability of position funding. (Promotions to associate and full professor of the practice come with longer contracts, contingent upon the continued availability of position funding.)
Essential Functions
The Associate Director will be responsible for working directly with interested faculty in scheduling, designing, and facilitating classroom debates. The Associate Director will have a job responsibilities reassignment from department teaching and service that has them report to the Program Director and assist in the administration of the program. This will include the work of recruiting faculty to participate in the program; data collection and conducting research on program effectiveness; and creating materials on the program for internal and external audiences.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- A sophisticated understanding of debate and public deliberation pedagogy.
- Excellent facilitation skills.
- The willingness and ability to collaborate with faculty across disciplines.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- The willingness and ability to work in a high-functioning team environment.
- Demonstra ed commitment to diversity, equity, and access in education.
Ability to work with students and faculty members in person, in physical classrooms. Required Qualifications
M.A. in Communications Studies or a related field, or J.D.
Experience in coaching university-level debate and/or facilitating public deliberation. Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in Communication Studies or a related field.
- Record of publication in debate and/or public deliberation pedagogy.
- Prior teaching experience at the university level.
- Experience interacting with and effectively working with diverse communities of students.
- Experience in conducting evaluation research.
- Prior project management experience.
- Experience in program development. Working Environment
- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday - Friday,