Visiting Assistant Professor in Creative Writing & African American Literature (1 year renewable up to 3 years)

The Earlham College Department of English and the Program in African and African American Studies invites applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor position with a focus in African American Literature and additional expertise in Creative Writing. The position may be renewable for up to three years.

Primary duties & responsibilities

The successful candidate will teach five courses in 2021-22 and a standard full teaching load of five or six courses per year thereafter. Teaching responsibilities will include classes in Earlham’s interdisciplinary African and African American Studies program, including African American literature, together with mixed-genre introductory Creative Writing courses, upper-level Creative Writing workshops in genres of the candidate’s own choice, and first-year interdisciplinary seminars.

The candidate will also help oversee the student editors of the campus literary magazine, The Crucible, and readings by visiting authors.  Earlham seeks to cultivate faculty interests, and visiting faculty have access to the same professional development and summer research opportunities as tenure track and tenured faculty. Visiting faculty will be well-prepared for tenure-track positions at the conclusion of the teaching position.

In the cover letter, candidates should address their ability to teach African American literature as well as teaching introductory and advanced Creative Writing workshops. Teaching interests may include courses that are not currently offered by the department. In the application materials, candidates should describe their ability to contribute to the advancement of Earlham’s goals to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution. Candidates should provide specific examples of how they have contributed to equitable and inclusive environments, including how they support students from diverse backgrounds and how they use inclusive pedagogical practices.

Departmental & institutional information

Earlham College is a small liberal arts college shaped by Quaker principles, including a commitment to social justice. The Earlham College student body is diverse (~20% international, ~25% domestic students of color) and there are multiple opportunities to work with students in meaningful ways both in and out of the classroom. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse environment where all community members can thrive.

Experience & qualifications

Candidates should hold a PhD or an MFA by July 2021, and should have published creative work. Candidates who are ABD (“All But Dissertation”) and have finished their coursework and qualifying exams may be considered. Candidates should have prior teaching experience and evidence of teaching effectiveness, which could include student evaluations, peer observations, or other similar evidence.  Earlham College continues to build a community that reflects our student body and society at large. We encourage and welcome applications from members of groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Candidates who meet some but not all of the desired qualities for this position are encouraged to apply.

Application instructions

Applicants should send a single PDF which includes:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Cover letter including teaching statement
3. Evidence of teaching effectiveness
4. Diversity statement (300-500 words) – concretely detail how your values and professional experience would contribute to Earlham’s commitment to DEI.
5. Brief creative writing sample
6. Applicants should have sent under separate cover three (3) letters of recommendation.

Materials should be sent to Terri Hardy [email protected].

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by May 3, 2021 will be given full consideration. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Dr. Kari Kalve, Search Convener, [email protected].

Earlham College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks applications from candidates who contribute to diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and veteran status, among other distinctions and contributions. As a college with a Quaker identity, Earlham is also eager to solicit applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Earlham utilizes E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees within the United States.