Davidson: Coordinator of Multilingual Writing

Davidson College is searching for a Coordinator of ESL and Multilingual Writing to create innovative and effective programming for students, tutors, and faculty. This individual will regularly assess the needs of our diverse student body, paying special attention to international students’ academic acculturation. She or he will develop curricular supports, engage in faculty development, and work with students in classroom and consultative settings. In addition, each year, he or she will teach two first-year writing courses designed for native and non-native writers. Graduate coursework in such fields as Applied Linguistics, Second Language Studies, Cross-Cultural Rhetorics, Rhetorical Theory, Writing Studies, or Literacy Studies preferred. Master’s degree required; PhD preferred. At least one year’s experience in teaching multilingual students at the college level required.  Interested applicants may visit http://jobs.davidson.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=52463 to apply.  Davidson College is strongly committed to achieving excellence and cultural diversity, and welcomes applications from women, members of minority groups, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the college’s mission.

Board Member Patrick Bahls Publishes Book on Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines

New Board Member, Patrick Bahls, recently published a book of interest to Carolinas WPAs. Here’s more information directly from Patrick:

It gives me pleasure to announce the recent release of my new book, Student Writing in the Quantitative Disciplines: A Guide for College Faculty, now available from Jossey-Bass.

As we all know, designing engaging and effective writing assignments is one of the chief challenges facing teachers in any discipline. This challenge can be especially daunting to instructors in fields (like mathematics, engineering, and other quantitative disciplines) outside of the traditionally “writing-intensive” disciplines. Drawing on my long experience with writing in the disciplines, my text offers instructors in math-based disciplines meaningful approaches to making their coursework richer and more relevant for their students (as well as satisfying institutional imperatives for writing curricula!). Moreover, by contextualizing the writing done in quantitative courses, the text should prove useful to instructors of first-year writing, writing center staff, and all others engaged in the scholarship of composition and its teaching.

The book provides an overview of the ideas behind writing across the curriculum, writing in the disciplines, and writing-to-learn, as well as an introduction to writing process, assessing and responding to student writing, and developing meaningful writing activities…all tailored to teachers in quantitative-intensive areas. Included too are dozens of examples of writing exercises, from low-stakes two-minute activities to robust and richly structured projects.

I would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the book.

All the best,
Patrick Bahls

UNC-Charlotte: Full-time Lecturer in Technical/Professional Writing

The English Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a non-tenure-track, 9-month, full-time position as Lecturer in English, beginning August 15, 2012. The position carries a 4/4 teaching load in the Technical/Professional Writing program. This position is for two years, non-renewable. For consideration, apply online at https://jobs.uncc.edu with a letter of application, a vita, a statement of teaching philosophy, a sample syllabus, and names and contact information for three references.

Eligible applicants must have a minimum of a Masters degree in English or a related field, with experience teaching technical/professional writing or technical communication at the postsecondary level. Qualified candidates will exhibit a commitment to excellent teaching; an interest in, or experience with, incorporating technology into teaching and learning; demonstrated ability to contribute to diversity initiatives; and an understanding of technical writing in a global context. Applicants with experience as technical writers in professional, non-academic environments are preferred.

Candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide a teaching portfolio and three original letters of recommendation addressed to: Dr. Aaron Toscano, Technical/Professional Lecturer Search Committee Chair, Department of English, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223. Interview candidates will also be asked to provide an official transcript from their academic institution addressed to Dr. Nancy Gutierrez, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, same address.

Applicants are subject to criminal background checks.

Deadline for applications is April 23, 2012. UNC Charlotte strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. To learn more about the UNC Charlotte English Department, visit our web site at http://www.english.uncc.edu.