Fellowship for the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, Stanford University
An opportunity for 2014-15 and 2015-16 Stanford doctorates
Stanford University seeks a number of highly-qualified fellows to develop and teach first and second-year writing courses in its Program in Writing and Rhetoric, a program in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. We explicitly seek applicants with experience and interests from a range of disciplinary backgrounds with a strong interest in the teaching of writing and speaking. Qualifying applicants must have completed their doctoral work within either the 2014-15 or 2015-16 academic year at Stanford.
The Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) teaches courses that fulfill the undergraduate writing and rhetoric requirement. PWR offers approximately 200 courses a year, taught seminar/workshop style in classes of 15 students each. These small classes emphasize the development of each student’s analytical and research-based writing. Individual classes explore writing, rhetoric, and research from a range of thematic perspectives and within a range of disciplinary contexts. The second course in the requirement includes focused attention to the study and development of oral and multimedia texts to expand students’ understanding of contemporary language and argument.
Fellows will generally teach two sections per quarter during the academic year, with one quarter of teaching one section to have time for research in their own area of interest (five sections in all for the year). They will be responsible for developing syllabi for their sections in accord with course and assignment guidelines defined and used throughout PWR. Fellows will also participate in professional development activities available through the program, including formal training in rhetoric, composition, and writing pedagogy for three to four weeks in August before the start of the academic year; we consider this intensive immersion in writing pedagogy one of the primary benefits of the fellowship, as the principles and practices can be adapted to teaching in all disciplines. They will join a lively community of teachers, writers, and researchers, including Stanford faculty, lecturers, and fellows from a range of disciplines. Further information about the program can be found at https://undergrad.stanford.edu/programs/pwr.
Appointments of Fellows will be made for a term of two years beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year, with a start date of August 1, 2016 (new Fellows are expected to be on campus for full engagement with the training sessions in August, as these sessions are essential preparation for teaching effectively in PWR as well as a centerpiece of the fellowship). Salary will be in the range of $62,900, and will be accompanied by a standard benefits package.
We welcome inquiries and questions from potential applicants and from Chairs or Directors of Graduate Studies. In the first instance, potential applicants should contact Associate Vice Provost Marvin Diogenes (marvind@stanford.edu). Chairs and Directors should contact Professor Adam Banks (ajbanks@stanford.edu).
Qualifications
Candidates must have completed their Stanford doctoral studies during the 2014-15 or 2015-16 academic years (June 2016 at the latest) and thus have the Ph.D. in hand by the start of the appointment; there will be no exceptions to this requirement. At the time of application in February 2016, the chair or director of an ABD applicant’s department or program should provide a statement that the applicant will have completed and filed their doctorate and received the degree before the appointment begins. The chair or director should also note in the statement if the candidate has made unusually rapid progress in their time-to-degree, given the current standards in the field. We encourage applications from candidates from all fields and disciplines who have demonstrated excellence as teachers and possess strong interests in the teaching of writing and speaking.
Application Instructions
Please submit a letter of application (outlining your teaching experience and interests in the teaching of writing), curriculum vitae, three letters of reference (note for ABDs: one of your letters must be an endorsement from your department chair or program director confirming you will have the doctorate in hand by the start of the appointment and, if applicable, that you have made unusually rapid progress in your time-to-degree), a teaching philosophy statement, ideas for writing courses, syllabi for other relevant courses, and any other relevant teaching materials via Interfolio (http://apply.interfolio.com/32690) by 11:59:59PM EDT February 1, 2016. Applicants with questions should contact Associate Vice Provost Marvin Diogenes (marvind@stanford.edu).
