University of Denver
Teaching Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Director of Debate
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 (https://www.du.edu/equity), 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 Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of Debate who will start at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year. This faculty member will fulfill teaching and service responsibilities while also serving as the director of the DU Debate Union. The successful applicant will have a record in coaching debate (DU competes in British Parliamentary debate, though we are open to candidates working from a wide array of debate and forensics traditions) and the ability to teach university-level courses in communication studies.

This is a non-tenure track position that provides a three-year contract with full benefits and is renewable with the possibility of promotion. Promotions to associate and full teaching professor come with longer contracts. More information about our Teaching and Professional Faculty series is available at https://duvpfa.du.edu/teaching-and-professional-faculty/

Essential Functions

This position comes with a reduced teaching load given the administrative responsibilities of directing the DU Debate Union. Debate director responsibilities include:

RecruitmentBudget oversightManaging travel logisticsCoachingTravelling with the teamArticulating the value of the debate program to campus stakeholdersCoordinating the activities of the debate union with campus lifeFundraising


Responsibilities

Teaching responsibilities include four courses during the regular academic year (half the usual teaching load for a teaching-line faculty member). Teaching responsibilities include:

Teaching undergraduate courses in communication studiesCourse development aligned with areas of expertiseSupervising undergraduate students completing relevant internships or research projects, including theses


Service responsibilities include advising undergraduate students and other service assignments within the department and college, as well as service to the university, debate community, scholarly discipline, and/or community.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

A strong record in coaching debate (DU competes in British Parliamentary debate, though we are open to candidates working from a wide array of debate and forensics traditions)Excellent communication skills for coaching, classroom teaching and student mentoringStrong leadership and mentoring skillsAbility to manage logistics of budgeting, planning the team schedule, and travelling with studentsAbility to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with students and facultyAbility to use an online learning management system


Required Qualifications

M.A. or ABD in Communication Studies or a related field, or J.D.Experience in coaching university-level debateAbility to teach university-level courses in communication studiesDemonstrated or potential for service to academic institutions, the discipline, and the community.


Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in Communication StudiesPrior experience as a debate coach and director of debate/forensicsPrior teaching experience at the university levelExperience interacting with and effectively working with diverse communities of students


Working Environment

 Standard office environment. 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

Faculty teaching schedules are typically between 8 am-6 pm Mondays through Fridays. Debate activities often require evening and weekend hours, as well as travel.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 19, 2024.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$62,000 with an additional $10k stipend for service as the Director of Debate.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please Include The Following Documents With Your Application 

CVCover letter that articulates how your skills and experience would contribute to the department, college, and university and demonstrates how your interests and expertise fit the job descriptionEvidence of teaching effectiveness, including teaching philosophy, sample course syllabi, as well as teaching observations and/or summaries of course evaluationsEvidence of coaching effectiveness, including coaching philosophy and other materials demonstrating experience and effectiveness in coaching and (if applicable) directing a debate/forensics programStatement demonstrating how you will contribute to the department’s and the college's commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. see: https://liberalarts.du.edu/communication-studies/about and https://liberalarts.du.edu/news-events/all-articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-strategic-plan-cahss)Names of three references; reference letters will be requested for final candidates and will be sent through the online system.
The University of Denver recognizes that its success in being a great university dedicated to the public good depends greatly on how well it engages, supports, and champions the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. As part of our intentionality in recruiting and retaining faculty from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities, including those from communities of color, with diverse gender and sexual identities, first-generation college graduates, or with disabilities, new faculty will have the opportunity to choose to participate in a pilot University-wide initiative. This initiative will connect new colleagues in a cohort, building community across units with supportive programming led by the Office of the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs in collaboration with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and each faculty participant’s academic unit. To learn more about the University of Denver’s commitments and work in support of DEI and J, please visit: https://www.du.edu/equity. For more information about this program or if you have any questions, please email inclusion@du.edu and/or visit https://duvpfa.du.edu/faculty-resources/prospective-faculty/.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Denver, CO