The Faculty of Arts is seeking a Director of the Religious Studies program (RELIG) for a three-year term effective 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2021.
Religious Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering BA, BA (Hons), MA and PhD degree. It currently has six cross-appointed faculty members and one Lecturer (pending), and it offers between 24 and 30 fall and winter semester classes each year. A number of other faculty members across Arts contribute to the program in a variety of ways, in particular as graduate supervisors.
Reporting to the Senior Director of the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Director of Religious Studies will provide strategic leadership for a long-term, sustainable vision for the program in the Faculty of Arts. The Director will work with faculty in Religious Studies to ensure the program meets students' needs within the framework of the academically rigorous and critical study of religion, to attract more majors and Honours students, and to continue the unit's strong collegial tradition and practices. The Director will work with faculty members to develop a consensus on the nature and direction of the program, including plans for curriculum and the role of research in the program. Specific responsibilities of the Director include course scheduling, assignment of teaching and appointment of contract instructors, providing evaluative input to department chairs for Religious Studies faculty, and working with other programs in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies to ensure the viability of OIS programs. Maintaining and developing collaborative relationships with other institutions (e.g. Concordia, St. Joseph's College) is expected, as is active involvement in recruitment of undergraduate and graduate students to the Religious Studies degree programs.
The Director will be a tenured faculty member in Arts at the University of Alberta with research interests in the study of religion. The Director will have the knowledge and experience to help develop the existing profile of Religious Studies, thereby attracting the best students to the program. The ideal candidate will have a commitment to excellence in teaching, a proven track record in research related to study of religion, and be willing to develop and promote new programs and initiatives. The Director will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and will be able to articulate a broad vision for Religious Studies within the Faculty and beyond.
The Office of Interdisciplinary Studies will begin reviewing applications after 15 March 2018. PLEASE NOTE: Applications for this position are invited from candidates who are already continuing, full-time academic staff at the University of Alberta only.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to:
Nat Hurley, Senior Director
Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty of Arts