Assistant professor, tenure-track, social documentary
Organization: University of California, Sant Cruz
Location: CA
Start Date: July 1, 2009
Application Deadline: December 1, 2008
Point of Contact: Kathleen Tague (ktague@ucsc.edu) (831) 459-7019
Summary: The Department of Community Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the evolving field of social documentary
Job Details: Social Documentary, Digital Media Practice, Representational Strategies
The Department of Community Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the evolving field of social documentary. Candidates must have a proficiency of practice in at least one of the following: video, audio, or photography, especially as the medium interfaces with new-media platforms. Prior experience in and commitment to a social documentary focus on contemporary public life, social issues, and/or emergent crises in domestic, transnational or international settings is important. We are interested in candidates who are grounded in the histories of and theoretical approaches to the field of social documentary, and who address the role of documentary in civic engagement and social change. We especially seek candidates who can participate in building the Social Documentation Program’s proficiency in emergent new media technologies such as locative media, GPS-adapted systems, mobile technologies, web-based interfaces, etc. In addition to production skills, we anticipate that the successful candidate will possess demonstrable experience in merging documentary practice with social analysis in such matters as research methodologies, collaboration with subjects, and field-study approaches to production, as they form the foundation of this program’s approach to the social documentary.
The successful candidate will assume a major role in the Social Documentation M.A. Program, one of the first such graduate programs in the country that aims to be a laboratory for original research and production, knowledge acquisition and deployment, and the development of documentary practices informed by social science research and social justice dynamics. The Social Documentation M.A. Program was recently launched by the Community Studies Department, a longstanding interdisciplinary undergraduate program emphasizing field study with community-based social justice organizations. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in addition to those in the graduate program and will have the opportunity to work with allied campus interests in oral history, anthropology, and digital arts and new media. Candidates must share our commitment to working collaboratively in interdisciplinary environments with colleagues spanning the arts, humanities and social sciences. We welcome candidates with experience integrating their scholarly work with social activism. The campus wishes to attract candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research and production, teaching and service.
SALARY: $53,200 - $56,400, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. or MFA degree must be conferred no later than June 30, 2009. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate evidence of production of social documentaries, excellent analytical work, and potential for excellence in teaching.
POSITION AVAILABLE: July 1, 2009
APPLY TO: Applicants should submit a detailed letter of application describing their research, production, and teaching interests and experience, curriculum vitae or placement dossier, samples of current work (documentaries, research, and writing), copies of teaching evaluations (if available), course syllabi and three letters of reference (all letters will be treated as confidential, please direct your references to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://www2.ucsc.edu/ahr/policies/confstm.htm). Samples of work in audio or new media should be sent via URL as well as on DVD directly to the Search Committee Chair. All application materials should be sent to:
Professor Renee Tajima-Pena, Search Committee Chair
Community Studies Department
University of California
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Please refer to position #374-09 in your reply.
CLOSING DATE: Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2008. No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted. For further information contact Kathleen Tague (ktague@ucsc.edu), (831) 459-7019.
*All letters will be treated as confidential documents. Please direct your letter writers to UCSC’s Confidentiality Statement at
http://www2.ucsc.edu/ahr/academic_policies_and_procedures/cappm/confstm.htm.
UC Santa Cruz faculty make significant contributions to the body of research that has earned the University of California the ranking as the foremost public higher education institution in the world. In the process, our faculty demonstrate that cutting-edge research, excellent teaching and outstanding service are mutually supportive.
The University of California, Santa Cruz is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, committed to excellence through diversity. We strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.
Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to: Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; (831) 459-2686. Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
If you need assistance due to a disability please contact the Academic Personnel Office at 499 Clark Kerr Hall (831) 459-4300. This position description is available in alternate formats, which may be requested from Academic Personnel at (831) 459-4300.