Mount Royal University, English, Languages, and Cultures

Assistant Professor, Early Modern Literatures

About MRU

Mount Royal University (MRU) is located within the traditional homelands of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot, including the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai Nations), the Tsuut’ina Nations, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Over this time Mount Royal University has built a reputation for providing students with a robust liberal education foundation. Mount Royal University’s vision is to provide an exceptional undergraduate educational experience for students. Mount Royal University has also carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, exceptional education experiences, and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor’s degrees and 38 majors.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning, and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts houses the following departments: Economics, Justice and Policy Studies; English, Languages, and Cultures; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; and Sociology and Anthropology. The Faculty of Arts houses more than 2,000 students seeking degrees in Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Interior Design, Policy Studies, Psychology, and Sociology, and offers over 30,000 seats in Arts courses each year. In addition, the Faculty of Arts offers 26 minors over a diverse range of disciplines and teaches a large majority of courses associated with General Education foundation courses. Arts faculty have received national and international recognition for their teaching and research, hold Tri-Council grants, publish books, and disseminate research in top-ranked academic journals.

About the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures

Building on its history at Mount Royal and its location in Calgary, the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures is passionately committed to the study of writing as well as of literary and filmic texts. The Department offers a degree program in the Bachelor of Arts (English), with streams for a Major in English as well as the Honours degree; it also offers Minors in Creative Writing, Film Studies, Environmental Humanities, English, Spanish, and French. The Honours program concludes with a fall-term capstone seminar (ENGL 5110) that includes professionalization-training and an annual student conference where students showcase their Honours theses. The overall four-year degree program is accredited by the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC). Our degree pathways (through the Major and Honours) follow a highly integrated curriculum bringing together literary themes, periods, theory, composition, creative writing, research, and practice. The program prepares students for graduate studies as well as other avenues of advanced study, including education, law, and library studies. Our graduates go on to careers focused on research, writing, publishing, and editing—anything, in fact, where clear, competent writing and communication are valued. We value supportive learning, inclusiveness, and equity, with a strong tradition of smaller class sizes, which allow for personalized learning and enhanced student participation.

Our award-winning faculty offer a rich variety of both traditional and cutting edge courses, with a strong emphasis on developing the critical and creative writing of our students. We read the text not just to find out what it says, but to see how it works—how it shapes our critical and ethical sensibilities, our awareness of culture and tradition, and our identities as peoples in communities larger than ourselves.

About the Role

Mount Royal University (MRU) is accepting applications for a full-time position in the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures, at the rank of Assistant Professor, with a specialization in Early Modern Literatures including ability to teach Shakespeare, to start July 1, 2023 subject to budgetary approval. Critical, contemporary, and/or decolonial approaches to the work of studying and teaching Early Modern literary cultures today will be considered an asset, as will secondary areas of expertise relevant to our program.

The ideal candidate will start at the tenure-track level and be able to teach Early Modern Literatures including ability to teach Shakespeare, as represented in the MRU Calendar. All candidates will have a scholarship plan and demonstrated interest in undergraduate teaching. Research and service opportunities may include supervision of research assistants or Honours students.

A minimum of a Ph.D. (or close to completion) in English specializing in Early Modern Literatures including ability to teach Shakespeare is required.

In addition, any of the following would be definite assets:

1. Successful previous post-secondary teaching experience in a range of courses;
2. Experience in curriculum development (e.g., creating courses, lectures, learning activities, and assignments); and
3. Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and diversity awareness.

Key faculty responsibilities include:

• Teaching courses in Early Modern Literatures and Shakespeare;
• Collaborating effectively with full-time and contract faculty members on curriculum re-development and educational innovation;
• Remaining current in areas of teaching responsibility and maintaining awareness of emerging trends;
• Contributing to program, university, and community service; and
• Participating in the General Education program.

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) focuses on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member establishes and maintains a research program and is involved in service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. The successful candidate for this position will be hired into the teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS). There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

What We Offer

Mount Royal University strives to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At Mount Royal University we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, a pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist, and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as counselling, physiotherapy, and massage therapy. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees, and the public.

For further information, contact Dr. Robert Boschman, Chair, Department of English, Languages, and Cultures at (403) 660-0216 or rboschman@mtroyal.ca. Applicants are encouraged to review the Bachelor of Arts (English) information at 

https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/Arts/Departments/EnglishLanguagesCultures/index.htm

MRU supports full immunization as the best way to protect yourself and our campus community and strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

1. A two-page cover letter that describes the candidate’s qualifications for this role as described above, interest in the position, and potential contributions to Mount Royal University.

2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Teaching Portfolio, including

• A statement of teaching philosophy, interests, and accomplishments (maximum 750 words)
• A sample syllabus
• Sample student evaluations and peer/chair teaching evaluation (if available)

4. Research Portfolio, including

• Statement of research interests/expertise, and  
• Proposed research plan for the upcoming 5-year period (maximum 750 words) 

5. Academic reference letters are not required with the application, but candidates may be asked to provide up to three confidential references as the competition progresses.

Closing Date:             March 31, 2023

The selection committee will begin reviewing all applications on April 3, 2023. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as required by Canadian immigration laws, Indigenous peoples (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis), Canadians, and permanent residents will be given priority.