Lecturer, English Department

Job Description Summary & Additional Information

Organizational Summary Statement: The mission of the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) is to prepare versatile and visionary leaders equipped to address the complexities of the human experience, both globally and locally. Housed within ARHU, the Department of English teaches students how to think critically, communicate clearly and fearlessly. Equipped with a versatile and interdisciplinary liberal arts education, our students emerge from our classrooms well-prepared to navigate the complex landscape of the current moment.

The department’s faculty are premiere in their fields, boasting a body of work that includes award-winning digital media, scholarly essays, novels, short stories and poetry. Our faculty are regular recipients of Guggenheim fellowships, Mellon Foundation grants, NEA awards, NEH fellowships, the Rome Prize, the Whiting Award and American Academy of Arts and Letters awards.  

The department is an inclusive gathering place for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and the public. Our Center for Literary and Comparative Studies and BookLab are hubs for scholarly inquiry and partnership with other campus programs and off-campus entities. English regularly hosts readings by poets and novelists; colloquium, symposia, guest lectures and national and international conferences featuring distinguished scholars; as well as discussion groups for students and alumni and play readings and performances. Our majors are encouraged to explore a range of careers through internships, such as with the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities. We have a robust alumni program, ensuring continuity between currently enrolled students and those who have gone on to successful careers in marketing, law, medicine, IT, and higher education

Background Checks : Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position: The English Department at the University of Maryland, College Park, seeks lecturers for the upcoming semester. Lecturers primarily teach in our two writing programs, Academic Writing, which administers our first-year composition classes (ENGL101), and Professional Writing, which offers our required 300-level writing classes. We have a particular interest in staffing some of our specialized Professional Writing courses, which include but are not limited to Technical Writing, Business Writing, Science Writing, Writing for the Health Professions, Writing for Social Entrepreneurship, and Writing for Non-Profit Organizations. Lecturers may also teach the Department's 200-level literature classes, as needed. Lecturers can teach up to one course per term. Please note that all courses will be taught in person on the College Park campus.

Both the Academic Writing Program and Professional Writing Program are housed in and administered by the Department of English, and these programs are responsible for the courses that meet the university’s two Fundamental Studies Writing requirements. The Academic Writing course teaches students how to participate thoughtfully, critically, and persuasively in academic conversations, while Professional Writing courses teach the research, analysis, writing, and language skills that students will need in their lives beyond the classroom.

Lecturers are directly responsible for teaching each 19-student class assigned to them. They design and teach interactive class lessons that help students learn how to plan, develop, compose, and revise each major writing project, and they grade and respond to student writing (at least five major projects per semester, each returned within two weeks of submission). Lecturers hold weekly office hours (at least one hour each week per each course being taught) and respond in a timely fashion to student questions and concerns.

First-time lecturers are issued a standard syllabus and writing assignments for the course, which they are able to adapt in order to build on the experiences and expertise they bring to the particular course. Lecturers also participate in their respective writing program’s day-long professional development day before the semester begins and attend weekly (AWP) or biweekly (PWP) mentoring sessions with the program director or administrative fellows.

Lecturers who teach one course per term are not benefits-eligible.

Minimum Qualifications: In compliance with the  University System of Maryland Policy on Appointment, Rank, and Tenure of Faculty  and the College of Arts and Humanities Professional Track Faculty Appointment, Evaluation, and Promotion Procedures , the Department of English’s minimum criteria for appointment of instructional professional track faculty in the Academic Writing Program and Professional Writing Program is:

Education and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in the field of instruction or related field and demonstrated successful teaching at the college level and/or relevant professional experience (as determined by the Director of Academic Writing and Professional Writing).

Criteria for evaluating candidates will include the following:

• Evidence of success in teaching undergraduate students.

• Evidence of expertise that complements or contributes to AWP and PWP’s delivery of undergraduate writing courses.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the diversity mission of AWP and PWP, the Department of English, and the University of Maryland.

Preferences: Candidates with a demonstrated ability to incorporate diverse perspectives into teaching.

Additional Information: All professional track and adjunct faculty shall be hired through formal, transparent, and systematic processes. Diversity is a core value and foundational concept of the Academic Writing and Professional Writing Programs. We are currently developing teaching strategies to help our increasingly diverse undergraduate student body explore a range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, define, and deliver solutions. The Academic Writing and Professional Writing Programs prepare students to work in an increasingly global society by promoting inclusion and equity for all individuals.

Physical Demands: N/A

Required Application Materials:

• An application letter
• A current CV
• The names and contact information for three references
• Sample teaching materials, i.e., course syllabi and course evaluations.

In their application letter, candidates should describe their experiences with diversity in their teaching or service and their potential to support the Academic Writing Program’s and/or Professional Writing Program’s commitment to diversity. Candidates should discuss their experiences both in educating a culturally diverse student population as well as in helping them prepare for work within diverse workplaces and for communicating for and to diverse communities.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications beginning approximately Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and will conduct interviews shortly thereafter. We will acknowledge all applications, and we will also accept applications until the positions are filled.

Nominations of outstanding potential candidates are welcome.

Best Consideration Date: July 16, 2025

Posting Close Date: NA

Open Until Filled: Yes

Department

ARHU-English

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Non-Regular (Fixed Term)

Salary Range

$13,979.57 - $14,119.36

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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