Adjunct Faculty In Liberal Arts (Writing for Media)

Luther College is seeking an instructor to teach our signature required first-year course (Paideia 111 and 112) as well as the course, “Writing for Media” (English 211), beginning Fall 2025. Although preference is given to candidates who can fill all teaching responsibilities (English 211, Paideia 111 and Paid 112) across two-semesters, we will consider separating the position with an adjunct for the Writing for Media course/s and an adjunct for the first-year Paideia courses.

This is an ideal appointment for recent Ph.D., M.F.A. or A.B.D. candidates, especially those interested in liberal arts teaching. For the “Writing for Media” course, those with professional experience writing for media are invited to apply. Robust faculty development is included in the position.

Paideia 111-12: “Enduring Questions” is a two-semester common course that is central to the first-year experience at Luther College. It develops students’ ability to read, write, analyze, discuss, and research at the college level by engaging with works drawn from different time periods, genres, and parts of the world. It is taught by faculty members from all divisions of the college, offering important networking and collaboration opportunities.

Faculty Development And Support For Paideia 111-112 Includes

• Teaching from a pre-designed common syllabus, with freedom at the day-to-day level to shape assignments and discussion topics;
• Weekly conversations on pedagogy, writing instruction, and course content with a cohort of 20 faculty members from a broad range of disciplines;
• Peer mentoring by an experienced Paideia instructor;
• Optional participation in our new faculty onboarding and orientation group.
  
  

“Writing for Media” English 211, serves primarily English, Communication Studies, and Visual Communication majors. It is a comprehensive course in news writing, reporting, and writing for media, with focus on the issues and skills central to journalism and professional writing for various media. Readings and examples come from newspapers, on-line and print magazines, and electronic journalism (including audio news and podcasts).

Luther College is located in rural Northeast Iowa, a regional hub for outdoor recreation, two nationally recognized healthcare systems, top ranked schools, business, agriculture, specialty retail, dining and tourism. Major Midwest metropolitan areas within a three-hour driving distance include Des Moines, IA; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; and Madison, WI. We are an easy drive to La Crosse, WI, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, IA, and Rochester, MN, home of Mayo Clinic.

At Luther College, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our educational mission and values. We are committed to the institutional change required for visioning and realizing a more equitable and socially just college and society. Strong candidates will have experience and vision regarding teaching and mentorship of students of multiple and diverse backgrounds with attention to structural barriers that limit access to educational opportunities.

With support from departmental colleagues and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the successful candidate may be asked to participate in institutional and course-related professional development, student tutoring and some evening and weekend invited-speaker seminars with students. Our primary goal is to both mentor and serve students in the program.

Instructor Qualifications

• A masters degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Media Studies or related discipline is required, PhD preferred. ABD candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Experience in teaching college-level writing.
• Demonstrated ability to read critically and lead discussions on a wide range of texts.
• Evidence of dedication to the creation of a welcoming, inclusive, engaged, and dynamic classroom or related professional environment.
• Professional experience in writing for media.
  
  

Apply: Review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Campus interviews are planned for March 31-April 4. Apply for the position at https://www.luther.edu/offices/hr/careers. Applicants’ dossier should include:

• letter of application (please summarize how your background qualifies you for this position and briefly reflect on the strengths you would bring to Luther College)
• curriculum vitae
• 1-2 page teaching statement/philosophy demonstrating 1) your approaches to classroom teaching, 2) how you embrace engaged learning, and 3) your specific efforts to remove barriers and support the success of all students through classroom pedagogy and student interactions
• writing sample, ideally a published piece of 2500 words or fewer that demonstrates the candidate's ability to engage readers beyond the academy, such as an op-ed, a journalistic piece, creative nonfiction, or a work of public scholarship
• unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts
• contact information for three references (name, affiliation, email, and phone). References will only be contacted for those candidates invited for a campus visit with prior notification to the candidate.
  
  

Adjunct faculty salary is on a per credit basis dependent on credentials and experience. The current compensation rate for adjunct faculty with 0-5 years of experience is $4,800–$5,800 per 4-credit course; placement in range is dependent on credentials and applicable experience. Should a candidate meet the qualifications for teaching Paideia and the Writing for Media courses, a Visiting Professor position may be offered, with potential for a full-time position on our faculty salary scale.

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Kathryn Reed, Search Chair and Paideia Director, Luther College, Decorah, IA 52101; email: [email protected]. Additional information about the college is available by visiting the college website www.luther.edu. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to [email protected].