Communication Faculty (Open Rank) – Speech & Debate, Persuasion, and Public Speaking

Communication Faculty (Open Rank) – Speech & Debate, Persuasion, and Public Speaking/Colorado Christian University

Overview:
The Colorado Christian University Department of Communication invites applications for a faculty member who will primarily teach in-seat argumentation, debate, persuasion and public speaking classes on the Lakewood, CO campus, and serve as lead coach for the university’s competitive speech and debate team starting Fall 2019.  The faculty member will also work collaboratively with other department and school faculty, lead the development of a Speaking Training Center for all undergraduate students, mentor students, and assist the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in program and course development.

 

Faculty members of Colorado Christian University (CCU) teach assigned courses for which they are highly qualified within the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS). Each faculty member uses effective instruction techniques as a subject matter expert, but their primary responsibility is to integrate field-specific pedagogies with the Holy Bible and their personal experience with Jesus Christ. They are also expected to integrate and teach CCU’s spiritual, academic, and cultural Strategic Priorities.

 

Other duties include actively participating in committee/task force/team meetings, writing curriculum, reporting on assessments/outcomes, advancing scholarship, engaging with the community, supporting colleagues, or doing other work assigned by the Dean. Faculty members are expected to keep regular office hours to engage with students and assist them with their academics or other activities that support the University’s holistic approach.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Advocate for CCU’s mission, traditional Christian beliefs, and the Strategic Priorities.
2. Teach assigned undergraduate courses within the College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS) Department of Communication in accord with all standard policies and procedures using a variety of best-practice teaching and learning strategies, including classroom and online technology, to enhance instruction. A typical load is 24 credit hours of in-seatcommunication (or related discipline) undergraduate courses during the academic year.
3. Serve as Director of Speech and Debate and lead coach for the CCU Speech and Debate Team, which is a member of the National Christian College Forensic Association as well as Pi Kappa Delta. The squad is comprehensive and participates in Parliamentary Debate, individual forms of debate, and all forms of individual events. The team travels primarily a regional schedule (front-range of the Rockies) with some national tournament attendance. The team also participates in judging at area high school tournaments for recruiting purposes as well as squad development. Typically 6-9 teaching units per academic year will be reassigned for team leadership and coaching duties, depending on the assistant coaching arrangements.
4. Serve as lead instructor for the general education Public Speaking (COM 103) course, ensuring standard learning outcomes across courses, vetting and coaching affiliate faculty teaching sections of that course, and developing annual assessment measures related to that course.
5. Lead the development and implementation of a Speaking Training Center, where peer coaches offer students feedback and guidance on presentations, including purpose, structure, illustrations, presentational aids, slide decks, etc., across an array of classes. Typically 3 teaching units per year will be reassigned for these administrative duties.
6. Develop, implement, and evaluate course curriculum, teaching-learning practices, and assess student learning outcomes.
7. Engage students; maintain established office hours and be available to individual students for questions, coursework, consultations, and informal mentoring.
8. Demonstrate a proven track record and ongoing experience in their field. Faculty members are also expected to engage in professional organization activities and scholarly work including, but not limited to, publications and presentations.
9. Provide strategic thinking in fulfilling the goals of CUS in support of the University Strategic Priorities as well as contribute effectively to the University community, ministry partners, corporate partners, and general audiences. Strong participation in faculty, committee, or other meetings is an integral part of this position.
10. Add to the development of a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars within the College of Undergraduate Studies. Continue to grow in personal commitment to and effectiveness in the integration of Christian faith and learning and provide effective servant/shepherd leadership among faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
11. Participate in the mission of the University beyond the classroom through activities such as committee/task force/team work, community development, or similar activities internally and externally, which enhance and advance exemplary academics, personal spiritual growth, and engagement with the world. Work effectively and positively with administrators, other faculty colleagues, and support staff to establish and maintain effective positive working relationships.
12. Participate in extracurricular activities to support and encourage students, colleagues and staff.
13. Assist the dean with other duties as assigned.

 

Specialization:

Speech and Debate, Public Address, Argumentation, Persuasion

 

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. D. in Communication from an accredited college or university strongly preferred. M.A. in Communication required. Each faculty member must be considered highly qualified as outlined by the University’s accreditation and academic standards.
2. Experience competing and coaching intercollegiate speech and debate teams.
3. Three or more years of successful teaching experience in a college or university is preferred, with a proven track record of student learning and engagement through previous classroom evaluations by students, faculty, and administration.
4. Superior oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
5. Passionate about Christ-centered higher education and dedicated to the integration of faith and learning in their field. Deeply committed to student success.
6. Proficient in appropriate Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and able to use appropriate software/technology (Blackboard) in the learning environment.
7. Committed to learning new ideas for classroom presentations and dynamic class interactions to engage student learning in a meaningful way consistent with the University’s mission.

 

Workload:

12-month contract. Responsible for teaching 24 units, 4 undergraduate courses per semester.  However, it is expected that this faculty member will teach two-three courses per term and fulfill the administrative/leadership duties listed above within his/her full-time load.

 

Rank:

The Dean and the Vice President of Academic Affairs will determine faculty rank based on the finalist’s credentials and experience.

 

Hire Date:  Position begins Fall 2019. Review of applications to begin December 12, 2018, and will continue until position is filled.

 

Nature of Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee may work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Regular public presentations to students, parents, and external constituents required. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends.