Lecturer in English-Composition and Rhetoric

Position Title:

Lecturer in English-Composition and Rhetoric

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Salary Range:

Salary range is $56,290-$107,532, depending on the number of courses assigned (5-9) and commensurate with teaching experience.

Purpose:

The Department of English at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites enthusiastic instructors of first-year writing with demonstrated classroom success to apply for a Lecturer position in rhetoric and composition. This is a one year, non-tenure track position. Courses will be first-year writing sequences. Specific assignments will be made according to the academic qualifications of the individual and programmatic need. This position is for in-person instruction, however, the successful applicant may have to provide temporary online instruction should the county health or university health situation require it.

The successful candidate will teach 5-9 courses over the year, with at least one course in each quarter in fall, winter, and spring. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with an 11th week for final examinations. This position starts September 1, 2026.

Basic Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in one of the following areas:

• Rhetoric and Composition,
• English, with an emphasis in writing studies,
• English literature,
• Creative Writing,
• MFA in Creative Writing with proven success in and a commitment to teaching first-year writing.

2. Demonstrated excellence in teaching composition and rhetoric, particularly first-year writing, at the college level for a minimum of 2 years.

3. Excellent communication skills.

4. Technological experience necessary to use a learning management system (Canvas/Camino) and other digital teaching tools is also expected.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with themed writing courses (such as ethnic, minority, or women's and gender issues; science, technology, and society; sustainability; education and identity; etc.).
• Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.
• Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students.

Responsibilities: Teaching (95%) & Service (5%)

Teaching duties (95%) include but are not limited to fulfilling the following responsibilities associated with assigned courses:

• Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively;

• Assigning and evaluating assignments that align with the course description and course learning outcomes, and providing timely feedback to students;

• Holding regular weekly office hours;

• Submitting student grades that are appropriate, accurate and fair measures of student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline;

• Administering numerical and narrative evaluations for all courses;

• Where applicable, teaching from an approved syllabus for the University Core courses assigned or working with the Chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee;

• Serving as an advisor to a reasonable number of students, commensurate with the full-time equivalency of the appointment, by providing informed advice to those students;

• Developing courses for which they are responsible and contributing to general curriculum development.

Service (5%):

Faculty Handbook section 3.6.3.3 defines service as “fostering and advancing the mission and goals of the department, the University, or the profession through contributions other than teaching and scholarship or creative work such as service on committees, participation in professional organizations and activities, and community service performed in virtue of their professional expertise or association with the University.”

Service may more specifically include attending department meetings, serving on committees, advising student organizations and honor societies, taking part in student recruitment/orientation efforts, and contributing to the accreditation or program assessment.

To respect the time and commitment of lecturers, service expectations must be commensurate with the full-time equivalency of the appointment. Additional service must be included through an assignment letter as part of the faculty member’s formal written appointment.

Other minimal instructional or academic duties may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the Chair of the Department.

Application Information

Submit application by Aug 10, 2026. Your application should include:

• Letter of Interest speaking to your first-year writing pedagogical approach and teaching philosophy

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Syllabi for a two-course sequence in first-year writing

• 2-3 sample assignments, including rubrics/grading criteria

• Recent numerical and/or narrative student evaluations of teaching

• Contact information for 3 references

Please note that your employment is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union Local 1021; see .

Questions may be addressed to Search Committee Chair Dr. Jackie Hendricks ([email protected]) or to English Department Manager Jessica Szyndrowski ([email protected])

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at .

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-5750. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].

Work Authorization:

SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.