Assistant/Associate Professor in Political Communication

Position description

The School of Communication and the Department of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University invites applications for an assistant/associate tenure-track professor in political communication. This interdisciplinary faculty member will be housed both in the School of Communication and Media and the Department of Political Science and Law, helping to grow collaborative new study and curriculum in political communication while leveraging the considerable strengths of both academic units. The Department of Political Science and Law will serve as the primary unit. This position is one of several strategic interdisciplinary hires. We are particularly interested in candidates that can work across these disciplines and understand the intersections between politics and the various forms and tools of communication. Candidates should be excited to prepare future leaders to understand and operate in a political landscape driven by complex communication strategy and tactics, where informed citizens must grasp foundational political theory and processes as well as the tools and techniques professionals use to effectively and ethically communicate with a broad range of publics across myriad digital platforms.

Candidates will have the opportunity to teach courses currently listed in both academic units. Political Science courses may include The Internet, Politics, and Public Policy and Polling in the US. School of Communication and Media courses (from both the Strategic Communication and Communication and Media Studies areas) may include Global Strategic Communication, Crisis Communication, and Democracy and Communication. Of equal importance and based on their expertise, strong candidates will be expected to collaboratively create and teach new interdisciplinary courses open to students from both units, toward the creation of an interdisciplinary certificate in political communication. New course topics could include political data analytics, political social media, strategic political communication, media and politics, and campaigns and advertising – among many others. Candidates will have the opportunity to leverage several signature programs within both units and the University, including the Center for Cooperative Media and the Center for Strategic Communication as well as a range of current media and industry partnerships. This faculty member can foster relationships with key constituents in local and state government centers and also support the creation of an emerging residential program in Washington, D.C. Tenure track faculty are expected to maintain a portfolio of creative or scholarly work appropriate for a tenure appointment at an R2 institution. Given the interdisciplinary and unique nature of this position, the creative/scholarly agenda may embody a broad range of focus topics and productivity depending on the candidate’s expertise and experience. This may include scholarly journal publications; books or monographs in political communication that could appeal to either a scholarly or popular press; and potential stature as a public scholar, including work in a Montclair academic center, the creation of white papers, consultancy with political think tanks, and the pursuit of external grants and funding. Faculty are also expected to conduct office hours; participate in department, School, College meetings across units as appropriate for an interdisciplinary hire; provide University service; and participate in the overall curricular and co-curricular life of the University.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A Ph.D. in political science, communication, media, or other appropriately aligned discipline is highly recommended. Those with a master’s degree and significant professional work history may also apply. A history of and/or clear promise for maintaining a strong record of creative/scholarly work appropriate to an R2 institution. Teaching experience and potential for being an engaged and committed classroom instructor who will work with a diverse student population is critical. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest working across academic units and building new interdisciplinary curricula in political communication.

COLLEGE/SCHOOL AND DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTIONS:

Founded in 2012, the School of Communication and Media offers a range of dynamic programs in communication and media to a talented and diverse student population of approximately 1800 students. Offering degrees in film and television, social media and public relations, advertising, journalism and digital media, sports communication, animation and visual effects, and an MA in public and organizational relations, the School prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. It maintains several critical strategic partnerships, including membership in NBCU Academy and the summer residency program for Ghetto Film School. The School houses award-winning student programs that include WMSC Radio, The Montclarionnewspaper, Hawk Communications PR Agency, the Red Hawk Sports Network, Hawk+ OTT streaming platform, a newly launched Los Angeles residential program, and News Lab, as well as the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication and the Center for Cooperative Media, the latter of which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local and collaborative journalism. Recent national recognitions for the School include an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and two College Television Awards from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and several SVG Sports Media nominations.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is the university’s largest academic unit with over 5000 undergraduate, Master’s and doctoral students. CHSS awards BA, MA, and PhD degrees through its 16 departments and 9 programs with over 30 majors and 50 minors. Offering traditional and interdisciplinary learning, the College is home to outstanding researchers across all disciplines while its faculty are also superb classroom instructors. The College proudly embraces the university’s diversity and its dual mission of promoting both research excellence and social mobility through transformative, accessible education.  The Department of Political Science and Law is recognized both internationally and nationally for the quality of its programs and curriculum.  We offer three majors, including Political Science; Jurisprudence, Law and Society; and Policy Studies. We host internships and practicums in venues running the gamut from municipal, state, and federal opportunities to international NGOs to practical campaign experiences. We pride ourselves on serving our diverse student body, nurturing them to become informed citizens, passionate activists, and lifelong participants in the civic life of their communities, our state and nation.

THE UNIVERSITY
Montclair State University is a nationally recognized R2 research doctoral institution that empowers students, faculty, and researchers to rise above their own expectations. Building on a distinguished history dating back to 1908, the University today has 10 colleges and schools that serve 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students with more than 300 doctoral, master’s and baccalaureate programs. Situated on a beautiful, 252-acre suburban campus just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair State welcomes a diverse population of students, many of whom are first generation, and delivers the instructional and research resources of a large public university in a supportive and sophisticated academic environment.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

Montclair State University is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse campus community that is representative of the State of New Jersey through inclusive excellence and equal opportunity. Montclair State University’s commitment to access and equity is designed to prepare each graduate to thrive as a global citizen.  As an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution we are working to support a campus-wide agenda to foster a community that both values and promotes the varied voices of our students, faculty, and staff. The University encourages candidates to apply who will contribute to the cultural tapestry of MSU and who value teaching a diverse student population, many of whom are first generation students.

SALARY RANGE:       Commensurate with experience    

STARTING DATE:      September 1, 2024
 

Application instructions

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