Dear medieval-religion colleagues (with apologies for duplication to those of you who
also belong to the italian-studies list),
I was very pleased to get to meet so many of you at the medieval congress in
Kalamazoo last week, but I was even more pleased to find, upon my return to
Leicester, that a new Chair of Modern Languages has been created here; and I was
especially thrilled to find that the new Professor may be an Italianist (although it
is possible that the post may go to a specialist in French or Spanish). This is an
exciting possibility for Italian Studies at Leicester, and could be a notable
addition to the Italianist 'scene' in the British Isles.
The job will not be officially advertised until next week, but below you will find an
advance copy of the further particulars. I hope that you will take the time to read
them. If you think you could be an appropriate choice, I would be happy to hear from
you informally, and I would encourage you to apply. If you know of a colleague who
may be interested, I would be grateful to you if you could forward this message to
that person.
Let me add a brief description of Italian at Leicester. At this moment, we have four
full-time Italianists: Clodagh Brook (Lecturer), Marina Spunta (Lecturer), Paola
Keyse (Language Tutor) and myself. This year, we teach about 65 first-year students,
about 50 second-year students, and about 35 final-year students; additionally, about
35 students are presently on their Year Abroad (between their second and final year
of studies) in Bologna, Padova, Pavia, Pisa, Torino and Verona . We also have three
postgraduate students, and others will be starting MA/PhD studies later this year. We
have recently established a unique summer language programme for our students between
their first and second years; for three weeks, they follow an intensive course of
study in Italy and live with Italian host families. Given our moderate numbers, we
cannot offer the range of courses we would like, but I think we offer a very
respectable selection nonetheless. Second-year options presently include: Medieval
and Renaissance Italy; Dante's Inferno; Reading Cinema; History of Italian Cinema;
Introduction to Italian Linguistics; Modern Italian Women's Writing. Final-year
options presently include: Dante's Purgatorio; Dante's Paradiso; Italian Popular
Literature and Culture (pre-Unification); Italian Popular Literature and Culture
(post 1860); Italian and Its Varieties; Italian and Translation; Modern Mezzogiorno;
Contemporary Italian Fiction. In short, Italian has been growing in numbers and in
spirit recently at Leicester, and I am sure that it would be good for our students
and our University if a new Chair could be added to our Italianist cohort.
I might add that the University of Leicester recently has acquired a new
Vice-Chancellor (= Magnifico Rettore), Professor Robert Burgess (a sociologist), who
has shown himself to be taking a very active and constructive part in further
improving our humanities departments. (This is partcularly notable, given that our
University's fame has largely relied on the accomplishments of our colleagues in the
sciences, such as genetics and astronomical studies.) I am optimistic that this bodes
well for Italian and modern languages at Leicester.
You will find my contact details at the end of this message, if you should wish to
ask anything about this position; you may also wish to contact my Head of School,
Christopher Rolfe, whose details appear in the further particulars. But now, here are
... the further particulars!
Best wishes,
George
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PARTICULARS OF APPOINTMENT
CHAIR IN THE SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES (Ref. P9017)
The University seeks to appoint a professorial Head to give impetus and leadership to
the School of Modern Languages. The appointment will be made in either French or
Italian or Spanish, there already being a chairholder in German. The successful
candidate will be expected to serve as Head of School with immediate effect and for a
period to be agreed.
Applicants should have a native or near-native command of either French or Italian or
Spanish, a substantial record of published research, sound administrative skills, and
the capacity to give energetic and innovative academic leadership. They must possess
the vision to enable the School to respond imaginatively to the challenges presently
faced by university language departments. The successful candidate will be familiar
with the latest developments in language teaching and be in a position to lead the
School in new directions.
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Leicester is one of the UK's leading research universities. The
University was founded as a University College in 1921 and granted a Royal Charter in
1957. It has an estate of approximately 53 hectares and a six hectare Botanic Garden,
an arboretum and a range of residences in the suburbs that are set in attractive
gardens.
The University has over 15,000 students including 8,000 at postgraduate level. There
are 42 academic departments and 35 special divisions and centres located in six
faculties: Arts, Education and Continuing Studies, Law, Medicine and Biological
Sciences, Science and Social Sciences. The University employs approximately 3,000
staff.
The University was ranked 25th by the Financial Times and 28th by the Sunday Times,
obtained the following scores out of 24 in recent teaching quality assessments:
Medicine 23, Physics 23, American Studies 23, Mathematics 22, Biological Sciences 22,
Psychology 24 and had 18 ratings of 5*, 5 or 4 in the 1996 Research Assessment
Exercise.
The University is committed to producing research and teaching of the highest
quality, to promoting undergraduate and postgraduate studies through campus based and
distance learning programmes and to developing close collaboration with the local and
regional community.
The School of Modern Languages
The School of Modern Languages became a single department and cost centre in the
Faculty of Arts when the former departments of French, German and Italian were
amalgamated in 1996. Spanish was introduced in 1998.
The School offers a variety of degree programmes combining French, German, Italian
and Spanish, including European Studies. There are ab initio courses in German,
Italian and Spanish which permit students to transfer later in Honours degree
programmes. The School also includes the Language Services Unit, which provides a
university-wide language programme for non-specialists. At present there are 13
full-time academic staff in the School, together with 6 language assistants and
language tutors. The Head of School is assisted in administrative duties by a
management committee comprising the Directors of Studies for each language and the
Director of the Language Services Unit. The School possesses language laboratories
and a self-access language-learning centre which were custom built in 1995.
The School achieved the following research ratings in the 1996 RAE: French (4),
German (4), Italian (3) and the School continues to place a high priority on research
and publication. There is an active Research Seminar which meets on a weekly basis
during term. The School is home to a flourishing Centre for Quebec Studies. The
School wishes to expand its postgraduate programme and the new Head will be expected
to promote this expansion vigorously.
Current research interests include:
Applied linguistics / language teaching methodology;
Sociolinguistics;
German Romanticism and Classicism, both literature and the visual arts;
Contemporary German literature, especially Christa Wolf;
Eighteenth-century Theatre de la Foire;
Bande dessinee;
French and British multiculturalism;
Society and culture of Quebec;
Contemporary Italian narrative, especially Antonio Tabucchi;
Prose fiction of Flaubert;
Cinema;
Medieval popular and religious culture
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Professor will be a member of Senate and of the Board of the Faculty of Arts and
will be required to take part in the work of the University Boards and Committees as
may be necessary from time to time.
The successful candidate will normally be expected to attend the regular Staff
Meetings of the Department. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake
scholarly work and research; and the University endeavours to provide adequate
resources for the research interests of its staff. Staff are also expected to
undertake adult and continuing education teaching as and when appropriate.
The University operates a scheme whereby members of academic staff have the
opportunity to apply for periods of study leave on a regular basis.
The Head of Department is appointed for a fixed term after consultation with all
academic staff in the Department. At present Mr. Christopher Rolfe is Head of School.
The successful candidate would normally be expected to be willing to serve such a
term from time to time in due course.
Staff are responsible to the Head of the Department for such lecture courses,
teaching, postgraduate supervision, examining and other work as may be allotted to
him/her. The person appointed will be required to take a full share in all examining
work, including invigilation, and in the tutorial work of the Department (personal as
well as academic) and in such general work for the Department as may be required from
time to time by the Head of Department.
Appointments, unless otherwise stated are full-time, but no fixed number of hours of
work is prescribed for members of academic staff. Extra-mural lecturing for the
University and examining work may be undertaken without obtaining permission, and so
may occasional lectures, broadcasts etc., but before engaging in other paid external
work, members of the academic staff must consult the Vice-Chancellor who will, if he
considers it necessary, bring the matter before Senate and Council. This stipulation
applies to all paid external work that it is proposed to undertake in vacations as
well as during terms, and in particular for consultancies and to work for any other
University at home, or abroad, including the Open University.
The appointment is subject to University Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, and
Regulations and to the standard Terms and Conditions of Appointment for Academic
Staff.
The initial salary will be within the professorial range.
Academic and related staff eligible for membership may, immediately on starting their
employment, join USS - the occupational pension scheme provided by this University.
Unless, prior to becoming an employee he/she declares in writing a wish not be a
member of USS he/she will automatically be deemed to be a member from the start of
the employment and contributions will be deducted accordingly. Contributions at the
rate of 6.35% of salary will be deducted from the date of entry to the Scheme, at
which time full details of benefits, etc. will be forwarded by the University
Superannuation Office, from whom further information can be obtained at any time. The
University contributes an amount equal to approximately 14% of salary.
Staff are required to reside in or near Leicester unless otherwise especially
permitted. The University has a scheme whereby it is prepared to give some assistance
towards removal expenses in certain cases. There is a wide variety of accommodation
available within easy reach of the University. Leicester enjoys excellent shopping,
cultural and recreational facilities; it boasts one of the country's leading
provincial theatres and is one of the major concert venues outside London. Some of
the most pleasing landscapes of middle England are to be found in the unspoilt
countryside and picturesque villages of rural Leicestershire.
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES
Candidates who are interested in the Chair are invited, if they so wish, to contact
Mr. Christopher Rolfe, telephone (0116) 252 2694, email [log in to unmask]
One unbound copy of the letter of application, with the names and addresses of three
persons to whom reference may be made, should be forwarded to reach the Personnel
Office (Professorial Appointments) not later than 9 June 2000.
Keith Julian
Registrar and Secretary
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH
Telephone (0116) 252 2422
Fax (0116) 252 5140
May 2000
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George Ferzoco Office: Attenborough Tower 1112
Director of Italian Studies Office Tel: ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
University of Leicester Office Fax: ++ 44 (0)116 252 2657
School of Modern Languages Secretary Tel:++ 44 (0)116 252 2680
University Road Secretary Fax:++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
LEICESTER LE1 7RH e-mail: [log in to unmask]
UNITED KINGDOM http://www.le.ac.uk/ml/gpf2/gpf2.html
List owner of italian-studies:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/italian-studies
List owner of medieval-religion:
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion
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