SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY - SCHOOL OF CULTURAL STUDIES
(Media Studies Subject Group)
Job Description
Lecturer in Professional Writing
Temporary (until February 9th 2002)
(full time or 2 x 0.5)
to start in September 2000 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Job outline main duties and responsibilities
To contribute to the teaching and running of a range of writing units on the BA
(Hons) Media Studies degree. The particular emphasis of these units centres
around print journalism with specialist options being offered in such topics as
public relations, feature writing, sports journalism etc. The person
appointed would be required to teach general journalist practice in the context
of a media studies degree and would additionally be able to select, in
consultation with the course team, topic or topics of their own choosing to
contribute to the specialist options. The post will also carry an
administrative role, such as level tutor, to be negotiated with the subject
group.
Skills/experience required
The person appointed needs to have professional experience as a print
journalist and to have experience of teaching writing at higher education
level.
This temporary vacancy arises out of the need to replace a member of staff on
who is on leave. The immediate need is to cover the teaching of professional
writing in Semester 1. However there is a possibility teaching cover may also
be needed in Semester 2.
The unit on which we have a particular need for teaching and unit leadership is
Writing 3 in Semester 1.
This Level 3 unit seeks to develop students writing skills and introduce them
to a number of specialist areas of writing for the media. It also offers
students the opportunity to write an evaluative essay on the styles and
conventions of the particular genre they choose to work in.
Content
Writing about Music
Writing about Sport
Writing for Alternative Publications
Writing TV Documentaries
Writing Columns
Writing about Politics
The person appointed may also need to contribute a small amount of teaching on
other Writing units and final details about the teaching will be made in
consultation with the course leader and subject group leader and the other
staff involved in teaching writing. The list of specialist topics covered in
Writing 3 is indicative and some change to those indicated to take account of
areas of specialism of the person appointed is possible. However it will be
essential that the person(s) appointed takes on the unit leadership* role and
at least most of the teaching for Writing 3.
* [All units have a unit leader who is responsible for overseeing the running
of units and co-ordinating teaching and assessment on that unit and ensuring
that the aims and objectives, agreed in discussion with the subject group and
the course team, are met.]
Were teaching to be available in Semester 2 this would probably be on the
following units:
Writing Skills (Level 1, Semester 2)
Writing 2 in Semester 2
Writing 4 in Semester 2
These units are all team taught with other members of the teaching staff.
In addition to the specific teaching needs identified above, we are
particularly interested in applicants who are committed to developing Media
Studies as a field of study and research and/or are actively involved in
exploring the relationship between media theory and media practice.
Closing date for applications: August 30th 2000
Interview: The interview will be in the week beginning September 11th,
hopefully on September 11th.
Since shortlisting will not take place until September 4th, shortlisted
candidates will be informed by phone or email and subsequently by letter.
Candidates are asked to supply a telephone number where they can be contacted
in the week of September 4th and/or an email address.
Presentation: Candidates will be invited to give a 10 minute presentation on
the problems and possibilities of teaching professional writing at
undergraduate level.
This job will shortly be advertised on www.//jobs.ac.uk and further information
and details can be obtained from the Human Resources department at Sheffield
Hallam University: 0114.225.5555
If potential candidates wish to have informal discussion about the vacancy they
can contact Paul Marris or Tessa Perkins on 0114.225.2656 or e.mail Paul
Marris: [log in to unmask]
Organisational arrangements and other duties:
Academic staff are all members of a particular subject group which has
responsibility for a range of units which lie in its area. As members of
that group they contribute not only to the groups teaching but also to its
administrative responsibilities, its research and/or professional practice
profile and to future academic developments. In addition to the normal
administration involved in teaching, all staff are asked to take on an
administrative role - such as level tutor, admissions or exams officer. It is
expected that the person appointed will share the Level 2 & 3 tutor role with J
Greaves. Staff generally rotate between roles on a three year basis, although
this is a matter for negotiation within the subject group.
Staff with appropriate interests and qualifications sometimes contribute
teaching to other degrees as well (e.g. Womens Studies or Communication
Studies). Academic staff are automatically members of all course teams of
which the units they teach on are a designated part. As such they contribute
to the administration and development of those degrees as appropriate.
The BA Media Studies
The undergraduate degree offers students a broad theoretical and practical
introduction to a range of media. It is not a vocational degree, but it does
offer students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge associated with
particular media production areas. The first year units provide a practical and
analytical introduction to a range of media forms and a historical introduction
to the mass media in Britain. The second year theoretical units are Reading
Media Texts and Comparative Analysis of International Media, and the media
studies options include Theories of Textual Analysis, Theorising News, Popular
Music: Production and Consumption, Gender, Media, Culture. Students also
choose to do one of a number of production options (video, broadcast
journalism, radio, electronic publishing, photography or writing). In the
third year the theoretical units are Media & Modernity and Media Audiences,
with options in Contemporary Media Policy and TV Fictions, Popular Music: Text
& Context. Generally students continue their chosen production option in year
three. Students may also take options from other degree routes, or
interdisciplinary options or an ISU (Independent Study Unit).
Tessa Perkins
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|
