The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at the University of Oklahoma seeks a highly qualified and diverse applicant pool for an open rank specialist in Italian Renaissance and/or Medieval literature and culture. OU, a Carnegie R-1 comprehensive public research university, is home to the international literary magazine World Literature Today, the South Central Modern Languages Association, the Fred Jones Museum of Art, and the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.

The city of Norman is a vibrant university town ranked 6th best small city in the United States by CNN Money Magazine and offers a wide variety of activities in the arts and athletics. For information about the department, please visit http://modlang.ou.edu/; see below for more information about OU.

This hire will lead the Italian major and minor programs as well as have the opportunity to participate in the OU in Arezzo study abroad program (http://www.ou.edu/cis/education_abroad/programs/ou-in-arezzo.html). The successful candidate will maintain a strong research agenda; teach classes on Dante, Medieval, and Renaissance Italian literature as well as language and culture classes at the undergraduate level; revitalize recruitment and retention for the major; and carry out service to the institution.

The hire will work collaboratively with related units on campus, such as the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, English, Classics and Letters, History of Science, and others. The position is a 9-month faculty appointment and carries a teaching load of 12 credit hours (4 classes) per year in both Italian and English.

Minimum requirements: PhD in Italian or a related field; record of research publications in top-tier national and international venues and/or evidence of outstanding research potential; minimum three years' experience teaching Italian to non-native speakers at the college level; evidence of teaching excellence; native or near-native fluency in Italian and excellent command of English.

Preferred qualifications: History of competitive external grant funding; publication of a single-authored scholarly book in print with a reputable top-tier press; record of publications in top-tier national venues in English.

Instructions to apply:

· Priority deadline is October 21, 2016; applications may be considered until the position is filled. Note: there is no online application for this position.
· All application materials will be sent with subject line "Italian Application" via email to Dr. Logan Whalen, Search Chair ([email protected]); letters of recommendation should be sent under separate cover.

· Required materials:
· A 1-2 page cover letter detailing how the candidate's experience meets the job requirements and will enable her/him to excel in this role. Please make specific reference to outstanding teaching and research potential.
· Curriculum vitae or resume.
· 1-2 writing samples.
· PhD transcripts or a PDF of the degree.
· Minimum 2 complete sets of recent teaching evaluations including student comments.
· Four letters of recommendation under separate cover from experts in the candidate's field.

Review of complete applications will begin after the deadline and will continue until the position is filled. Preliminary interviews will be conducted via Skype in November, followed by campus interviews with short-listed candidates in late fall or early spring.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a Carnegie-R1 comprehensive public research university known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region, and nation from three campuses: Norman, Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and the Schusterman Center in Tulsa. OU enrolls over 30,000 students and has more than 2700 full-time faculty members in 21 colleges.

In 2014, OU became the first public institution ever to rank #1 nationally in the recruitment of National Merit Scholars, with 311 scholars. The 277-acre Research Campus in Norman was named the No.1 research campus in the nation by the Association of Research Parks in 2013. Norman is a culturally rich and vibrant town located just outside Oklahoma City. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender on the "Best Places to Live" rankings. Visit www.soonerway.ou.edu for more information.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Logan E. Whalen
Professor of French
University of OKlahoma
Department of Modern Languages,
Literatures, and Linguistics
Norman, OK 73019