Mount Royal University (MRU) is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor position in the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures with a specialization in Indigenous Literatures to start July 1, 2022 subject to budgetary approval. For the purposes of this position, Indigenous Literatures may include written and oral traditions from a wide variety of cultural and physical locations.

Mount Royal University (MRU) is located within the traditional homelands of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot, including the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai), the Tsuut’ina, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation. MRU is guided by Treaty No. 7, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and by the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, nearly 15,000 credit students choose from 12 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis,” which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts houses the following departments: Economics, Justice & Policy Studies; English, Languages & Cultures; Humanities; Interior Design; Psychology; and Sociology & Anthropology. The Faculty of Arts houses more than 2,000 students seeking degrees in Anthropology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Interior Design, Policy Studies, Psychology, and Sociology, and offers over 30,000 seats in Arts courses each year. In addition, the Faculty of Arts offers 26 minors over a diverse range of disciplines and teaches a large majority of courses associated with General Education foundation courses. Arts faculty have received national and international recognition for their teaching and research, hold Tri-Council grants, publish books, and disseminate research in top-ranked academic journals.

About the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures

Building on its history at Mount Royal and its location in Calgary, the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures is passionately committed to the study of writing as well as of literary and filmic texts. The Department offers a degree program in the Bachelor of Arts (English), with streams for a Major in English as well as the Honours degree; it also offers Minors in Creative Writing, Film Studies, Environmental Humanities, English, Spanish, and French. The Honours program concludes with a fall-term capstone seminar (ENGL 5110) that includes professionalization-training and an annual student conference where students showcase their Honours theses. The overall four-year degree program is accredited by the Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC). Our degree pathways (through the Major and Honours) follow a highly integrated curriculum bringing together literary themes, periods, theory, composition, creative writing, research, and practice. The program prepares students for graduate studies as well as other avenues of advanced study, including education, law, and library studies. Our graduates go on to careers focused on research, writing, publishing, and editing—anything, in fact, where clear, competent writing and communication are valued. We value supportive learning, inclusiveness, and equity, with a strong tradition of smaller class sizes, which allow for personalized learning and enhanced student participation.

Our award-winning faculty offer a rich variety of both traditional and cutting edge courses, with a strong emphasis on developing the critical and creative writing of our students. We read the text not just to find out what it says, but to see how it works—how it shapes our critical and ethical sensibilities, our awareness of culture and tradition, and our identities as peoples in communities larger than ourselves. 

Applicants are encouraged to review the Bachelor of Arts (English) information at https://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/Arts/Departments/EnglishLanguagesCultures/index.htm

About the Role

Mount Royal University (MRU) is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor position in the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures with a specialization in Indigenous Literatures to start July 1, 2022 subject to budgetary approval. For the purposes of this position, Indigenous Literatures may include written and oral traditions from a wide variety of cultural and physical locations.

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/scholarship/service pattern (TSS) focuses on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member establishes and maintains a research program and is involved in service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching service pattern (TS) has a focus on teaching and service only. There is an option to change work patterns after tenure. This position is open to either the TS or TSS work pattern.

A completed Ph.D with a specialization in Indigenous Literatures is preferred.  Candidates with a Master’s degree and experience in Indigenous community involvement and/or Indigenous ways of knowing will be considered. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in post-secondary teaching and research (if applying to the TSS work stream). Ideally, the candidate will add breadth to the Department’s current course offerings in Indigenous Literatures, while also being able to contribute to the development of new curriculum in these areas. Preference will be given to applicants whose work privileges Indigenous perspectives, epistemologies, and pedagogies. The successful candidate will be expected to teach local and/or international Indigenous Literatures at all undergraduate levels of the curriculum, mentor students, engage with Indigenous community partners, and actively participate in program and curriculum development. 

Our goal is to Indigenize and decolonize Mount Royal University, to respect and embrace Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, to integrate Indigenous teachings and practices, support Indigenous learners, and to honour Indigenous experiences and identities. We seek to do our part to address the legacy of broken promises and rebuild the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Calgary and beyond. We began this process with an Indigenous Strategic Plan (https://www.mtroyal.ca/IndigenousMountRoyal/index.htm) and through resources such as a steering committee led by the newly-created Associate Vice-President, Indigenization and Decolonization, the Office of Academic Indigenization and Decolonization, and the Iniskim Centre which offers programs and services to increase the engagement and success of Indigenous students while also raising awareness of Indigenous peoples and cultures.

Though not expected, candidates may be encouraged to teach courses in General Education. The Department of General Education is responsible for the development and delivery of the liberal education component of all Mount Royal University undergraduate degree programs and offers required foundational first-year courses and a wide variety of upper-level courses. 

Key faculty responsibilities for the successful candidate will include:

• Teaching undergraduate courses in Indigenous Literatures;
• Collaborating effectively with full-time and contract faculty members on curriculum re-development and educational innovation;
• Remaining current in areas of teaching responsibility and maintaining awareness of emerging trends;
• Engaging in scholarship in the discipline (if the TSS work pattern is chosen);
• Contributing to program, university, and community service.

For further information, contact Dr. Robert Boschman, Chair, Department of English, Languages, and Cultures at (403) 660-0216 or rboschman@mtroyal.ca.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public. 

All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access campus. This is a condition of employment. 

Apply here: https://mtroyalca.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/1672

Closing Date: March 25, 2022 (or until a suitable candidate is found)

If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.