James Madison University's School of Music seeks applicants from outstanding teacher-scholars for the full-time, tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Music Theory as part of an 11-position integrative arts cohort hire in JMU's College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). We conceive of integrative arts as combining artistic and/or disciplinary perspectives and/or practices around contemporary issues. This may include—but is not limited to—cross- inter-, multi-, and/or trans-disciplinary work. Our cohort will collaborate to develop courses, curricula, and research agendas that promote integrative arts and design practices and advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access (viewed through lenses that may include, but are not limited to culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexuality, and/or veteran status). These individuals will complement and expand CVPA strengths in anti-bias/anti-racist pedagogy, artmaking, arts and technology, community engagement, culturally-sustaining practice, design justice, design thinking, educator preparation, entrepreneurial thinking, and design- or arts-based research.
Our new colleague will join a dynamic, collaborative, and collegial team of theorists and composers who are working together to build a theory and aural skills curriculum that is just, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the 21st-century student. We are committed to expanding the boundaries of music theory through learning from others, including those outside the discipline, and are dedicated to supporting colleagues doing the same. In addition to teaching theory and aural skills, the successful candidate will be given a music course release once every two years to develop and co-teach an integrative arts course open to all majors in the CVPA.
Responsibilities may include teaching aural skills and music theory courses at all levels of the curriculum, contributing as a leader to curricular revision in aural skills, teaching upper-level electives that may focus on the candidate's areas of scholarly interest, and maintaining an active research agenda and service profile.
Required:
- Hold the PhD or be ABD in music theory or a related field. ABD candidates should have an expected graduation date within one year after the start date of the position.
- Evidence of ability to contribute as a leader to the aural skills program through both teaching and ongoing curricular revision and to expand course offerings in our written modular theory curriculum, which includes Western classical music, popular music, and jazz, by teaching courses that differ from those currently available. We particularly encourage applications from teacher-scholars who specialize in music outside the Western classical tradition.
- Potential to offer graduate and undergraduate seminars in areas of interest that differ from that of our current faculty. Topics such as postcolonial theory; critical theory; diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice; and/or repertoires outside Western classical and popular traditions are strongly desirable.
- Evidence of ability to perform research in an area that differs from that of current faculty and which will inform course offerings at all levels of the curriculum.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for developing and maintaining collegial, effective relationships with colleagues who care deeply about providing an education that contributes to a more just and inclusive society.
Preferred:
- Success teaching collegiate aural skills and music theory courses involving repertoire outside Western classical and popular traditions.
- Evidence of, or potential to develop, an active record of research in music theory that differs from the interests of current faculty. Topics such as non-Western music, jazz, 20th- and 21st-century music, cognition, film music, video game music, and disability studies are desirable.
- Motivation to engage in meaningful and deliberate discussion about how music theory and aural skills course offerings can continue to be modified and expanded to address the changing landscape of music higher education, especially in relation to recent calls for more diverse and inclusive pedagogy.
- Ability to develop and teach one or more integrative arts courses (see definition under "General information") for undergraduate students, and/or engage with undergraduate or graduate student researchers.
To apply, please visit https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/13196 and complete a faculty application. A complete application will include a cover letter specific to this position, a curriculum vitae, names and contact information for at least three references, and a Statement of Inclusive Excellence that articulates the applicant’s vision for the role of inclusivity in equitable transformation of higher education institutions generally and the applicant’s discipline specifically. Additional materials may be requested later in the search process. While priority will be given to applications received by November 14, 2022, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
John Peterson (peter2jr@jmu.edu)