Screenwriting & Playwriting Program Professor (Tenure-Track)

Screenwriting & Playwriting Program Professor (Tenure-Track)

Apply now Job no: 502079
Work type: Full-Time
Location: University City - Philadelphia, PA
Categories: Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

About the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

The creative heart of Drexel University, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design trains the next generation of scholars, thinkers, makers, and doers in the fields of media, entertainment, design, and the visual and performing arts. Westphal offers 18 undergraduate and nine graduate majors, housed in award-winning facilities that encourage collaboration across creative disciplines. At Westphal, we reimagine the role of design, media, and the arts in building a better future. Our programs challenge students to center sustainability, access, and equity in their approaches to art, fashion, architecture, gaming, entertainment, and scholarship. Through experiential learning, studio-based curriculum, and Drexel’s widely-recognized Cooperative Education program (co-op), our students are uniquely positioned to face the world’s challenges and define the creative careers of the 21st century. 

Job Summary

The Department of Cinema & Television seeks a talented writer to join our faculty team as a tenure-track professor in the undergraduate Screenwriting & Playwriting Program. We seek an energetic individual with a demonstrated record of innovative, diverse and inclusive work. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to diverse and inclusive teaching and an emerging creative agenda. We seek a partner to advance initiatives that align with our College and University strategic plan including, but not limited to, anti-racism/racial justice, decolonizing and diversifying the discipline and academia.

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University's Screenwriting & Playwriting Program is highly competitive and well-respected amongst industry leaders. The program collaboratively interfaces with other creative disciplines in the university, such as Film & Television Production, Theater, Entertainment & Arts Management, and Game Design & Production, allowing students to experience their work flowing through the complete production pipeline. Our students face a challenging writing curriculum that prepares them for the rigors of writing for production.

This full-time, tenure-track appointment anticipates areas of teaching that include all levels of screenwriting and select playwriting courses. Job responsibilities include teaching up to 24 credits, as well as service to the program, department, college, and University. Teaching load will be distributed over nine months of the year during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. As a tenure-track professor, research, scholarship, and creative activities are expected for the candidate to achieve tenure at a R1 university. Faculty are required to remain active in their creative endeavors, continuing their professional writing careers to produce the evidence that supports their tenure.

The ideal candidate brings a wealth of professional experience in the entertainment industry. They will have writing credits on films or television shows that have received mainstream distribution including major film festivals. Industry awards and recognition for projects written by the candidate are a plus. Experience in playwriting, with a track record of produced plays, is required. Prior teaching experience in a university setting is preferred, but not required. An interest in academic leadership and administration is desirable. The successful candidate will assume a leadership role in the Program.

This appointment will begin in September 2024.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrate inclusive and diverse teaching ability or artistic practice.
• Collaborate with faculty in the department to develop and implement effective, innovative, diverse, anti-racist and inclusive teaching practices and curriculum.
• Teach undergraduate courses in the Screenwriting & Playwriting Program including, but not limited to Screenwriting I, Screenplay Story Development, Playwriting I, Playwriting II, Playwriting Workshop, Page-to-Stage, Entertainment Storytelling Fundamentals, and additional screenwriting topics.
• Develop courses and course content for the Program.
• Demonstrate research, scholarship, and creative work that meets national/international standards of excellence toward achieving tenure.
• Mentor and advise Screenwriting & Playwriting students.
• Other teaching and mentoring duties in the Cinema & Television Department as assigned.
• Develop and maintain industry relationships supporting curriculum, student co-ops, and creative collaborations with the university’s Screenwriting & Playwriting Program.
• Assist in the programs’ administration including student recruitment, curriculum development and revisions, course evaluation, and raising awareness of the programs’ activities.
• Serve on committees for the college and university, maintain involvement in appropriate professional organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience in film, television and/or theater playwriting.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.
• Demonstrable depth, breadth and working knowledge of Screenwriting, Film & Television industry standards of writing and production, creative writing, and new media.
• Demonstrable depth, breadth and working knowledge of playwriting, theater industry standards of writing and production, and creative writing.
• Demonstrable professional writing credits.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience or interest in decolonizing and anti-racist pedagogy and practice in their respective field.
• Expertise/engagement with indigenous and/or non-European content and storytelling.
• Master’s degree in an applicable field.
• College-level teaching and administrative experience.

Location

University City – Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This is a full-time Faculty position classified as Exempt. The offered salary is dependent upon internal equity and the successful candidate’s competencies, education, and experience.

For information on our benefits offerings please review the Full-Time Faculty Benefit Fact Sheet .   

Special Instructions to the Applicant

In addition to your CV/resume and cover letter, please include the following when submitting your application:

• Brief statement articulating your commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism (IDEA) to include 1) the candidate’s values and commitment to IDEA and decolonizing and diversifying the discipline/field and its teaching, 2) candidate’s experiences working with diverse populations (students, colleagues, communities, etc.), and/or 3) the contributions they anticipate making to advance IDEA and decolonize academia at Drexel University
• List of 3 professional or academic references

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Oct 25 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Mar 8 2024 Eastern Standard Time

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