Conrad Grebel University College

Conrad Grebel University College invites applications for a full-time continuing contract faculty position in undergraduate History and graduate Theological Studies at the University of Waterloo, with a teaching and research specialty in sixteenth century Anabaptism and Mennonite History. The appointment will begin July 1, 2011 at either the Assistant or Associate Professor level. The College will begin reviewing applications on November 15, 2010. The College is committed to employment equity. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

2. Position Description

This is a regular, full time, continuing contract position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level.
This position involves undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, and community education. This faculty member will be the primary instructor in this subject area at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo and will also be a major resource person on Anabaptist and Mennonite history, theology and culture for Mennonites locally and globally.  Considerable interaction with congregations, pastors, and Mennonite organizations is to be expected.

2.1. Areas of undergraduate teaching

• Anabaptist and Mennonite history
• 16th century Anabaptist origins and the development of the Mennonite tradition
• Reformation history
• Church history

2.2. Areas of graduate teaching and supervision

• Anabaptist and Mennonite history and theology
• 16th century Anabaptist origins and the development of the Mennonite tradition
• the interpretation of Anabaptism and the Mennonite tradition
• Specialized Anabaptist and Mennonite themes based on the faculty member's research

2.3. Research specialization

• Anabaptist origins and early development
• Mennonite history and theology

2.4. Experience and competencies

• A completed doctoral degree is required
• Experience teaching undergraduates is preferred
• Experience teaching graduate students and supervising theses is preferred
• Experience teaching in informal settings such as churches is preferred
• Experience participating in Mennonite churches and organizations is preferred
• Experience living and/or researching internationally is preferred

2.5. Schedule

• Application date - November 15, 2010
• Appointment commencing - July 1, 2011

3. Instructions and Information for Applicants 

3.1. Submit printed and digital copy of the following by November 15, 2010:

• Application letter indicating reasons for applying and summarizing qualifications.
• Curriculum vitae.

c)  Names and contact information of three references who have agreed to provide letters of reference and respond to questions from the search committee if requested. References should comment, to the extent that they are able, on the quality of the candidate’s scholarship, teaching competence, potential contribution to Anabaptist and Mennonite scholarship, capacity for public service, and collegial attributes.

3.2. All applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted further.

3.3. A short list of candidates will be asked to provide three letters of reference (see 1.c) and other documentation of teaching, research and service. These candidates may be contacted for preliminary telephone or in-person interviews with some or all members of the search committee, and they may also be asked to provide the names and contact information of additional references to be contacted by the search committee.

3.4. Some candidates may be invited to campus during January - March 2011 for interviews and presentations to classes and various groups.

3.5. If the Search Committee agrees on a candidate, it will recommend the candidate to the College Council. If the College Council agrees on a candidate, it will recommend the candidate to the College President. If the President accepts the recommendation of College Council, s/he will recommend the candidate to the Board of Governors.  The Board gives final approval for the appointment.

3.6. The preferred schedule for the appointment process is to receive approval of the appointment from the Board in spring 2011.

3.7. During the search process the College may decide, because of changing circumstances, not to make a full time appointment at this time but to fill the position with a part time or term appointment or to extend the application process. 

4. Appointment Procedures and Conditions

An initial appointment at the Assistant Professor level is normally made for a three year term, which, upon satisfactory review, is followed by a second three year term, after which the faculty member is eligible for consideration for continuing contract. An initial appointment at the Associate Professor level is normally made for a three year term, after which, upon satisfactory review, the faculty member is eligible for consideration for continuing contract.

College Policy 333, “Appointments, Promotions and Continuing Contracts,” states that “all faculty appointments are expected to reflect the College’s identity as a Christian College standing within the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. In keeping with this identity, the College retains its right to appoint and reappoint faculty members who are active participants in a Mennonite congregation and/or whose Christian faith is compatible with the Anabaptist/Mennonite understanding of the Christian faith which defines the identity of the College.”  It also states that the College is committed to “faculty renewal through the appointment of junior faculty members and the employment of women and other members of under-represented and disadvantaged groups.”

5. Background Information

5.1 Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC) has a reputation among scholars and church leaders as a major centre for the study of sixteenth century Anabaptism and Mennonite history. This reputation is based on the distinguished scholarship of Walter Klaassen, Werner Packull, and Arnold Snyder. The College's library and archival resources have been developed to support scholarship in this area.

5.2 This faculty member will be the primary instructor in sixteenth century Anabaptism and Reformation studies at CGUC and the University of Waterloo (UW) for the undergraduate history and religious studies programs. This is a significant responsibility and opportunity. 

5.3 This area of teaching and research complements the scholarly activities of the College's other historian, Marlene Epp, whose focus is primarily on twentieth century Mennonites.

5.4 The graduate Theological Studies program at CGUC and UW is designed to provide an Anabaptist perspective within an ecumenical context. Courses in Anabaptism and Mennonite history and theology are central to the program.  The program has been shaped by the conviction that Anabaptism and Mennonite history and theology should be examined and understood within the context of the great historic Christian traditions. A faculty member with specific expertise in Anabaptism and Mennonite history, a high level of competence in the wider history of the Christian tradition, and who shows promise of being an excellent thesis advisor to graduate students is required to fulfill these program expectations.  

5.5 CGUC and UW offer the minor, option, and diploma in Mennonite Studies. Undergraduate courses in Anabaptism, Mennonite history, and Reformation studies are key components.

5.6  As an affiliate member of the Toronto School of Theology (TST) CGUC offers courses and mentors graduate students through their doctoral programs. This requires a scholar who can make a distinctively Anabaptist contribution to the TST curriculum as a teacher and advisor to doctoral students.

5.7 The Mennonite church community relies on the expertise of the scholars at CGUC in many ways, and certainly in Anabaptism and Mennonite history. A full time faculty member in this discipline is an important resource for this supporting constituency.

5.8 The wider community depends on CGUC to bring Mennonite perspectives into public debate when relevant.  A historian who is able to articulate the identity and contributions of Mennonites is a significant asset in this community.

6. Contact Information

Email:   cgucprof@uwaterloo.ca
Mail:     Faculty Search
            Conrad Grebel University College
            140 Westmount Rd. N, Waterloo, ON
            N2L 3G6
Phone:  519-885-0220 (ext. 24265)