Assistant Professor, English-Medieval literature expertise

Position Details

Position Information

Winthrop Position Title Assistant Professor, English-Medieval literature expertise Job Description

The Department of English at Winthrop University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Medieval Literature. The successful candidate will have teaching and research expertise in medieval literature cultures and be able to contribute to a curriculum that brings medieval texts into conversations with later literary traditions, global contexts, and diverse forms of storytelling.

Teaching responsibilities will support undergraduate and graduate programs, including significant contributions to Winthrop's innovative general education core (Composition, The Human Experience, and Critical Reading, Thinking, and Writing). This individual must have both a strong teaching record and a promising research agenda.

Position Responsibilities

Teach courses in their area of specialization as well as contribute to the department's comprehensive undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Teaching responsibilities may include Chaucer, Shakespeare, World Literature, and other courses in medieval and early modern literature and culture. The successful candidate will also contribute to the Medieval Studies minor, including developing and teaching courses that explore a range of medieval and early modern texts, genres, traditions, and forms of storytelling. As part of the department's broader teaching mission, the successful candidate will also contribute to the university's general education curriculum, which may include WRIT 101, HMXP, and CRTW.

We prefer candidates who can help students encounter the medieval world through an expansive understanding of literary culture and who can make connections across periods, traditions, media, and cultures. Possible areas of interest might include, but are not limited to, manuscript and book history; gender and sexuality; race and ethnicity; religion; material culture; environmental humanities; digital humanities; adaptation and reception; global or comparative medieval studies; and histories and theories of narrative.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching, an active scholarly agenda, and collaborative participation in the intellectual and curricular life of the department and university.

Major responsibilities include:

• Teaching the equivalent of twelve contact hours each semester, including those in the general education core, as well as upper-division courses and graduate courses in the area of specialization.
• Developing curricula and new courses for the B.A. and M.A. programs.
• Pursuing productive research in the discipline and promote undergraduate and graduate research.
• Advising and mentoring English majors.
• Participating in professional service activities for the department, college, university, and discipline.
• Other duties as assigned by the department chair.

About the College

To learn more about the College of Arts & Sciences please visit:

https://www.winthrop.edu/cas/

About Winthrop University

Founded in 1886, Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, offers its 5,200-plus undergraduate and graduate students an educational experience that blends liberal arts, professional programs, global awareness, and civic engagement. In its colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business and Technology; Education, Sport, and Human Sciences; and Visual and Performing Arts, Winthrop embraces only those programs and activities that can be delivered at an exemplary level. Winthrop University is achieving national stature as a competitive and distinctive co-educational, public, residential, comprehensive, values-oriented institution. The values of service, excellence, community, and leadership provide the foundation for Winthrop's continuing development and shape Winthrop's continuing success. Numerous national accolades reflect the sustained high quality and value of the Winthrop Experience, including the most recent U.S. News & World Report's ranking of Winthrop as one of the top-10 public comprehensive universities in the South. Winthrop is an active member of the Rock Hill community and recognized as a key component of the region's economic resurgence. Approximately 20 minutes from Charlotte, North Carolina, Winthrop has direct access to and is engaged in a broad and expansive regional business community. Winthrop's beautiful campus encompasses a rich architectural blend of neo-Georgian buildings and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. The attractive recreational and research complex area that surrounds Winthrop Lake is home to Winthrop's 18 Division I men's and women's sports.

Benefits

At Winthrop University, we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that significantly enhances the total compensation for our employees. In partnership with the State of South Carolina and the Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), our benefits include health and life insurance, generous paid leave, parental leave, and retirement programs. These benefits reflect our commitment to supporting the well-being and financial security of our employees. For more information please visit: https://www.winthrop.edu/hr/employee-benefits.aspx.

Background Check

Winthrop University is committed to providing a safe campus community. Winthrop conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Position Availability 08/16/2027 Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in English, Medieval Studies, or a closely related field by the appointment date. ABD candidates will be considered and appointed at the rank of instructor until the doctorate is completed
• Specialization in Medieval Literature.
• Evidence of effective college-level teaching or potential for excellence in teaching.
• Evidence of an active scholarly agenda appropriate to a tenure-track position.
• Strong potential for contributions to WRIT 101, HMXP, and CRTW
• Interpersonal skills required for successful collaboration with colleagues and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability or interest in teaching Chaucer and a range of medieval literature.
• Ability to teach Shakespeare and/or other early modern literature.
• Ability to contribute to World Literature offerings
• Interest in developing interdisciplinary courses and contributing to the continued development of the Medieval Studies minor.
• Teaching or scholarship that expands students' understanding of medieval and early modern literary cultures through global, comparative, interdisciplinary, or innovative approaches to texts and storytelling.

Employment Conditions

This is a full-time, tenure-track appointment requiring daily on-campus contact; instructional duties during the academic year (9 months, Aug. 16 - May 15) come with the option to teach during the summers for additional compensation.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit 1) a letter of application stating candidate's qualifications for the position and teaching philosophy; 2) a current CV including the names, phone numbers, and email address of three professional references from whom letters of recommendation can be requested; 3) a sample of representative writing (an article, or chapter-length contribution); and 4) all graduate transcripts (unofficial are acceptable for initial review). All materials should be submitted by October 19, 2026.

Please contact Dr. Amanda Hiner at hinera@winthrop.edu with questions.

Three letters of recommendation will be requested from semifinalists at a later date. (The CV must include the names, phone numbers, and email addresses for all references.)

Open Date 09/15/2026 Application Review Date Close Date Posting Number 2027FC0016P PositionType: Faculty

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Faculty-Letter of application and statement of teaching philosophy
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing Sample
• Faculty-All transcripts

Optional Documents