Italian 2014-2015

Page for Italian Jobs that begin in 2015

Last year's page: Italian 2013-2014

RSS Feed: http://academicjobs.wikia.com/wiki/Italian_2014-2015?feed=rss&action=history

Your Status
PhD in hand, currently in TT job: 3

PhD in hand, currently in non-TT job (lecturer, etc.): 4

PhD in hand VAP: 3

PhD in hand adjunct: 2

PhD in hand postdoc fellowship: 2

PhD in hand, unemployed: 1

PhD in hand, non-academic job: 1

ABD, looking to defend this year: 5

ABD in non-TT job: 1

Your Field
SLA/Pedagogy (language and culture):

Linguistics and sociolinguistics:

Translation:

Auburn University (AL) - Assistant Professor, Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures
Responsibilities: Teaching undergraduate level courses in Italian language, literature, and culture/civilization; and establishing an independent research program in Italian.

Requirements: Must have a Ph.D. in Italian. Must be able to communicate effectively in English and Italian. Position requires evidence of successful teaching at the college level and of potential for successful research and scholarly/professional activities. Must have authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely.

Send letter application, curriculum vita, official transcripts, three recommendation and sample teaching evaluations to Chair Search Committee, Italian Position, Department of Foreign Languages & Literature, 6030 Haley Center, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5204 (Ref:1716).

See more at: https://chroniclevitae.com/jobs/0000843003-01#sthash.Daxk030v.dpuf

Deadline: September 18, 2014.

UPDATES:


 * Any news? Auburn University posted another tenure-track position in Italian years ago (2012)...what happened?


 * (9/28) Something is weird here. I wanted to share with this community my recent experience applying for this job. My application was in on time, however I wrote to the office ahead of the deadline to let them know that one of my refs needed a bit more time, but that I would have a dossier service send the letter ASAP. They politely enough responded thanking me for letting them know. (This was to a generic department email address, and whoever wrote the email only signed "FLL" for Foreign Lang & Lit -- lack of transparency already a bit odd.) The letters of ref went out postmarked by the deadline and should have arrived within a couple days. Surprisingly, I recieved an email from the dossier service saying the letters were returned. All of this was less than a week after the deadline. I forwarded the email right away asking for someone to verify the address and if they would like me to have the service resend via post, or email the letters at this point. I was shocked to receive a terse response from the chair stating that the address was correct but "unfortunately" it was too late to do anything at this point. I wrote back saying there might have been a miscommunication: MY application materials (that I sent) arrived on time and were presumably with the committee. The letters, for reasons unknown to me and out of my control, were returned to the service. I can have them sent via email at this point, or post again. She wrote back within an hour to say she understood the situation, and that "unfortunately" it was too late. This is reprehensible behavior. Several faculty members that have served on many new hire committees at a variety of institutions with whom I have shared this experience are utterly aghast at the chair's dismissive officious decision. After the hours spent preparing an application, thinking about the uni, how we could fit in there, improve it, gathering the specific materials they want, etc., to have such disregard for a candidate's efforts, scholarship, work -- it's really horrible. Given the paucity of options we have this year, and for many years now, of course if you get an interview, campus visit, and offer (!)  from these people you will have to seriously consider it. But this is the type of person (type of people?) with whom you will be working. For my situation, the bottom line is that they were probably not interested, but it is hard to believe that within four business days the committee had read the applications and deliberated to the point where they would have communicated a long list to the chair. It was an odd, unfortunate, and upsetting experience.


 * -I guess this time they are receiving 500 applications.
 * - In 2014, they accepted only paper applications. Their commodore 64 couldn't keep up with the high volume of applications.
 * - "Must have authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely." Assholes.

===Boston College (MA) - TT Asst. Professor of Italian, Modern and Contemporary=== Boston College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Italian specializing in the modern and contemporary periods. This is a full-time, tenure-track appointment with a 2/3 teaching load. Contract begins July 1, 2015.

QUALIFICATIONS: The position entails the teaching of courses in nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century literature and culture (including film and other visual culture) at both the undergraduate and graduate (M.A.) levels, as well as upper-level language courses. We seek a candidate with native or near native fluency in Italian and English, with Ph.D. in hand and evidence of excellence in teaching at the college level, as well as a vigorous research and publication profile. We are especially interested in candidates who can participate effectively in interdisciplinary programs affiliated with other departments within the university.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit letter of application, CV, three letters of reference, and teaching evaluations via Interfolio by November 14, 2014. Interviews will be held at the January 2015 MLA Convention in Vancouver, Canada.

http://apply.interfolio.com/26628

UPDATES:


 * - Am I cynical (or jaundiced, as you like) if I think we have already a winner here (current VAP)?


 * - You are realistic.


 * - Yep. This is the classic search where the poor candidates kill themselves (and even pay a uselessly expensive flight) while Boston faculty just wanna have a paid trip to Vancouver already knowing who the winner is. In any case, here it is uber-obvious at least.... but all universities already have their candidates. Wake up everyone!
 * A rischio di apparire di un'ingenuita' disarmante, vorrei domandare: c'e' qualcuno ben informato e in buona fede in grado di dire se varrebbe veramente la pena recarsi a Vancouver in caso di offerta di un colloquio da parte di BC? La ragione della domanda e' ovvia: salvaguardia del peculio, dato che ci si asterrebbe volentieri dallo sperperarlo.
 * I don't know if anybody can give you a definite answer on this. The truth is that, even in searches where all seemed aldready decided, it has happened that another candidate was chosen instead. So you have to make a judgment call and decide if you feel like giving it a try and investing your money/time. In bocca al lupo!
 * Thank you for your opinion, which makes perfect sense and is wise. Buona fortuna anche a te!

College of Staten Island, CUNY (NY) - TT Asst. Professor - Italian
The Department of World Languages and Literatures at The College of Staten Island (CSI), a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), invites applications for a tenure-track position in Italian at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning Fall 2015. The successful candidate will teach courses ranging from introductory Italian language to upper-level literature, and culture courses in his/her area of specialization from a multidisciplinary perspective. Responsibilities include: advising and mentoring students, performing departmental and college service, coordinating multi-section courses and developing initiatives for program growth. A candidate should demonstrate a concrete record of research and publication, excellence in teaching, and the performance of department and college service. The successful candidate will present credentials appropriate for possible appointment to the doctoral faculty of the CUNY Graduate School.

Required: a Ph.D. degree must have been conferred at the time of appointment. The area of specialization is 19th and 20th century Italian literature. An interest in early 20th century narrative, poetry and theater is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate native/near-native fluency in English and Italian, a commitment to undergraduate education, competence in foreign language pedagogy, and the ability to participate in a number of interdisciplinary programs on campus. Salary range is commensurate with experience.

To apply and view complete job description and requirements, log on to http://www.cuny.edu. Find Job ID 11463. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a letter of application (outlining research agenda and teaching experience), curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must comment on teaching. This job closes December 1, 2014. EO/AA Employer

UPDATES:

Columbia University (NY) - TT Assistant Professor of Italian
The Department of Italian at Columbia University announces a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor specializing in Mediterranean Studies post-1700, to begin July 1, 2015. Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We welcome applications from scholars whose formal training is in Italian literature, history, anthropology, or a related interdisciplinary field. Beyond teaching in the field of specialization, the successful candidate will be expected to teach in Columbia's Core Curriculum. Ph.D. is required to be in hand at the time of appointment.

All applications must be made through Columbia University's Recruitment of Academic Personnel System (RAPS) and must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and list of references. Applicants also should arrange for three letters of reference to be uploaded into RAPS. For more information and to apply, please go to http://academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=59817

UPDATES:

Texas Christian University (TX) - TT Asst. Professor of Italian
The Department of Modern Language Studies welcomes applications for a full-time tenure-track Italian Assistant Professor, beginning in August 2015. Duties include teaching undergraduate level Italian language, literature, film and culture, and participating in service at departmental, college, and university levels. Candidates should be interested in developing the program and will co-ordinate and participate in extracurricular Italian activities and events. Teaching load is 3/2.

Position Requirements:

Requirements:
 * Candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in Italian literature and/or culture in hand by August 2015.
 * Applicants must have at least two years successful teaching experience at the university level and evidence of successful research agenda.
 * Native or near-native fluency in Italian required.

Applicants should submit a letter of application and a current CV on line at https:/tcu,igreentree.com/CSS_Faculty. Applications not submitted online will not be considered. Contact Jacqulyn Curry, TCU Employment Manager, for any questions or problems with your application at 817-257-5255 or j.curry@tcu.edu.

Application Deadline: November 3, 2014

UPDATES:

University of Arizona (AZ) - TT Assistant Professor of Italian-Italian Cinema
The Department of French and Italian at the University of Arizona invites applications for a faculty position beginning in Fall 2015. The area of specialization is Italian Cinema, with critical, trans-disciplinary, and/or comparative approaches to film and media studies. A secondary area of expertise in modern Italian literature and theatre is highly desirable. Candidates whose research and/or teaching would advance one or more of the College of Humanities’ strategic initiatives: global studies, border studies, digital humanities, visual cultures, multilingualism are especially encouraged to apply. Ph.D. required by 5/30/15. The successful candidate will teach 2 courses per semester. Review begins on 11/15/14. Preliminary interviews will be conducted at the MLA Convention annual meeting January 8-11, 2015. The University of Arizona is an EO/AA employer. For further information on this posting and its application requirements, the department and the benefits of working for the University, visit the following links: MLA JIL 10/10/14
 * http://www.UACareers.com/56624
 * http://french.arizona.edu

https://apply.interfolio.com/27143

UPDATES:

===University of California at Berkeley (CA) - TT Assistant Professor of Renaissance/Early Modern Visual Culture=== Departments of History of Art and Italian Studies, University of California at Berkeley. Assistant Professor of Renaissance/Early Modern Visual Culture in the Mediterranean world (tenure-track). Appointment effective July 1, 2015; candidates must have Ph.D. dissertation or equivalent underway at time of application. The Departments seek a specialist within the period (approx. 1300-1600) with strong interdisciplinary and/or comparative interests extending geographically beyond the boundaries of the Italian peninsula and the ability to contribute to the curricula and research profiles of both History of Art and Italian Studies. Areas of interest might include the relations between visual, verbal and material culture; travel studies; architectural history; cultural exchange between Europe and the East and/or Africa, or the New World. Teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels is expected, including the ability to teach in the Italian language where relevant.

Ph.D. or equivalent must be completed by July 1, 2015.

The Departments seek candidates whose research, teaching, and/or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education. Applications must include cover letter, brief statements of current research and teaching interests, current CV, writing sample (ca. 25 pages), and three letters of reference. Following University of California policy and California state law, all letters will be held in confidence. Even when letters are provided by a third party (e.g. dossier service), please refer recommenders to the UC Berkeley statement on confidentiality at http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html. All application materials should be uploaded to the secure search portal at https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/apply/JPF00475 by September 15, 2014. Questions can be addressed to Beate Fricke, Chair, Renaissance/Early Modern Visual Culture Search Committee, Department of History of Art, University of California at Berkeley, 415 Doe University Library, Berkeley, CA 94720-6020 at [mailto:ha_search@berkeley.edu ha_search@berkeley.edu].

UPDATES:
 * Also posted at Art History 2014-2015

University of Chicago (IL) - TT Assistant or Associate Professor in Modern Italian Literature
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago invites applications for a faculty position in modern Italian literature and culture (1850 to present) at the assistant (tenure-track) or associate (tenure-track or tenured) level, with a preferred start date of July 1, 2015.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate serious scholarly promise, commitment to excellence in teaching, native or near-native Italian and English, and a willingness to participate fully in a vibrant program with strong ties to neighboring disciplines in humanities, arts, and social sciences. For assistant-level candidates, PhD or defended dissertation by June 30, 2015, is highly preferred.

Applications must include a letter of interest/cover letter, CV, and writing sample. Applications must also include three letters of recommendation for applicants at the assistant level and a list of three referees for those applying at the associate level. If the writing sample is in Italian, a second one in English would be welcome, although not required. All materials, except letters of recommendation for assistant-level applicants and a list of referees for associate-level applicants, must be submitted online via the University of Chicago Academic Career Opportunities website at http://tinyurl.com/uofcitalian, posting #02292.

Recommendation letters for assistant-level applicants must be submitted by your referees or a portfolio service (such as Interfolio) either through the Academic Careers website (strongly preferred) or by email to jhurtart@uchicago.edu. A list of referees for associate-level applicants must be submitted through the Academic Careers website (strongly preferred) or by email to jhurtart@uchicago.edu.

For full consideration, all materials must be received by November 1, 2014. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled; no materials will be accepted after December 15, 2014.

UPDATES:


 * Most probably they want a woman (all the professors there are currently men).
 * You will NEVER find a job in Italian studies if you are not a woman and if you do not know well THE professor (male or female) who will make the choise for this Department. Unless of course, your supervisor can work the magic for u. Such a sad system....
 * I am wondering where are you getting this truth from.
 * To poster on men/women two posts back: not at all true.  I'm a relatively recent male hire in a full-time Italian Studies position and know of at least one job where a search committee could not reach a consensus because one faction was insisting on hiring a man.  I'm not saying it's easy (for a woman or a man) and consider myself extremely fortunate to be where I am, ma calmiamoci un po'!
 * Well, I kind of agree with the second post - I am a recent female hire and I know they hired my because they were all men and my advisor knew the chair of the Department. I am not saying I didn't deserve the position - but I feel we at least owe some honesty to the other candidates who didn't make it.
 * Notwithstanding our different areas of emphasis, nearly all of us with PhDs are suitably qualified for most positions advertised in the last few years. We're a cool bunch (imho), but for most Italian Studies tasks, we're pretty interchangeable. So the choice often comes down to other factors, and unfortunately, the who-knows-whom thing plays a disproportionate role among them. It came into play for my current (adjunct) position, and I hate that part of it—i.e., that one phone call by another academic counted for more in my selection than my years of study, research, and teaching. The testimony of those of you who have earned positions in truly open competitions in encouraging, but frequently that doesn't seem to be the system in play.
 * Guys, of all the places to be having this debate about, UChicago seems like the unlikeliest. It's the ultimate pointy-headed school, more so even than the Ivies and Stanford. They will hire the pointest-headed person they can find, male, female, or genderqueer. As for phonecalls from senior colleagues deciding jobs: it happens for visiting/adjunct positions, where the resources to stage a search are often scanty, but my experience with the tenure-tracks is that getting a barone on the line will harm your case rather than help it.
 * In years that I follow this wiki, the previous poster is one of the few people who actually ever game me the impression they know how the hiring procedure works. If your application is rejected, I'm sorry but someone else was a better candidate. If blaming race and/or gender makes your frustration more bearable, go ahead, you're welcome. As far as I'm concerned, I have no advantage from hiring an incompetent candidate so I can adjust some statistics on diversity among faculty members. I wish you success and good luck for this year's market.
 * With such a backlog, visiting or adjunct are often the only positions a recent graduate can obtain - especially if they don't know anyone. That was my case. I am ambivalent about what was said before. Truth is somewhere in btw, but it is certainly very depressing for the thousands of "pointest-headed" phds who never found a job.
 * All the above comments are rather interesting. As someone who was at UChicago for awhile, the last hire was an ABD at the time of hire. When he was hired, the graduate director at that time announced that when he/she would retire the faculty promised to replace that position with a woman because UC has had a long history of strong female professors. The reality: they will hire whoever they want! Apply! Don't let the associate title frighten you either. It's all a crap shoot and a lot of the time beyond a strong research record, they are looking for a fit. That is unprescribable.
 * I too spent time at Chicago, and I would say that in this specific case, there is a lot of momentum there for the hiring of a female Italianist. That doesn't exclude the possibility that a male professor will be hired, but it's simply untrue that in this case the odds are stacked evenly.
 * I too spent a lot of time at the UofC so we probably know each other pretty well. I agree with the above post: they might hire a male professor, but it's really really unlikely.

University of South Carolina (SC) - TT Asst. Professor, Renaissance Literary and Cultural Studies
The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/dllc/) at the University of South Carolina announces a tenure-track assistant professor position in Renaissance Literary and Cultural Studies. The successful candidate must be able to teach a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses in Comparative Literature, Italian language at all levels, and will be expected to have an active research agenda connecting the Italian Renaissance to other regions, especially France and/or Spain. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have secondary interests in art history and/or interdisciplinary studies. Teaching responsibilities include two courses per semester, and offer the opportunity to teach in the nationally-ranked Comparative Literature program. A Ph.D. is required, in hand by August 1, 2015. Evidence of teaching experience at the collegiate level is also required. Applicants should submit a letter of application, current CV, and three signed letters of recommendation to: https://apply.interfolio.com/25700 For full consideration by the search committee, complete applications should be received through the Interfolio website no later than October 15, 2014. The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Job Announcement (RSA)

UPDATES:
 * Also posted at Comparative 2015

University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) - Lectureship / Senior Lectureship in Italian
LECTURER / SENIOR LECTURER FOR ITALIAN STUDIES 

STARTING DATE: 02 January 2015

Italian Studies invites applications for a Lectureship / Senior Lectureship in Italian from suitably qualified candidates with experience in teaching language as well as literature at university level and is a keen researcher with an established publication record. An interest in Comparative European literatures or literary theory, Medieval and Renaissance literature, Gender, Postcolonial or Mediterranean studies would be an advantage.

Applicants should have native or near native competence in Italian, proficiency in spoken and written English, supervision and leadership skills.

Qualifications required: Ph.D in Italian Language or Literature

The successful applicant will be required to: lecture and tutor a wide-ranging curriculum across all years of study, teaching language, literature and culture; be an active researcher in areas related to teaching or personal field of interest and keen to participate in and promote interdisciplinary research; supervise postgraduate students; participate in the administration of the department and at School level and take part in the intellectual life of the School and University.

Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

To apply: Register your profile on the Wits i-recruitment platform located at https://irec.wits.ac.za and submit your application with a covering letter of motivation, your curriculum vitae, names and contact details of three referees in the profession.

Closing Date: 31 August 2014

Enquiries: Prof. Libby Meintjes ([mailto:libby.meintjes@wits.ac.za libby.meintjes@wits.ac.za]) and Mrs. Claudia Gianoglio ([mailto:claudia.gianoglio@wits.ac.za claudia.gianoglio@wits.ac.za] )

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UPDATES:


 * This one should appear with the TT jobs. Lecturer and Senior Lecturer are roughly equivalent to Assistant and Associate Professor in systems that follow the UK model. [moved 09/19/14]
 * Rejection email Oct. 2

Wesleyan University (CT) - TT Assistant Professor of Italian
Effective July 1, 2015. Assistant professor (tenure-track) in Italian. Primary focus: medieval/early modern Italian studies (literature, culture and the visual arts). Historical, interdisciplinary and intercultural breadth essential. The successful candidate will have a proven record of scholarship in medieval and/or early modern Italian Studies and be eager to teach a broad range of courses on Italian literature and cultural history prior to 1800.

We welcome applications particularly (but not exclusively) from scholars whose research focuses on one or a combination of the following fields: Dante and medieval cultural history; science, culture and society in early modern Italy; early modern Italian cultural studies focusing on Mediterranean and transnational Italy. Candidates must be prepared to teach Italian language at all levels and a wide array of courses on Italian literature and cultural history prior to 1800. They will also be expected to participate fully in the rich interdepartmental culture of Wesleyan University and to strive to integrate the field across the disciplines, on and off campus. Requirements: PhD in hand or very near completion; native or near-native fluency in Italian; demonstrated commitment to scholarship and evidence of excellence in undergraduate teaching. Typical teaching load: two seminars (1 in Italian, 1 in English) and two language courses per year. Assistance in coordinating the multi-sectional language program. Administrative support for Wesleyan’s Program in Bologna and commitment to outreach vis-à-vis the local Italian American community.

Submit cover letter, CV, email addresses for 3 referees, a statement of teaching philosophy, and a 15-25 page writing sample in English or Italian, by midnight, September 30, to Chair, Italian Search Committee, by way of the following link, which will open August 1: http://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/4411. Semi-finalists will be interviewed by Skype in the second half of October and finalists will be brought to campus in November, with the aim of concluding the search before the end of the fall semester.

UPDATES:


 * Does anybody know anything about this search?
 * What do you want to know?
 * Didn't they hire somebody last year? Internal candidate?
 * They hired a language co-ordinator last year in an unrelated search. There is also a newly hired VAP teaching similar classes to this TT hire. There's no preordained candidate: they'll hire the best and most fitting person for the job.
 * Any news on Wesleyan yet? Have they started Skype interviews?
 * No answer for me yet. Anobody else?
 * They are interviewing today, Monday, and Tuesday. [posted 10/10/14]
 * Thanks! I guess I did not make the first cut then.

Colby College (ME) - Assistant Professor or Instructor in Italian (3 yr. renewable)
The Department of French and Italian is seeking an Assistant Professor or Instructor in Italian for a continuing three-year position, renewable for additional three-year terms, to begin September 1, 2015. PhD preferred, ABD considered. The successful candidate will be part of an energetic department committed to providing the best education possible to talented undergraduates. We are particularly interested in individuals with considerable experience in language instruction and teaching/research expertise in contemporary Italian culture, and especially literature and film. This is a non-tenured and non-tenurable 4/5th position, with a teaching load of four courses per year, at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Applications must include: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, one-page statements of teaching philosophy and research interests, a representative sample of current scholarship, e.g., reprints of recently published work or a sample of work in progress, and evidence of teaching effectiveness, e.g., complete sets of course evaluations for two different classes. Applications need to be submitted electronically in pdf format, by November 15, to [mailto:italianstudiessearch@colby.edu italianstudiessearch@colby.edu]. Address all inquiries to Arthur Greenspan, Chair of Italian Search Committee (adgreens@colby.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled.

UPDATES:

Harvard University - Director for the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti
Harvard University invites applications for the position of Director of the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti. The Center is located on the outskirts of Florence, Italy.

The Center is devoted to the advanced study of the Italian Renaissance in all its aspects: the history of art; political, economic, and social history; the history of science, philosophy, and religion; and the history of literature and music. It supports a community of post-doctoral scholars, and through lectures and seminars provides a unique intellectual community, bringing together academics from across the globe. With 175,000 volumes and more than 250,000 photographs and other visual materials, the Center’s library is a unique scholarly resource in its own right.

The Director will oversee all academic and administrative aspects of the Center, including supervision of approximately 50 staff members.

The University seeks candidates of outstanding scholarly achievements in a field of study covered by the Center and a demonstrated interest in looking at Italian culture in a global context. Demonstrated academic and administrative leadership ability is a requirement.

Individuals who wish to apply are encouraged to submit a current curriculum vitae (including e-mail-address) to provost@harvard.edu by July 30, 2014. Please refer to the Center’s Website at http://itatti.harvard.edu/ for more information on its activities.

UPDATES:

WORD ON THE STREET
Dico di sicuro un'ovvietà: nuovi assetti economici, equilibri geopolitici e orientamenti culturali hanno determinato una grave crisi delle umanità, con ricadute di portata tanto sociale quanto individuale. Scontato che le culture romanze dovessero pagare per prime perdendo in prestigio e attrattiva, soprattutto quando non sostenute - come accade nel caso dell'Italiana - da politiche di promozione dei rispettivi paesi d'origine. A questo, tuttavia, negli Stati Uniti va ad aggiungersi una preoccupante tendenza delle università alla chiusura e alla sclerosi culturale, evidente nell'insegnamento delle culture altre, mutiliato di quel vitale canale d'accesso che è il medio linguistico in cui le culture altre vivono e si esprimono: "Resistance will be futile". Ecco, quindi, che gran parte dei corsi di letteratura e cultura italiana è condotta in lingua inglese, richiedendo - quando pure è richiesta - una conoscenza  puramente passiva della lingua italiana finalizzata alla mera lettura del materiale bibliografico. Non credo che ciò risponda solamente all'intento di attrarre (brutto termine!) un maggior numero di studenti, quasi l'accademia sia non un luogo di formazione e maturazione del pensiero critico e della personalità, ma un supermercato. Se queste sono le strategie di rilancio delle discipline umanistiche, be', sono stentatelle.

Un sito come questo, senza dubbio utile alla diffusione gratuita delle cattedre disponibili di contro a quella a pagamento della gilda MLA, si è via via trasformato in un anonimo sfogatoio di frustrazioni e, a volte, risentimenti di giovani studiosi intenti a divinare le mire reali leggendo tra le righe dei bandi, denunciare politiche di selezione e assunzione del personale docente poco trasparenti e favoritismi d'ogni genere, esprimere la propria disperazione davanti a un futuro precario e incerto e alla perdita di valore di un alto titolo accademico. Frustrazioni e recriminazioni hanno spesso un fondamento, è vero, ma in un contesto di anonimato che lascia ognuno nella propria solitudine non possono che sortire un esito nullo, a parte quello di assomigliare i candidati a indigenti un tantino mentecatti che si gettino rabbiosamente sui miseri avanzi delle imbandigioni accademiche. E anche in questa involuzione dei propri allievi le università hanno le loro serie responsabilità, prima di tutto civili, che non possono lavare semplicemente allestendo dipartimenti di sostegno alla carriera professionale degli ex-studenti.

Di fronte alla crisi, le umanità hanno l'imperdonabile colpa d'essersi miserabilmente arroccate nella torre d'avorio per difendere il loro esiguo valore superstite, alla fine assecondando l'esistente e ignorando i picconatori che vanno minando le fondamenta della torre. Ormai, chi nella torre è dentro è dentro (anche se magari rischierà la fine del conte Ugolino e dei suoi figli); chi è fuori è fuori, e tanto peggio o - chissà -, stante così le cose, tanto meglio, se nel peggiore del casi potrà vivere d'accattonaggio anziché far finta di nulla per poi sbranare gli altri.

Buona fortuna a tutti. E su la testa, nonostante e a dispetto di tutto.

-Parole molto eloquenti, grazie per averle condivise.

-Parole penetranti ma sarebbe bello porsi un'altra questione. Ho notato anch'io che si prediligono i corsi in lingua inglese così come si prediligono gli insegnanti di madrelingua inglese, soprattutto qui in America; basta solo dare un'occhiata alla lista di docenti italianisti nei vari dipartimenti, la strada non è molto larga per i docenti di madrelingua italiana...Avete notato chi ha conseguito la maggioranza dei posti di ruolo (tenure track) negli ultimi anni? i docenti di madrelingua italiana sono sempre un'esiguissima minoranza; questa è una scelta chiaramente motivata da molti fattori (economici, politici, nazionalistici, etc.), ma io credo che un buon dipartimento debba almeno avere una rappresentanza di italiano a livello nativo (e da qualsiasi regione); gli studenti stessi lo richiedono, dato che ricercano quel livello di auteniticità dagli insegnanti  madrelingua (con tutto il rispetto per i non madrelingua) ma dovendo essere corretti bisogna anche dire che neanche gli italiani madrelingua possono allocarsi il diritto di auteniticità (non credo infatti che esista l'italiano vero...come diceva Toto Cutugno...la questione è in realta molto complessa, ma cerchiamo di rimanere imparziali almeno). In ogni modo la questione è che trovo che molti dipartimenti d'italiano siano poco aperti (o forse, chissà, anche intimiditi  dai madrelingua). Sicuramente qualcuno sarà pronto a smenitire tutto questo, e certo esistono le eccezioni, e sono d'accordo. Però, cerchiamo di essere almeno trasparenti su questo...siamo poi in America dopotutto, ed è giusto che questo accada....o forse non dovrebbe accadere? È questa una forma di pregiudizio? Che ne dite voi? Mi rivolgo sia ai docenti di madrelingua italiana che a quelli di madrelingua inglese. Che ne pensate? O il problema non si pone? Sto forse esagerando? Mi scuso in anticipo se questo post abbia offeso qualcuno. Non era assolutamente nelle mie intenzioni.

- stai esagerando. e non e' vero che ci siano pochi italiani nei dipartimenti di Italiano negli US o addirittura una "esiguissima minoranza." il problema, come sempre se parliamo di insegnamento, e' la qualita' dei docenti, siano essi madrelingua italiani o inglesi or whatever. ma in questa wiki si parla di jobs, o almeno mi pare.

-- Il punto non è l’italianità dell’italianista, ma la sua competenza sia linguistica sia scientifica in materia. Non conta affatto che l’italianista sia di nazionalità italiana o marziana. Non ho spulciato statistiche, quindi ignoro se attualmente gli italianisti italiani siano o meno una sparuta minoranza; mi pare soltanto che l’insegnamento in lingua italiana stia progressivamente venendo meno quale requisito tutto sommato fondamentale, in particolare in quelle aree culturali più lontane nel tempo quali la letteratura medievale e quella rinascimentale. A me francamente duole vedere (e l’ho visto!) insegnare Dante da chi a malapena parla e/o legge l’italiano standard contemporaneo, figuriamoci quello dantesco o ariostesco!

--- are you sure you wanna go this route? ... well, let's do it. Non credo che questo sia il luogo opportuno per parlare di cio', ma il tema in se' e' della massima importanza. Non me ne voglia nessuno - inclusi i miei carissimi amici americani - ma le cose vanno dette senza troppi fronzoli, anche perche' la sitazione e' grave. Io non ho statistiche alla mano, quello che ho visto negli ultimi anni e' una prevalenza di italiani - specialmente provenienti da certe universita' - nei posti TT. Il problema della conoscenza o meno della lingua (e vogliamo dire anche della storia della letteratura, della storia tout court, della cultura ecc.?) italiana ha a che fare con il passato di chi aspira a fare il professore di intalianistica. Cerchiamo di non eludere la questione centrale: chi cresce in Italia - nonostante il sistema educativo vada a pezzi e letteralmente anche gli edifici scolastici, mentre i praticelli dei campus fioriscono con rigore geometrico - pasteggia a terzine dantesche, pagine manzoniane ed epica antica in lingua originale molto prima di raggiungere il primo anno universitario - e scusatemi la metafora mangereccia ... sara' l'ora di cena! Come fa un non madrelingua con una storia scolastica tipicamente americana a recuperare tutto cio'? Lo chiedo candidamente, veramente senza dietrologie. Francamente, siamo sinceri, servirebbero come minimo mesi e mesi di studio - non ricerca, dico proprio studio - in Italia, una massiccia dose di corsi di lingua, letteratura, storia, filosofia e... tanta buona volonta' per recuperare il recuperabile. Il sistema educativo universitario dovrebbe evitare che i carissimi colleghi americani - che non me ne vogliano, parlo a difesa del loro stesso futuro di docenti in US! -  si ritrovino a insegnare Dante (Boccaccio, Ariosto, ecc.) in inglese perche' loro stessi non lo capiscono in lingua originale; per evitare che una lezione su Vico si trasformi in una giostra di opinioni di chi la spara piu' grossa, invece che una interpretazione del testo - per la filologia creativa c'e' il caffe' dopo la lezione. Prego tutti di scusare la mia franchezza, se mai cio' possa avere offeso qualcuno, non era mia intenzione, ma in questi anni ne ho viste veramente di cotte e di crude e di tutti i colori... prima di approdare qui non immaginavo cosa potesse diventare una lezione di letteratura italiana. Che i migliori, di qualsiasi nazionalita' siano, ci salvino. Vale.

- Quindi, secondo questa logica, i professori di letteratura americana (per dire) nelle universita' italiane, dovrebbero essere nati negli USA, giusto? suvvia... La questione, come gia' detto da altri, sta nella qualita' dei docenti, siano essi madrelingua o meno. Che poi ci siano cattivi docenti o che gli italiani possano avere un vantaggio ad insegnare la lingua e la letteratura d'Italia anche grazie alla loro educazione filologica, mi sembra talmente ovvio che non ci sarebbe neanche il bisogno di ripeterlo. Buon per loro (ed evviva la filologia!). Tuttavia, anche gli italiani talvolta arrivano con un bagaglio culturale che non sempre li aiuta ad aprire i loro (e quelli dei loro studenti) orizzonti, anzi. Dunque, di nuovo, la questione (se parliamo di assunzioni, visto che siamo su wiki jobs) dovrebbe vertere sulla qualita' dei candidati piuttosto che sulla loro nazionalita'. Punto.

-- non ho detto che solo i madrelingua e provenienti dall'Italia dovrebbero insegnare in US, ma piuttosto che per insegnare seriamente non si puo' scavallare il problema preparazione durante l'univ. e il dottorato. E ovviamente la logica va seguita senza facili simmetrie: il sistema universitario italiano e americanino non sono comparabili (nel bene e nel male) e i professori di letterature anglofone in Italia meriterebbero un discorso a parte, piuttosto che quello svolto sin qui rovesciato da capo a piedi - magari fosse cosi' semplice risolvere i problemi delle competenze piu' adatte ad ogni luogo. E' chiaro che stiamo parlando della qualita' dei docenti e della loro preparazione e sono d'accordo che questo non e' il posto adatto per la discussione iniziata qualche post fa, dunque si torni pure con gaudio - per chi lo ha - a discutere di jobs.

-- C'e' una spia dell'insostenibile alleggerimento dell'italianistica negli USA, ed e' la vaghezza di "cultura" nei bandi, nei quali ai candidati si richiedono competenze multiple con crescente marginalizzazione della letteratura: cinema, teoria e pratica della navigazione in eta' comunale, storia della fanteria, didattica della lingua italiana, ricezione del pensiero derridiano a Bovolone, biopolitica e produzione del Casolet, operistica e repertorio alpino, cronaca delle traversate a nuoto del Mediterraneo tra Tunisia e Sicilia con soli braccio destro e gamba sinistra, ecc. ecc. ecc. E si' che anche la filmologia e la storia del cinema imporrebbero una perizia altamente specialistica... Tra qualche tempo, tra le competenze richieste ai candidati, figurera' pure la preparazione del caffe' secondo la ricetta di Edoardo e la didattica per telepatia attraverso un apposito strumento (che il MIT non manchera' di mettere a punto) chiamato "culturasmatico" (culture diffuser), tutto in grafene e presumibilmente di forma sferica, da collocarsi al centro dell'aula, con docente e studenti seduti in circolo per terra tenendosi per mano.

- Tutto molto divertente, e anche molto vero. Con una aggiunta: non negli USA ma nel mondo. Della letteratura italiana - o se è per questo europea - non importa più un fico secco a nessuno. (Probabilmente della letteratura tout court). Ho visto le stesse cose raccontate nel post precedente in tutti i posti dove sono stato. Poi, se un margine di competenza rimane per coloro che si occupano di Dante o Boccaccio - ed è un margine minimo - lascio immaginare ciò che succede con la letteratura moderna e contemporanea. Stendiamo un velo pietoso sui cosiddetti "cultural studies", ormai l'ombra di ciò che furono; ormai semplice scusa per ignoranti allo sbaraglio. Ad maiora.

-- Vero, non e' solo un dato USA, tant'e' che fino a poco fa gli studenti messicani del Politecnico protestavano perche' d'autorita' il rettore - la rettrice! - voleva praticamente azzerare l'insegnamento delle humanidades. Per il momento hanno vinto, loro, e la rettrice e' stata congedata. Comunque, ogni mission statement universitario negli USA recita che scopo dell'universita' Beautiful Lies e' coltivare e promuovere e accrescere il critical thinking, la responsible citizenship, ecc. ecc. ecc. Forse pecco a pensare che siano balle? E belle grosse? "L'America e' il paese dove tutto e' possibile" (Sergio Staino). Ad minora?