Film and Media Studies

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Please also note the other Communication categories on the wiki: Communication_studies and Mass Communication/PR/ADV/Journalism. If you have info on jobs in these categories, please post it! Please move all rumors, hearsay, and innuendo to the General Questions and Discussion section at the bottom of the page.

2008-2009 Film & Media Studies Jobs
Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 7 Deadline: November 5 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: October 1 Deadline: November 10 Deadline: December 1 Deadline: November 1 - Extended to December 5 Deadline: November 17 Deadline: December 12 Deadline: On-going Deadline: November 3, Search Canceled, as per MLA listing (11/7) Deadline: October 17 Deadline: January 15 Deadline: November 15 SUSPENDED Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 15 Deadline: September 15 Deadline: October 20 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: October 31 Rejection letter received 11/22 Deadline: November 20 Deadline: October 3 Deadline: October 15 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 15 Deadline: October 1 (for consideration at NCA), open until filled Deadline: October 31 Deadline: December 2 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: November 15 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: Ongoing-11/3 Deadline: November 22 Deadline: October 24 Deadline: Review begins October 20 Deadline: November 9 Deadline: November 14 Deadline: November 1 Deadline: October 20; received email 12/3 that position is filled, followed by an email later that day indicating that this is NOT TRUE - they are "still very much in the screening process" Deadline: December 5 Deadline: November 7 Deadline: November 3 Deadline: November 7 Deadline: December 1 Deadline: October 3 Deadline: October 15 Deadline: November 3 Deadline: October 15 Deadline: November 15 Deadline: January 12
 * Amherst College Open Position - Film and Media Studies
 * Arcadia University Asst. Prof of Communications- Media Studies
 * Babson College Asst. Prof of Critical Media Studies
 * Butler University Asst. Prof. of Comm.- Film/Critical Media
 * Carleton University Assistant Professor of Film Studies
 * Catholic University of America Assistant- Media Studies (Film/TV)
 * College of Charleston Asst. Prof. of English- Film Studies
 * College of St. Benedict & St. John's University Adjunct Prof of Crit. Media (1 yr/FT)
 * Colorado State University Assistant Prof. of Communications- Popular Culture
 * Concordia University (Quebec) Tenure-track faculty in Film Studies
 * Framingham State College Asst. Prof of Film Studies/Literature
 * Franklin Pierce University Asst. Prof of Mass Comm/Media Studies
 * George Mason University Assistant - Film and Media Studies
 * Harvard University Tenure-Track position in Film Studies
 * Hofstra University Tenure-Track position in Film Studies
 * Kenyon College Asst. Prof of Film
 * Lewis & Clark College Asst. Prof of Media Studies
 * McGill University Assistant - Cultural Studies
 * Messiah College Assistant - Film
 * Michigan Technological University Assistant - Media/Cultural Studies
 * Montclair State University Assistant - Cinema Studies
 * New York University Assistant/Mid-level Assistant Professor of Cinema Studies
 * Northern Arizona University
 * Northern Illinois University Assistant Professor of Film and Literature
 * Ohio University Assistant - Film
 * Ohio State University Assistant Professor in the History and Criticism of Film
 * Pomona College Assistant Professor of Film Studies
 * Rollins College Assistant Professor of Critical Media and Cultural Studies
 * Saint Mary's College Assistant Prof (TT), Media, Technologies & Culture
 * SUNY Brockport Assistant - Film Studies
 * Texas Christian University Asst. Prof of TV Studies
 * Texas State University, San Marcos Assistant - English and Film Studies
 * Texas Tech University Assistant - Film Studies
 * Towson University Assistant - New Media
 * Trinity College Assistant - Film Studies
 * Union College Assistant Prof. of English- Film Studies
 * University of California, San Diego (Assistant professor, theory and practice of media production)
 * University of California, Santa Barbara (literature and media technologies or cultures between 1800 and c. 1980)
 * University of Chicago Tenure-Track, Chinese-language Cinema
 * University of Houston-Downtown (2 positions) Assistant--Global Cinema, New Media, or post-Renaissance Drama
 * University of Massachusetts, Amherst
 * University of Massachusetts, Boston (2 positions)
 * University of Memphis Assistant/Associate- Media/etc
 * University of Minnesota, Moorhead Asst. Prof of Film Studies
 * University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2 positions)
 * University of North Carolina Wilmington Assistant Professor of Film Studies (2 positions: 1 in World Cinema, 1 in World or Avant-Garde)
 * University of North Texas Asst. - Feminist/Critical Communications/Media
 * University of North Texas Asst. - Film/TV
 * University of South Carolina Assistant - Popular Contemporary Media Studies/Film
 * University of Texas, Austin
 * University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
 * University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Assistant Professor in the History and Criticism of Film
 * Western New England College - CANCELLED Asst. Prof English/Writing/Reading with specialty in film possible
 * Yale University Assistant Professor, Media Studies (Department of the History of Art)

Canceled Searches

 * Colorado State University-Popular Culture Position
 * Hofstra U. Asst Prof. Film Studies - There is some debate over this, if you look below.
 * University of Colorado at Boulder Assistant, media law and policy
 * Coastal Carolina University Assistant, broadcast emphasis (search canceled until next year)
 * George Mason University Assistant - Film and Media Studies
 * Kenyon College Asst. Prof of Film
 * Western New England College Asst. Prof English/Writing/Reading with specialty in film possible
 * University of South Carolina - Open-rank - Popular Contemporary Media Studies: CANCELED/HARD COPY LETTERS BEING SENT OUT 24/11
 * SUNY Stony Brook- Letter rec'd saying it was canceled for fiscal reasons 11/1
 * U. of Virginia assistant professor job in Media Studies has been canceled b/c of budgetary issues. Received email on 11/5
 * UMass Amherst Just got a friendly email confirming that they canceled the search (11/21).
 * Pitzer College Assistant Professor of Media Studies - postponed
 * Fordham University Received an email on 12/11 stating "I am sorry to tell you that our search for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of TV/Film has been cancelled due to fiscal constraints.  Unfortunately, Fordham isn't immune from the economic troubles impacting most organizations and, especially, universities."
 * University of Minnesota - received official email that cultural studies search has been cancelled (1/2/09)
 * Whitman College calls to finalists on January 8 - search postponed (canceled) "after it was finished"
 * Indiana University at South Bend - email notification of cancellation 2/12 (budgetary issues)

Receipt of Materials
email 10/9, email 10/ 24 Letter of Rcpt of Materials, 10/30 Email confirmation of materials, 11/7 Email confirmation of CV, 11/3 E-mail response of materials, 10/29 email ack of materials 11/18 (x2) Email Response of Receipt of Materials 10/10 Email Response of Receipt 11/10 Letter indicating Receipt of Materials 10/27 Letter ack receipt of materials 11/22 (2) Letter indicating receipt of materials 11/10 (2)<> Asked for writing sample Email ack of materials 11/25, stated that due to delays in process, interviews will be in mid-January and on-campus visits in February (was not an invitation for either, just informative). e-mail confirmation of materials, 11/7 Letter indicating Receipt of Materials Late Sept. (2) Email indicating receipt of material, 11/11 Letter indicating Receipt of Materials Late Sept. Card Response of Receipt of Materials 10/25 Email Response of Receipt of Materials 10/27 Card Response of Receipt of Materials 11/07 Letter indicating receipt of materials, 10/7 E-mail indicating receipt of materials 10/2 E-mail indicating receipt of materials 10/22 E-mail indicating receipt of materials 11/17 Letter indicating receipt of materials, 10/31 Letter indicating receipt of materials, 10/30 Letter indicating receipt of material, 12-5 FORDHAM Letter acknowledging my application, with EEOC card 2/6
 * Amherst College
 * Arcadia University Asst. Prof of Communications- Media Studies
 * Babson College Assistant professor of Media Studies
 * Boston University Assistant professor of TV Studies
 * Colorado State University
 * Harvard University Tenure-track Position in Film Studies
 * Kenyon College Tenure-track Position in Film
 * Michigan Technological University Assistant - Media/Cultural Studies
 * Northern Illinois University
 * Pomona College
 * Rollins College
 * Union College
 * University of Michigan Open-Rank - Film and Media Studies
 * University of North Carolina Wilmington Asst. Professor of Film Studies
 * University of South Carolina Assistant - Media Studies
 * Texas State University, San Marcos Assistant - English and Film Studies
 * Trinity College
 * University of Massachusetts Boston Assistant - Film Studies
 * University of Wisconsin at Whitewater (Mass Comm)
 * University of New Haven(broadcasting/journalism)
 * Northwestern University
 * Indiana University Bloomington(Mass Comm)
 * '''Cal State Fullerton (Communications Law/Mass Comm)
 * '''Pace University
 * '''University of Maryland, Baltimore County
 * Yale University

Requests for Further Materials
E-mail request for further materials (11/19) E-mail request for further materials: October 8th (x9) E-mail request for dossier: 11/13 (x2) E-mail request for writing sample: mid-October -- Junior or Senior Search? E-mail request for dissertation, publications - 11/17 E-mail request for writing sample - 11/16 E-mail request for second writing sample - 11/17 E-mail request for two sample syllabi - 11/20 E-mail request for teaching materials and writing samples E-mail request for writing sample and video of teaching - 01/08
 * Babson College - Assistant Professor - Media Studies
 * Catholic University of America Assistant- Media Studies (Film/TV)
 * Texas Tech University Asst. Prof- English/Film
 * University of Michigan (Screen Arts and Cultures)
 * Harvard University (Visual and Environmental Studies Open Rank)
 * Amherst College (Film Studies)
 * University of California Santa Barbara (Media and Literature)
 * University of North Carolina, Wilmington (World Cinema)
 * Michigan Tech (Communication and Culture Studies)
 * Framingham State College (Film and Literature)

Phone Interviews
'''Columbia College '''(film/video studies) phone interview 11/25 Preliminary phone interviews under way, 12/5 How many people have been contacted? x Phone interviews held early December Phone interview held mid-January Phone interviews scheduled for 12/8 Phone interview held 11/24 Email request on 11/3 for preliminary phone interview to be held same week. Email request on 11/7 for preliminary phone interview to be held week of 11/10. Email request on 11/20 for phone interview to be held 12/9 or 12/10 Email request on 12/10 for phone interviews to be held 12/11, 12/15 and 12/16 About how many semi-finalists are there? Anyone else want to chime in on this? Has anyone received a rejection email yet? I've not received an interview nor rejection notice. Seems odd since they are in the midst of interviews, unless they're doing two rounds. Or perhaps the letters are being held up by end of the semester frenzy.Some universities have the (frustrating) policy of not sending rejections until an offer is accepted Phone interview scheduled for 12/18 Phone interview scheduled for 12/17 Phone interviews scheduled for week of 12/26 Phone interview conducted on Feb. 2. Interesting... do you mind if I ask if you have the experience they have advertised for the past two years? My best answer is... almost? It's only conjecture, but they seem open to candidates with numerous years of teaching--not necessarily all of which need be in an official assistant professorship, just at a roughly equivalent level/capacity. Phone interviews scheduled for week of 2/9 Phone interviews the last week of January. Phone interviews scheduled for week of 2/15 Where and when was this posted and what was the job ad like? Phone interviews scheduled for week of 2/15 ''Again, where and when was this posted and what was the job ad like? Just curious. I feel out of touch!! Thanks for any info. . .''
 * Boston University
 * Fordham University
 * Eastern Michigan University
 * Pace University
 * Lewis & Clark College
 * University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
 * University of North Carolina, Wilmington World Cinema position
 * Catholic University of America
 * Michigan Technological University
 * Minnesota Moorhead
 * Hood College
 * Keene State College
 * Indiana University of Pennsylvania
 * Rollins College
 * SUNY Oneonta
 * University of Wisconsin Superior

NCA Interviews
Email request for interview at NCA 11/1, scheduled 11/18 for 11/21.
 * Saint Mary's College Assistant Prof (TT) Media, Technologies & Culture

MLA Interviews
Email for interview 12/9, interviews 12/28
 * Texas Tech University

Call for request for interview 11/20, interviews 12/28 or 12/29
 * Texas State- San Marcos Asst. Prof (TT) Engl/Film

Called week of 11/17 to schedule MLA interview
 * SUNY Brockport Asst Prof (TT) Engl/Film

Interview Request, 12/1
 * University of Massachusetts, Boston

Emailed Interview Request 12/4
 * Trinity College

Interview Request 12/4
 * Montclair State University

Emailed Interview Request 12/4
 * Union College

Emailed Interview Request 12/5
 * Amherst College

Emailed Interview Request 12/3
 * Northern Illinois University

On-Campus Interviews
Campus visits scheduled for Feb / Mar On-Campus Interviews for 3 finalists week of Jan. 19 Phone call to schedule January campus visit  -- No phone interviews first? When did they call? Campus visits to take place in early February * Have interviews been scheduled? - Yes they have, for the first two weeks in February Campus visits scheduled for January Campus visits to occur in late January* Have interviews been scheduled? Not that I'm aware of; I haven't heard anything post-phone interview yet Campus interviews scheduled as of late January. Phone call to schedule 10/24, Interview scheduled for late Nov/early Dec. Campus visits scheduled for early February. Campus visits scheduled for January Campus visits scheduled for December & Early January. Campus visits scheduled for early/mid November. Campus visits in mid-February Campus visits scheduled for January Campus Visits scheduled for late January/early February ''Do you know if all of their visits are scheduled? When and how did you hear?'' Campus visits scheduled for late November, early December Campus visits scheduled for late January, early February Campus visits scheduled for November Campus visits scheduled for February Campus visits scheduled for December -- send letter of rejection (2/9) Campus visits scheduled for January Campus visit scheduled for early February
 * Boston University
 * Colorado State University
 * Concordia University (Montreal)
 * Columbia College Cultural Studies * which job was this? - It was Media Studies/Critical Studies of Science and Technology in their Cultural Studies Department
 * DePaul University Assistant Prof, TT, Media Studies
 * Lewis & Clark College
 * Messiah College
 * Montclair State University
 * Northwestern University (Screen Cultures)
 * Ohio State University
 * Ohio University
 * Rollins College
 * Texas Tech University
 * Union College
 * '''University of Wisconsin, Madison (media/cultural studies open rank)
 * '''University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (Digital Narrative)
 * Whitman College
 * University of North Carolina-Wilmington (World Cinema)
 * University of Michigan-Screen Arts & Cultures/Latino Studies
 * University of Michigan-Screen Arts & Cultures/Media Studies (junior position)
 * University of Massachusetts-Boston

Offers Made/Positions Filled
Film/Video/New Media job, Offer made and accepted, 1/26/09
 * Ohio State U 

Email stating that an offer has been accepted, 2/12/09
 * Union College

Rejections

 * Columbia College Chicago Film/Video job 01/15

Got nice rejection email 12/10 that they are pursuing next stages with "candidates whose particular interests and experiences match more closely" their "curricular needs." Good luck to others. / I got the same (x2). Email notification received 11/26 that I was "not successful" in my application for the position--funny way of putting it. Made it sting a little less. Rejection letter via email, indicating shortlist has been drawn up. 1/14 Has anyone been called for a campus visit? I haven't received a rejection email, but I haven't been called either. (3x) I've heard, unofficially, that the interviews have begun. Rejection email 1/19 (X2) Rejection letter by mail (12/15) x8 :< (guess we all wanted this one!) - word! --make that x9 Rejection letter email x2 Rejection letter in received by mail 12/19 Rejection letter received by mail 12/20 (x2) just emailed about the selection and told that a short list had already been formed for campus visits in January-February. 1/7 email indicating position has been filled. Rejection letter received by mail 1/14 Rejection letter received by mail, 1/30 x2 Someone's been offered/accepted the job; email 2/12
 * Amherst College
 * Catholic University
 * Massey University
 * McGill University
 * Northwestern University - Media, Technology, Society
 * Pomona College - email 12/18 x3
 * Texas Christian University- letter 12/19
 * University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Art History Dept - email 12/19 (x3) Are these rejections for those who did phone interviews or general rejections? I never did any interviews--I'm assuming the latter (x2) I had a prelim phone interview and received a rejection letter today (12/26 - Merry Christmas!) Email rejection, followed by rejection letter. (Week of 12/22) Received a letter stating the position has been filled. They were probably trying to move ahead of an anticipated hiring freeze.  I don't recall ever seeing campus visits posted.  Was it in-house? I just got a letter saying the funding had been pulled--first and only thing I heard from them.  Are you confusing this with U Minnesota, Minneapolis? For UW Milwaukee - campus visits were held in early December. Offer made and accepted in late December.
 * New York University
 * University of Texas - Radio, Television, Film
 * Catholic University of America
 * North Carolina-Wilmington
 * University of Memphis
 * Concordia
 * Indiana University at Bloomington
 * Union College


 * UC San Diego--Theory/Practice Media Production. Rejection letter (snail mail) received 2/12.
 * Framingham State College Rejection letter (postal mail) received week of 2/16.

General Discussion

 * What's the word on Saint Mary's? Haven't seen any new info on here about that position in a while and haven't heard anything myself.
 * Heard a rumor that they were going to start campus interviews, but haven't found any corroboration yet. Anyone confirm this?

Any news on Michigan Tech???

Any news on some of those other MLA job interviews Texas - San Marcos, NIU, or SUNY Brockport? It's getting kind of late ... (x2)!!

Sorry, I forgot to update as I gained info. Texas- San Marcos was supposed to have called on-campus interviews in the past week, of which I am not one, but they are not sure yet and might contact further down the list "in the coming several weeks. I got a SUNY Brockport rejection letter last week.  I had heard that NIU had on-campus interviews now-ish but would not decide until late-Feb/early Mar, but that is second-hand info.   A Brockport letter?  Interesting.  What did it say?

The Brockport letter, if I remember correctly because I get so many rejection letters these days, was fairly standard but vapid. "We were delighted to receive XXX applications...but yours was not one...."I do not believe they mentioned an accepted offer or anything like that, just that my candidacy was not continued.

Brockport is bringing in 3 candidates soon, at least that's what I heard secondhand.

What's up with Hofstra? I see the position listed and also given as cancelled? I think it was just cancelled in the last week or so Is there an official announcement of this somewhere? Where did you see it cancelled? I called the Dept. (Hofstra), and they told me the job's "frozen."

I called and it has not been frozen! ''I'm not surprised. Like a drunken colleague in the lobby of a conference hotel, this wiki is fascinating, but everything needs confirmation.'' Great metaphor: thanks for the belly laugh!I'd be wary of this job. This is the third year they've posted the job and possibly the third year they've cancelled it. The letter I received announcing the cancellation last year was generic, sparse and somewhat off center, almost as if they'd written the letter, printed it out and then xerox'ed a lot of copies. It makes me wonder if there aren't internal divisions and/or a lack of institutional support. ''Interesting news. Thanks for sharing.''

Anyone know what's up with Keene State? Its interesting that they've now reposted the same opening three times in the last few months for an "Advanced Assistant" professor. Apparently, they don't like what they've got so far. I've always assumed they weren't going to get anyone, because they are expecting PhDs far along their tenure-track to just jump ship and start over with them. Other thoughts? ''No clue. It is odd to ask for an 'advanced' assisant professor. After all, if your assisant prof job is solid, you will get a few ass. profs jumping ship if they dislike their current job without having to write 'advanced' (whatever the hell that means - will you get advancement in your tenure review?). And didn't they have a job posted last year? Something feels weird there. -- 'I interviewed for the position when they posted it last year. Everyone there is extremely nice and they have fairly good facilities, and I got the impression they were trying to persuade me to accept. However, they canceled the search after my visit. My guess is that they want someone more advanced to take over when the current chair retires -- they don't have any junior tenured faculty, I gather. They also apparently are struggling to get anyone other than recent PhDs and ABDs to apply. It's not a bad job, but applicants shouldn't expect to have much time for scholarship, and Keene should probably not expect to get any "advanced assistant" or associate professors.' Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing.''

Any news from Bard?

Does anyone know about what happened to that Digital Cinema position at Brooklyn College? I noticed nothing is posted about it anywhere anymore. The search is back on and they are doing phone interviews, at least that's what I heard.

Just seen that the tenure-track post at Harvard was advertised this year - anybody know where? Did I just miss it or was it not advertised widely?? Any links to archived sites on details of the post?

It was a joint English/Film position that was canceled early in the process (before interviews) and postponed to this year.

Darn it, that means I missed the deadline - was keeping an eye out for it but must have just missed it coming up on the CHE. How long was it advertised for?

Just a correction: The Harvard position was not English/Film. It's in their Visual and Environmental Studies Dept.

Has anyone heard whether this line is affected by the hiring freeze?

It was one of very few that survived the hiring freeze. Interview requests should go out very soon (12/11)

So, what do we think? No one on the Wiki got an interview request? Or the search has not progressed any further as yet?

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Has anyone heard anything from Concordia yet?

just got a receipt of materials letter (on 12/1)

Anyone know anything else about this search? Any phone interviews being set up? Strange, I received a letter saying the evaluation process will be taken up "in earnest" only in early Jan. But they seemed to have already scheduled campus interviews.(12/23) I too just received a similar letter and find it strange if they have scheduled campus interviews. (12/24) Same here. (Week of 12/22)

I also just got this letter today (12/27) -- very odd. It implies that they're busy longlisting and will make decisions about interviews in January. Does anyone know what's going on?

Re: Concordia. According to the wiki, someone got a campus interview (without a phone interview). Someone else got a rejection letter three weeks ago. The only thing I got was one of the letters (above). What on earth is up here? Are there fake wiki-posts, or is this search the most chaotic in history?

Anybody receive receipt confirmations from Ohio U, Ohio St. U, or U Wisconsin Milwaukee yet? It looks like Ohio U already has scheduled interviews? No, but UWM and OSU were planning to phone candidates by the end of Oct./First week in Nov.

Has anyone heard anything about the Ohio State job?

did phone interview for feminist visual culture job, but have heard nothing else. just read on women studies job wiki they scheduled campus interviews for dec & jan

Is this discussion about the OSU Film/Video/New Media job? they have begun contacting several candidates. Candidates contacted in mid-October, Campus interviews scheduled for early Dec.

OSU Film/Video/New Media job: Offer made and accepted, 1/26/09

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Any news on U of Michigan's media positions? I received an acknowledgment, but have heard no more. They've delayed the junior search till later, so I'm told (though still this academic year) Is that the screen cultures job? Junior search plans to bring in 3 finalists in January. Candidates being contacted, 12/5 '''Interesting. Thanks for the update. Was there an initial round of phone interviews?''' Is there a worry that as the economy worsens, the university might pull its support for this job search? Esp. since the state of Michigan is hurting so much with the auto companies? ''Good question, especially when they are already planning to hire one (senior) scholar. The second might be too much of a luxury.'' UMich is well-funded. They also have a lot of media hires going on, between them and Comm Studies. I think the delay was simply an issue of them not having enough time to do all at once (though that's a guess, not insider wisdom). No phone interviews that I heard of, though maybe they did them with more junior faculty?See above: interviews scheduled

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Has anyone heard anything about the SUNY Stony Brook job? Letter rec'd saying it was canceled for fiscal reasons 11/1

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Any news on Fordham? All the job postings have disappeared.
 * Finalists have now been selected, with further materials requested, and phone interviews conducted or to be conducted
 * That's odd considering that the final deadline for applications was December 1!
 * There's nothing untoward about it. Deadline passed. All applications received before Dec 2 were considered as they came in. Committee met shortly thereafter. If you applied, your materials were considered. It was important to move fast, so the committee did
 * wow. kind of stand-off-ish.  I hope you do not represent Fordham, but this sounds like an inside leak.
 * Sorry if it came across that way. Just trying to be concise. I have a good friend in the committee, but am not at Fordham and don't speak for them
 * No worries.
 * It seems funny that they've already selected finalists without seeing a writing sample or letters of rec.
 * it does look like they have an inside or pre-selected candidate in mind. the job was posted in only a few places and then taken down as soon as the deadline passed, with 'finalists' already selected.  And the 'good friend' doth protest too much.  Not sure that its unethical to do that, but its disappointing they make the rest of us waste our time.
 * 'It annoys me that this "person" who has a "good friend" at Fordham is being so disingenuous about the job search committee. Let's face it and call a spade a spade. They probably have one or two people on the inside track and the posted job search was a formality!'
 * I think that's what I just said, albeit not quite so antagonistically. Yes, I think it's not cool to do that, but only because it wastes other people's time applying.  Fordham can do what they want ultimately.
 * Since we have a bit of a "situation" here, I was alerted. I'm at Fordham, and will gladly explain. Here's the process: we've been checking applications as they came in, which has been easy since they were put on Blackboard due to the online submission (and about 80% came in before the last few days). Our department's policy is to narrow the field to 5 candidates, of whom 2 get on campus interviews (we wish it was more, but that's the instructions from above). The cut-off date was December 1, and our secretary worked tireless, long hours to upload, and in several cases scan in, all applications received before the end of that day. The committee then met on Dec3 to discuss all candidates and come up with a shortlist of 5. Those 5 are now being interviewed by phone and asked for further writing materials and references. I realize that it's rare for committees to work quickly, but with a late app. date, we've had time for the many apps. that came in before that date to simmer. While much griping rightfully occurs due to committee sloth, don't get angry at us just because we wanted to move along and not waste people's time. Yes, I leaked the info to a friend to post, so that people knew where they stood. But the five finalists are bona fide finalists, and there is no predetermined "winner" here. We are enthusiastic about all 5, the committee is in no agreement over ranking, and we did not have our minds made up before the search; moreover, some finalists were gleaned from the last days' applications. As for the issue of the posting being "taken down," the uni admin. didn't pay the Chronicle for it to stay up long enough, and so one of our committee members reposted it at the Cultural Studies mailing list. I'm sorry if the combination of our speed and the cheapness of the admin. made this look like a stitch-up, but I want to reiterate that it's a genuine search, especially since I'm aware that all 5 finalists may be reading this site, and all 5 should know that they're in serious contention.
 * 'don't get angry at us just because we wanted to move along and not waste people's time'--to a degree, applicants have a right to be upset. The frustration comes from the perception that Fordham didn't look very closely at apps in the rush to 'not waste people's time', and now the perception that applicants have no right to be frustrated by what appears to be an iffy process.  While its true enough that people might look at them as they arrive, that suggests a very sloppy, unfocused, selection process, at best.  There's a reason some committees take their time to do it right.  But like the other person said, the university is welcome to do what it wants.  We'll see who they hire.
 * Yes, judge Fordham by who we chose. Granted, many excellent candidates weren't shortlisted (because it's a tough year out there, and because we have specific gaps to fill), and say what you will about Fordham, but all 5 finalists are exemplary scholars and teachers
 * Just for our own edification, what does somewhere like Fordham consider to be "exemplary scholars and teachers"? I always knew that I had not a shot realistically but remain curious. I was not mad, upset, or slighted in the least in my post of this comment.  Fordham is a VERY reputable school in the NYC area, and that makes its criteria high, and rightly so. I am genuinely curious about the criteria used by committees like this one and how much it takes to be competitive for a job like this.  I was told once by a peer, "If you have to ask, then you won't get the job," but I bristle at that cynicism. I am full aware that the pedigree of my PhD, publications, and teaching would not really fit at Fordham but still wonder. I'd like to help, but not if public flaming follows. Email fordhamsearchquestion@yahoo.com (and feel free to use a pseudonymous email yourself) and I'd be happy to answer
 * Respectfully, more anonymity is not the solution here. I would just suggest to anyone seeking answers about the committee's thought process to email or call the Fordham committee directly.  That's what I did with one of the other job searches and received a thoughtful explanation about the committee's ultimate criteria.  All of this anonymous nonsense is making the situation worse, and is what in no small part caused these problems to begin with. Respectfully, too, I'm not proposing to explain this search; I take the Q as a more general one about where the bar is set.If you don't trust the answer or source, or if you doubt the intention, then don't email. relax.  its not about trusting an anonymous source.  my point was that it would just be healthier all around for people to contact the committee directly (as is the usual etiquette), politely introduce themselves, and ask what the status of job search was.  And after the committee politely responds, follow up with a question about the general criteria the committee ultimately decided upon in going the direction they did. ok. sorry. good point. though be warned that some committees aren't allowed by univ. policy to say anything till an offer is accepted


 * I did not mean to cause this much trouble.  The Q WAS just a general request for specific information about the criteria used.   The past three years on the job market have taught me that calling/e-mailing at the end of term does not make them likely to take the time to explain such things, whether they are allowed or not, because of an immediate defensive posture that often is raise, understandably.  I regularly receive the most polite but vague answers, "Not a good fit...," "Looking for more research prospects generally," "The finalists all show a higher level of teaching excellence," etc.  To save us the effort of sending out many purposeless apps and save the committee from sorting through them, why not be more specific and direct? (Not to leave out the value of enabling those in the field to make more clear research and teaching goals to achieve their personal ends.)  "Candidates that have less than three peer-reviewed national articles, upper-level undergrad or grad teaching experience in the desired field, and 1 reference of a national reputation need not apply" because that is the conversation that goes on in the committee meetings that I've been in, but I will just e-mail to ask.  Thanks for volunteering to talk and share.
 * I don't think you caused any trouble. It was fair question.  I think--understandably--committees do tend to be defensive and--equally understandable--applicants tend to feel frustrated and blown off.  Not a good mix for anonymous discourse.  As to your original question, it might be tricky to get specific criteria for a job opening before you apply because committees might not know what they ultimately want (in specific terms) until after they've had a chance to review all the applicants and gotten a sense of what they've got to choose from.  I got a very polite email from one committee indicating that the only went with people with a background in a certain secondary field.  That was not something in the description originally, but I assume they didn't post that upfront because they didn't want to limit their search too much before it started, and risk not getting enough qualified candidates.  It is a catch-22.

I also agree that the above discussion is worth keeping for future reference on the job application process.Italic text
 * That's not intended as a slight on those not selected. There are many outstanding scholars on the market this year, and schools in New York always get an embarrassment of riches in the applicant pool
 * As an applicant to Fordham who was not selected, I appreciate the time and effort that the Fordham search committee member took to explain this to us. I initially wanted to counter the unfair remarks of a particularly frustrated candidate on this, but I see those remarks have been deleted. Either way, I think more transparency and communication like Fordham's here would really help reduce some of the awfulness of the job search. We're all anxious as hell, I know, and all but one of us will be disappointed with Fordham's ultimate decision, but I just wanted to say thank you for dispelling rumors and sharing information about your process. It does help.
 * There were at least three different 'particularly frustrated' candidates, as the leak was not handled well. The deletions were a favor to all involved.  I do think the tone on both sides was lacking here, and the transparency, while greatly appreciated, was slow to come.
 * I did not apply to the Fordham job b/c they seemed to be very focused in their search on someone who does specifically film/TV. i do new media more broadly.  They were explicit in casting the job that way.  As someone said above, NYC area schools get a ton of apps, and Fordham has a very strong dept.  I'm not sure why anyone would think there's smoke here... maybe because the leaker and the rep were a little overly defensive when a perfectly valid point was raised about the time line.  I'm not implying anything untoward, but lets keep some perspective on how things played out here.
 * Have the hiring freezes recently announced at Fordham affected this job search?
 * Sadly, yes. Can we delete all/some of the above now? Seems strange to have half the wiki devoted to a dead search. But I don't want to look like I'm purging history, so will leave it to another to decide
 * I think the conversation above was an important one for all involved. I am in favor of retaining it for future reference on a range of aspects regarding the job search (in general, and not as a reflection on any particular school or search).  But I have to ask, in retrospect, if an impending hiring freeze was perhaps part of the reason Fordham did try to move so quickly?  I know this is happening with WI schools, among others. We didn't expect this, nor were we warned of it. We tried to move quickly simply because we felt we had one of the latest application dates, and thought other schools would beat us. Guess they will now, huh?

I agree as well that the discussion should be kept for future reference. Seeing as how the job has been canceled for budgetary reasons, we should keep in mind that this wiki would benefit more from less raging over and personalizing what is already a very difficult process. The truth is none of us applying for jobs will ever know why we do not get that interview or do not get this job but what we do know (or should know) is that when you don't get the job, it isn't about you. When you do get it, it is.

I vote to get rid of the discussion thread. It really isn't all that helpful.

''It looks to me like it's not hurting anyone. I say it stays. I say it's valuable to prospective employer and employee about how things play out, for better and for worse. Plus it's something for others to learn from, and not be swept under the rug. THAT would not be helpful.''

---

U. of Virginia assistant professor job in Media Studies has been canceled b/c of budgetary issues. Received email on 11/5

---

George Mason also canceled, as per MLA listing (11/7)

---

Can't find any mention of that UMASS Amherst Job. Not even on their HR site or chronicle, so I am wondering if its a mistake or if anyone has any info, like what department, app due date, or where you found the listing.

No, it was not a mistake. I had the job linked at both Chronicle and their HR site, but they have been taken down in the last 3-4 weeks. I'm fairly certain that it was eliminated with the hiring freeze that they have going on.

Just got a friendly email confirming that they canceled the search (11/21).

Secondhand (and thirdhand) I've heard that Amherst College has canceled their job searches this year. Does anyone know if this includes the film studies position?

---

Have anyone heard things from some of the earlier jobs beyond EEO/AA cards or receipt of materials? Say from: CUA, University of South Carolina, Whitman College, or University of Iowa? -- CUA requested addt'l materials, but haven't heard since then (early Oct.) (3) -- Whitman is interviewing -- U of South Carolina has canceled the search for budget reasons. received a letter explaining 11/25

Has anyone heard from The Catholic University of America? I received a request for additional materials on October 8th and haven't heard anything since then. Thank you!

-I called today, and the chair has been out for a few days. The administrative assistant knew that they had met a couple times about it but said to call back Monday or e-mail the chair.

-They plan to hold internet video interviews with semi-finalist in December and finalists to campus late-Jan to early Feb. "Have they already chosen the semi-finalists???"

-The impression that I got from the e-mail was that they were very close and would begin setting up times this week or next through e-mail or phone calls but had not finalized these things.

Has anyone heard about any more updates from Catholic, esp. since so many people received an email to send in additional materials back in early October? -I have not heard anything since early Oct. either. -Same here. Sent additional materials, still have not heard anything as of 12/5.

Re: University of Iowa - I believe all on-campus interviews for the Interpersonal position have taken place, while the Rhetoric on-campus interviews are underway. No final decisions as of yet.

---

Other Notes: Just did updates (bolds, spaces, moves, spelling). I don't love all the space I created by adding more ---; it makes the discussion harder to read quickly, I think. So please feel free to change any of my changes. But I do think the bold makes this discussion easier to scan. Finally, do we need to start a whole list of "canceled" searches? -With the terrible state of the economy and what it's doing to university endowments, it's probably a good idea to start a list of canceled searches.

-Is there any interest in making last year's info available? Any ideas on a nice tidy way to do this? I'll give it a try, if anyone else is interested. . . Last year was my first yr on the market and I keep forgetting what the schedule was like. But I checked this - most MLA interviews were scheduled around 12/15, more or less.

---

Kenyon College has canceled the job search too, 11/14.

Judging from the program's website, the University of South Carolina has canceled both its positions. 11/15

Pitzer College: anyone know what happened to their media studies/urban studies search? I saw it a month or so ago and now it seems to have disappeared without a trace. I'm guessing it was canceled, but I can't find any mention of it.

it was postponed until next year (email from dept on 12/2)

Given the SC money problems, I am taking for granted Charleston College is cancelled. Has anybody heard anything?

---

Any one hear anything at all from NYU yet? NYU has narrowed the finalists down and will have campus visits in mid december ''Is that for the Cinema Studies job or the Media, Culture, and Communication jobs? (Please say it's Cinema Studies!)'' It's for cinema studies ''Just to clarify: Has NYU actually sent out invitations for these campus visits? So they aren't doing phone interviews to get from a long to a shortlist? The cinema studies dept. is down to four semifinalists and their campus visits are set for mid december'' NYU Cinema Studies position--Did anyone else who was asked for additional materials back in November NOT receive a rejection email/letter, even though campus visits have already taken place? Hmmm - a very short deadline on the original ad, no phone interviews, already setting up visits...I smell inside candidate!

-MCC is still sorting through apps. Don't read anything into it if you haven't heard from them, they got pretty well flooded with good candidates. -MCC Rejection (12/19 email). 250 applicants for 2 TT jobs, "small number" on shortlist. -I didn't get the MCC rejection and haven't heard anything since the "application received" notification. Is this the case with anyone else? Has anyone been contacted who hasn't received the rejection email?
 * Same here.

---

SCMS acceptances and rejections are, apparently, more or less decided. They are currently (11/30) sending emails and updating proposal statuses.

Does anybody know when and how they've announced the various awards in past years? ''Through email. The student writing award almost always came in Jan. The others come between Dec. and Feb.''

Question: Does anyone have any idea about when the SCMS Dissertation Awards are announced? Do they contact everyone via e-mail? Letter? And do applicants generally get comments of some kind on their dissertations? I know that has been done in the past. Thanks!

On SCMS: has anyone heard yet about any of the 2009 awards? They should be on their way.

Really? The results of all of the various contests "are on their way"? Any idea of when? Sorry, just antsy! ''Maybe I did not word that well. I meant that since they typically spend the break reading submissions, and since I've always been notified some time in Jan. in the past regarding various awards, that they were probably on their way now. I wasn't suggesting I had inside info, just going on the consistency of past patterns. They typically liked to give people a heads-up at least a full month before the Conference, since they want winners to be there. But since Tokyo's not til late May this year, and I'm sure there's no expectation we would go all the way to Japan just for an award, maybe they will take their time with the selections. But, then again, the Conference program was put together this time at the same pace as past years.''

For the record, I would go "all the way to Japan" for an award. I would be honored to do so!!

''I am assuming you either live much closer to Japan than I, or are flush with funds in these economic times? I would be honored to win one of the awards as well, but I am not taking on over $1000 in additional debt just to say my thank yous in person. In either case, I am sure SCMS would not 'expect' someone to fly all the way there for the sole purpose of attending a brief ceremony, which was the person's point, not that some others wouldn't be inclined to do so.''

For the record, I wouldn't go all the way there just to pick up the award in person either, and I'm dying to win one!

So, no one has actually received a letter or an email regarding the outcome of the awards as of 1 Feb?

''I have not. They may be on their way, so to speak, or they may be delayed, given that the conference itself is two and a half months later than usual this year. But that's just a guess.''

I hear SCMS emails have been sent. (I have heard this as well). ''I was up for one of the awards, but have not received anything. Has anyone actually received such an email?''

''Odd, I haven't got it yet, though the original email did say they would announce the winners in early February. Maybe they don't notify people who didn't win? (The email also said that winners 'will be asked to attend the Tokyo conference to accept the award at the SCMS award ceremony.')''

They always say that. I doubt they will expect folks to go there, even though they will of course 'ask.' Also, that will certainly not be a condition for acceptance in either case.

Rejections were just mailed out on 2/9. 18 dissertations were submitted, 1 person won and 1 person received honorable mention. I was not either of those people. : ( BUT, it does say on the SCMS website that some if not all applicants get feedback on their manuscripts. The e-mail did not mention this. Is this something SCMS used to do but no longer does?  ---

University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire apparently has a short list that they will be contacting for phone interviews shortly. Could you please be more specific?

Sure, I called the department chair to ask about the progress of the search, and they said that the committee had been meeting the past couple days, and he thought that they had come out with a list for people to call to set up phone interviews some time in the next week or so. Since he is not on the committee itself and the department has a couple of searches going on, he was not able to be more specific. --Thanks!

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Has anyone heard anything at all about the Visual Media position in the University of Minnesota Comp Lit./Cultural Studies position? both searches cancelled, according to this wiki anyway--http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/Comparative_2009 - I heard, from a reliable but unofficial source, that the MN searches were canceled.

---

Any updates on Queens College, Media Historian position?? -Letter confirming that they've received my app, 12/11; They contacted my references asking for recommendation letters by January 23rd. ''Thank you. I was beginning to fear another canceled search! If I may ask a quick follow-up question: did you find this out from your recommenders, and if so, did you ask them or did they volunteer the information? I only ask because I am curious what the protocol is for something like that. Thanks again.''- One of my references volunteered the information. Anything further on this? I know they requested letters for me, but the deadline was over 2 weeks ago...any movement? ---

Has anyone heard from Columbia College in Chicago (Cinema OR Cultural Studies)? I have not even received a receipt of materials. ''weren't they trying to have someone lined up possibly as early as Sp09 semester (in the description)? I assumed for awhile they were well into the search by now, but that's just a guess. - Cultural Studies scheduled campus interview (11/25)''

Has anyone heard from McGill? ---
 * nothing at all; I'm wondering if they're going to create a shortlist before the holidays.

Has anyone heard from Rutgers about their searches? ''What Rutgers searches? Where and when were they posted and what were the job ads like?'' Jobs are posted at the School of Communication, Information & Library Sciences website. Unclear how many positions are available, very broadly-targeted jobs. Will add above. ''Thanks for sharing. '' ---

Anything on the Northwestern Media, Technology, and Society positions? Anyone gotten a phone or on-campus interview? How about the Screen Cultures job there at NU? See above: interviews scheduled for Screen Cultures Do you know if all candidates have been contacted? All I know is that one of them is happening very soon, but it happened quickly, so it's possible that others haven't been set up yet? Okay. Thank you.

--- Has anyone any news on Arcadia's position? ---

Anything on UC San Diego? I know they had a late deadline, I assume they won't start reviewing apps until next semester? The inside scoop is that they were serious about the Asian studies focus for the position and have selected four candidates, all either Asian or Asian American. Could we please avoid racist comments? Last time I checked, scholars are free study subjects unrelated to how they self-identify racially. Why is it racist to note that they selected candidates who are Asian or Asian American? Am I missing something? ''No, I'm with you. I always thought it was a very careless accusation based on shaky evidence at best.'' It would not have been racist to merely note the candidates' race (or ethnicity), though it would certainly have been irrelevant; but the initial post was racist because it carried an implication that BECAUSE the school was "serious about the Asian STUDIES focus" (my emphasis) they are looking at four candidates who are all Asian or Asian American. To think that a school serious about Asian studies must hire an Asian or an Asian American is fairly straight forwardly racist under any definition. ''I hate to beat this to death, but you're wrong here- poster didn't say that they "must hire an Asian or Asian American" but that they brought in 4 Asian or Asian American candidates, which *suggests* that they were serious about the Asian studies focus. Please don't throw around accusations of racism unless you've really thought them through.''-- But even to say that because they brought in Asian or Asian-American candidates *suggests* that they were serious about the Asian Studies focus IS racist. Please think through your own racist attitudes. '''The question is: what does a person's race have to do with their job? And even if maybe it does in some decision we aren't a part of, who are you to speculate on the correlation between race and candidate selection? for what reason? even more, who cares?, you aren't getting that job, move on.' You are, respectfully, way out of line with your own assumptions and careless accusations towards others here.'' You obviously have a different idea of "careless" as well as "racist"--it seems to me that everyone here is trying to carefully articulate their position. I'm just not sure how you think that assuming a school is serious about asian studies on the grounds that they have considered four Asians/Asian Americans for further interviews isn't racist. Do you think it reasonable to infer that a school interviewing four women is interested in developing a strength in feminist theory? ''One example of carelessness is assuming that I am the same person who was originally defending the poster, which I am not. Racism is a very serious charge to throw at people indiscriminately, which is what you are doing here. Personally, my own thoughts about the original post is that it seems that there's a nebulous line in what happened at UCSD between 'message' and 'messenger.' This is a complex, difficult line which you are blurring. UCSD said they wanted "Asian Studies." For whatever reason (good or bad), they decided to bring in candidates of Asian descent. Had I applied to this position (I didn't), this information would have been helpful in perhaps clarifying why I was passed over. What the original poster did was post this info to the wiki. '''The real question should be: nobody is saying its 'ok' to essentialize scholars. So, if you are truly upset about all of this, why don't you inquire into SD's decision (do we even know if this info is accurate?)--the choices they made and why they made them--rather than, yes, carelessly accuse others of racist comments, then accuse still more of being racist because they stood up to your virtual bullying?''' I take racism very seriously. That's why I felt compelled to intervene, and will leave it at that. 'I take underlying racist attitudes seriously, particularly when it seems that people are genuinely unaware of the consequences of their comments. It seems to me that nobody here *intended* to be racist--but that, as I hope everyone can agree, is not to say very much. I also hope that at least some people reading this exchange have taken the time to question their own use of language. That's all from me too.''' *** Totally new poster here: I read the initial post as an ironic take on the school's supposed racism. It is not unknown (or uncommon) for some schools to use searches such as this as a way to secure a (specific type of) minority candidate. Indeed, in my subjective experience, many departments, through who they hire and subsequent actions with those that are hired, end up making the correlation between one's ethnic/racial identification and scholarship area stronger. While I certainly cannot speak for this school in particular, if the information is correct, and four candidates of the same race were brought to campus, this suggests (but certainly doesn't prove), that race was an important factor for the school, one perhaps stronger than the stated subject area.

Has anyone heard anything from Pomona? Arcadia is cancelled

Is College of Charleston cancelled?

Has anyone heard anything about Carleton University, Bard College, Hood College or University of Paris (wishful thinking!) -Carleton on campus visits scheduled for january and february. - Hood College scheduled phone interviews.

Has anyone heard anything from or about the Assistant Professor, Media Studies position at Yale? -Got a letter acknowledging my application, 2/6, 2/13 -Did anyone else submit an application and NOT get an acknowledgment from Yale? I didn't either. (x2) But I never heard anything from several schools, such as McGill. Is this a widespread problem?

Job Search Advice/Venting
Does anyone actually expect to receive a job offer this year? -I'm hopeful that a decent number of people will get TT gigs and that the rest of us will also get good visiting lectureship positions.

-I don't expect anything except hiring freezes and suspended searches. Not to be negative, but state and university budgets will be slashed and burned this spring, and it is hard for Liberal Arts to make cases for new hires in such an environment. So a large number of the jobs already posted won't see the light of day. Keep sending out, because you never know ... but don't take for granted there will be budgets for even visiting positions for 09. In short, we're screwed.

''Keep heart. My (private) uni has money and like some others with money is realizing the potential to capitalize by hiring some really good people when those places who would normally be offering such candidates jobs are suffering due to state-required freezes. You'll likely need to be really good to get a decent job, in other words, but if you are, they're still available''

Does anyone have suggestions about good resources for finding visiting faculty positions? I've applied to a bunch of TT positions, but am losing hope for this year. I rarely see postings for visiting positions on the Chronicle site. Where and when are they posted? ''--I would check the SCMS website and the HR website of individual universities. You could also email the chair of departments. Good luck!'' ''--VAP positions and Post-Doctoral Fellowships, as well as more "teaching-intensive" faculty jobs, tend to post more in the early spring. I suspect there will be quite a few this year.'' If you're at a conference or bump into anyone between now and spring, after usual pleasantries, ask them about adjunct and temporary jobs in their depts. Dept heads are often inundated with interest, and don't know where to start, so something as simple as having shared a joke with a dept member at a conference might help move you to the top of the pile when looking for last-minute, temporary work

Don't lose heart and keep plugging away at every chance. I'm on the market myself right now, with nothing so far to show for it. But I'm staying positive. If you are ABD (like I am), you are in an especially tough spot. People with PhDs in hand will fare better overall--I emphasize, overall. I only say this because if you haven't gotten any responses, it might be because they automatically cut all ABDs without looking closely, and not because they find your file lacking in particular. Don't take it personally. The only thing to do in the meantime is apply to everywhere and everything. You never know for sure ultimately which criteria will bump people to the top. Sure, committees are likely to privilege those that are the best fit for the (sometimes schizophrenic!) job descriptions, as we all know. But especially in this climate, its important to explore every possibility. It would be worse to not try and essentially give up hope. Don't. I'm in this to the end and I'd like to think I'm not alone. -- Thank you for your post. Your positive energy is much appreciated.

I guess things are bad. . . but the above advice on ABDs is true. I have a few interviews lined-up soon, but last year at this time as an ABD, had none. In these economic times, few departments want to explain to administration why they are hiring non-PhDs. Also, they very much want people who seem like a surer bet for tenure, since a few years down the road, who is to say they can do another search when they might be stuck with somebody who hasn't published anything worthwhile. You have to have degree in hand and already look like a prof. How hard is it for an ABD to get a visiting professor position, esp. with the current economic crisis?

When is it okay to follow up with an application?

I had a nice preliminary interview with a school and afterward the head of the search told me she'd be in touch soon with "next steps." It's been over a month now without a word. I sent all members of the faculty involved in the search a nice thank you the week after the interview, but no responses (which wasn't particularly surprising given the conventions of interviewing). At this point I'd like to follow up with the head of the search, perhaps offer to send a writing sample or other supplemental materials that weren't initially part of the application, in hopes of eliciting some kind of response. Would doing this seem pushy? Unprofessional? The vacuum of silence most schools throw back at you during the whole interview process is frustrating. Advice would be appreciated.


 * That is difficult to answer directly because it depends so much on things that you cannot know. However, I have never been given a hard time for calling or e-mailing to ask the contact person about the progress of the search in general.   If you haven't heard anything after a preliminary interview (Is that a phone interview or a casual meet and greet at a conference?), then there are two basic options:  1) You are not in the running, or 2) They are moving very slow.  Off-hand, I would guess the former because it is more likely that the search would do something in a month.   Either way, calling and asking is acceptable.  I would not directly offer writing samples or materials because if they want them, they will ask.  Alternately, when I have called and asked chairs about the search, I have often found myself the recipient of a phone interview or such subsequently.


 * You can follow-up after a few weeks. Via email is fine.  That's what I've heard.  You can simply state, once again, your interest in the position and ask if there any updates on the search.   Yet, I've been told so many things about follow-up (from no thank-you notes to thank you notes are fine ...), some of the advice sort of cancels out another bit of advice.   But departments are sometimes slow and, if there is a winter break in between, response time might be VERY slow.  Remember, often the choice of whom to bring to campus sometimes doesn't only rest with the interviewers present.  So there is still more process behind the scenes.


 * I was on the market last year (successfully) and found that following up can be quite beneficial. With the exception of Hofstra, all of the institutions I spoke with were polite and forthcoming; I actually found out that I'd made the short list at one university and had received an offer from another because I had followed up. Don't harass anyone but if you get an interview (phone, at-conference or on-campus), send thank you e-mails reaffirming your interest and then, a few weeks later if you haven't heard anything, a short e-mail asking for an update. Committees know how nerve-wracking this process is and don't want to make matters worse.

At what point should somebody on the job search break down and cry?
 * If you're asking, then you probably already reached it. If I wasn't so damn focused on finishing my dissertation, I probably would have hit that point myself, but I've just been too busy to accept the fact that I will be unemployed after 6 damn years of graduate school.


 * Don't despair too much at this point. I had several interviews last year and wound up being offered the position at the last school to bring me in; they offered me the position in April. As others have noted above, visiting positions and postdoctoral fellowships don't get posted until late in the hiring cycle. If you're ABD, I'll be honest -- you probably won't get hired this year but even in previous years most jobs went to scholars with PhDs in hand. Next year should be much better for you, especially if you spend the year off teaching as an adjunct somewhere, getting an article or two published and, if you can afford it, attending conferences.


 * Thanks, that's good to hear. I am degree in hand currently on a nice (one year) postdoc and a couple of pubs, striking out this year.  Will take a visiting position, teaching postdoc, ect, but the prospect of having to cob together adjunct gigs is not as appealing...


 * I was ABD last year, defended in May, and didn't get a (pretty decent) Visiting position until JUNE. Another friend got a Visiting job even later in the summer.  So it is far from over.
 * If you go snooping around people's CVs online, you'll see that many of the really good established people in the field began in less than ideal positions, and worked their way up. While it sucks to get a visiting or a lecturer position to start, don't think of it as a permanent consignment to academic purgatory.