Framingham State U - TT Criminology

[Post]

The Department of Sociology at Framingham State University invites applicants for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant professor beginning September 2015. As an established sociology department with a new and growing criminology major, we seek a sociologist who specializes in criminology, has a focus on social inequality, and specializes in one or more of the following areas: race, law and the legal system, and hyper-incarceration. The ability to teach quantitative research methods is a necessity. As a department we are highly collegial, active on campus, and engaged as teachers and scholars. The ideal candidate is a teacher-scholar who is a good departmental citizen and has demonstrated a commitment to public higher education and principles of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. We are particularly interested in candidates who bring global and comparative perspectives to our disciplines.

Located 20 miles west of Boston, the University is situated on an historic, 73 acre, traditional New England campus. Please apply via Interview Exchange by submitting a cover letter, CV, writing sample, and a teaching portfolio that includes courses taught, sample syllabi, and a summary of student evaluations. E-mail queries can be directed to Daisy Ball, Coordinator of the Criminology Program and Search Committee Chair: [e-mail]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; the search committee will begin reviewing applications October 10, 2014. Framingham State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Members of underrepresented groups and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.

ASA Job ID E018 -01

[lovebeantown]

I wonder what the teaching load is for this position? Looks like some fac are on 3-2, some on 3-3.

[union reps]

Framingham is a state university, and faculty members are employed under a collective bargaining contract. It spells out workloads, benefits, appointment and promotion guidelines, etc.

mscaunion.org/contract2012/Day_2012-2014.pdf

From page 185:

"At Framingham State University, six (6) courses of instruction shall be considered the normal faculty teaching workload in academic subject areas for the academic year"

I'm guessing that some faculty members get course releases for taking on various administrative tasks (such as chairing a department or program).

Tip: always look for a link to a "faculty handbook" or contract document in the school's website if you're seriously considering applying there, and especially if you get an interview. There's lots of info to be found there.

[slowit]

Yes, FSU faculty work under a collective bargaining agreement but 3/3 is the load. To get a 3/2 or 3/1 you need to take on a significantly extra amount of work: be chair of the dept, be chair of a program, demonstrate a stronger than average research agenda, or just take on any other extra service or research that's worth the time of 1 course. They value your time because of the CB / union agreement but rest assured, once hired, you're on a 3/3.

[just FSU]

Any ideas as to why Framingham has a 3/3 versus the flagship at Bridgewater?

[FromMass]

Jul 16, 2014 2:05:04 GMT -5 just FSU said:

Any ideas as to why Framingham has a 3/3 versus the flagship at Bridgewater?

I couldn't tell you exactly why but for starters, I don't think anyone really considers Bridgewater a "flagship." It's technically a year younger than FSU - difference is, the Bridgewater campus never moved but FSU's moved twice (I think, maybe 3?). Westfield State is the oldest state college by 1 or 2 years. I just think it has to do with the mission of each campus. Framingham faculty may be expected to do more research/scholarship than Bridgewater?

[Crime]

This would be incredibly ideal for me but I wonder if they take those with a Ph.D in criminology. Looks like they emphasize sociology a lot in the add. Plus "social justice", "social inequality", etc.

[Crimeny]

If you think you're a good fit, then apply!

[fullad]

The full ad is here: framingham.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp;jsessionid=8DCB00372296FD75DA04D38FACDE331B?JOBID=50914 and it looks like a Crim PhD is okay - but my vibe is that the department is looking for someone who studies crime from a critical-sociological perspective.

[Guest1900]

FSU is 3/3 because their courses are 4 credits each while other Universities under the state contract are 4/4 with 3 credit courses. Thus, the teaching credit hours per year are the same at all state U's in MA. Also, if you read the contract you will see that grad courses earn 4 credits and directed research, thesis and other types of teaching activities earn teaching credits.This can reduce the appearance of the teaching load. "flagship" is not necessarily a function of age of institution, but is sometimes measured by number of applications, acceptance rate, retention, graduation rates and a host of other criteria.

[question]

So, what does that mean then? If it is a 3/3 load with four credit courses, do faculty run longer classes? Do they spend 4 hours per week in session per course instead of three hours? Or does it function exactly the way a 3/3 with 3 credit courses functions?

[answer]

Sept 17, 2014 9:30:48 GMT -5 question said:

So, what does that mean then? If it is a 3/3 load with four credit courses, do faculty run longer classes? Do they spend 4 hours per week in session per course instead of three hours? Or does it function exactly the way a 3/3 with 3 credit courses functions?

Each class meets for roughly 3 hours and 40 minutes a week. For example, a two day TR class would meet for 1 hour and 50 minutes on Tuesday and 1 hour and 50 minutes on Thursday.

[gracias]

Thanks for your reply.