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Post by wantajob on Aug 3, 2011 10:53:58 GMT -5
I am wondering about people's read on Pepperdine in this context. I had always thought of it as just another so cal liberal arts college - in the same category as Pitzer or Pomona - but based on their job ad and the school's web site they seem VERY religious. The job ad even openly states that they reserve the right to hire and promote people who support the mission of the university, including the right "to prefer co-religionists."
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Post by pepperdont on Aug 3, 2011 13:36:45 GMT -5
Pepperdine is a very religious school. One of their law professors was front and center in the Prop 8 (ban gay marriage in CA) ads.
Basically, the pecking order of non-religious liberal arts schools in SoCal is Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Occidental, Pitzer, Whittier.
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Post by Allie on Aug 10, 2011 14:42:28 GMT -5
I have a question for you all, I just got an interview offer from Gordon College via ES. What is your take on Gordon, its seems to pretty fundamentalist to me, I am not sure its a good fit. Any thoughts?
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Post by you decide on Aug 10, 2011 15:16:18 GMT -5
I have a question for you all, I just got an interview offer from Gordon College via ES. What is your take on Gordon, its seems to pretty fundamentalist to me, I am not sure its a good fit. Any thoughts? You should take their self-descriptions seriously, and think about whether this is an environment in which you would feel welcome, comfortable, and happy. You won't be able to fake it. THE GORDON COLLEGE MISSIONwww.gordon.edu/page.cfm?iPageID=385&iCategoryID=31&About&Mission_StatementGordon College strives to graduate men and women distinguished by intellectual maturity and Christian character, committed to lives of service and prepared for leadership worldwide. To that end, Gordon College, a Christian community of the liberal arts and sciences, is dedicated to: - The historic, evangelical, biblical faith.
- Education, not indoctrination.
- Scholarship that is integrally Christian.
- ...
- The application of biblical principles to transform society and culture.
Assumptions & Principleswww.gordon.edu/page.cfm?iPageID=1817&iCategoryID=31&About&Assumptions_and_PrinciplesGordon College strives to maintain its identity as a Christian college community of students, faculty and staff. We expect that all members of the Gordon community: - Call themselves Christian by virtue of the grace of God and their commitment to Jesus Christ.
- Recognize the Bible as the Word of God, fully authoritative in matters of faith and conduct.
- ...
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Post by you decide on Aug 10, 2011 15:43:50 GMT -5
You should also read their Statement of Faith. According to their faculty handbook, "This declaration expresses the beliefs common to the administrative officials and the faculty." www.gordon.edu/sofIf this doesn't represent your views, I would suggest you don't apply.
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Post by socprez on Aug 10, 2011 15:47:55 GMT -5
For what it's worth, former Rice assistant professor of sociology Michael Lindsay was just named president of Gordon. www.gordon.edu/president
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Post by avoidthewhackadoos on Aug 26, 2011 10:38:19 GMT -5
And he built a career documenting the rise of the evangelical power elite. Now he's one of them.
Many "religious" schools are fine especially if they are Jesuit schools. You have to be careful and very selective. Think about your long term happiness and not just your short term employment.
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Post by onthemarket on Aug 26, 2011 10:52:29 GMT -5
Yes, you will have to sign a statement of faith for Gordon, but they say it is non-denominational (and "broadly orthodox").
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Post by unclekarl on Aug 26, 2011 22:08:10 GMT -5
A quick way to get some basic information on what a school is like is to look up the college on wikipedia and find out about their views. For example, Calvin College in MI is advertising now on ASA and, in looking them up, you find out some interesting information about their views on homosexuality [one cannot teach or study it].
Generally, if a Liberty, BYU, or Wheaten fit your worldviews and beliefs, then you have a very good shot at a job. However, if you find yourself disagreeing with their beliefs and values, consider applying very carefully. [For obvious reasons, Uncle Karl is probably applying only to *state* schools....]
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Post by NewProf on Aug 26, 2011 23:18:17 GMT -5
I adjuncted at a Jesuit school through my whole PhD program, and there was never ANY interference with my teaching based on religion--and I hit on lots of touchy subjects (a lot of my research concerns pregnancy and childbirth, so abortion, reproductive technology, contraception, surrogacy, gay parents, etc). No one asked if I was religious, or about my sexuality, or monitored my speech or conduct. However, there was a big controversy at Marquette over hiring Jodi O'Brien, and they withdrew their offer. It was widely felt that this was because of the school's religious orientation. Here's one story about it: www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/07/marquette-jodi-obrien_n_567399.htmlI guess what I am saying is that there is potential for a school's religious orientation to emerge in problematic ways at any time. However, I don't think that would keep from applying as long as I wasn't required to sign a faith statement or live according to a BYU-style code of conduct. Any job can have horrid politics emerge.
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Post by me on Aug 27, 2011 9:11:20 GMT -5
If you can find the faculty handbook online, you can figure out the specifics for a given institution. For example, if you look at Calvin College they are very clear about membership with a Reformed congregation. But by looking at their handbook you learn:
"Calvin College faculty members are normally required to provide their children with Christian schooling.
The requirement is applicable to grades K through 12. Christian schools that are members of Christian Schools International are expected to be the primary schools of choice for faculty. However, home schooling and sending children to other schools that base their education on the Christian faith could also fulfill the requirement when approved on an individual basis."
These are the types of things can help you make decisions about how your beliefs align with an institution. Also, I find that religious schools are very open to talking about their expectations for faculty and religion. Don't be afraid to contact a school if you are on the fence about a school.
**I am not picking on Calvin College at all. I just use it as an example since their job posting was listed this week and thus I was looking at their website this week.
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Post by me on Nov 3, 2011 11:20:29 GMT -5
Is anyone familiar with St. Bonaventure University in this context? I am not Catholic or particularly religious but the job is a good fit otherwise. Anyone have any thoughts?
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Post by confused on Nov 3, 2011 11:40:29 GMT -5
Where is the ad for this position you refer to?
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Post by Anon on Nov 7, 2011 19:53:18 GMT -5
This one I'm guessing, just went up on the list of jobs. The St. Bonaventure University School of Arts & Sciences seeks to fill multiple full-time, tenure-track positions. A Catholic University dedicated to educational excellence in the Franciscan tradition, St. Bonaventure is located in the beautiful Allegheny foothills of Western New York. All appointments will begin in the fall of 2012, subject to budget approval. Assistant Professor-Sociology A sociologist with an academic background focused on social media is sought. The successful candidate will be expected to develop new courses in this area. Additional required teaching responsibilities will include contributions to the University's core curriculum, introductory level sociology courses, and the quantitative methods course. Student advisement, research activity, and university service will also be required. Applicants must have (or be within a year of completion of) a Ph.D. in sociology, and provide evidence of successful teaching and scholarly expertise. Inquiries regarding the position or the department of sociology may be directed to search chair, Dr. Kathy Zawicki (kzawicki@sbu.edu) Teaching load for all positions is four courses per semester. Appreciation of and respect for the University's Catholic, Franciscan mission is expected. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. The applicant's curriculum vita, letter of application, three reference letters, and a statement of teaching philosophy and scholarly interest are to be sent to: Dr. Wolfgang Natter; Dean, School of Arts & Sciences; St. Bonaventure University; St. Bonaventure, NY 14778. Electronic application materials may be sent to Sharon Godfrey at sgodfrey@sbu.edu. St. Bonaventure University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body, and strongly encourages applications from the entire spectrum of a diverse community. Read more: socjobs.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=positions&action=display&thread=715#ixzz1d4RGu6Uv
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