Writing, Literature & Publishing

Teaching

1. For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor: We expect evidence of excellence in teaching at all levels. We recognize that such evidence need not be restricted to peer and student evaluations (both written and numerical based on an average of all items in the numerical evaluations) and feedback from advisees, mentees, and former students, but should also include course syllabi and other course materials, or when applicable, participation in pedagogically-oriented seminars and workshops, and the creation of new courses.
2. For promotion to Full Professor: We expect that the candidate will have demonstrated excellence in teaching in all of the areas listed above over the three years prior to the application for promotion. Another demonstration of evidence of excellence is the range of courses taught during the entire longevity of the candidate’s teaching career, whether at Emerson College or another institution.

Scholarship and Creative/Professional Work

In defining general expectations, we believe that demonstrated achievement in scholarship, professional, and/or creative work is necessary to enhance excellent teaching in our fields. In its deliberations, the committee will consider only work produced while teaching at the College, and in the discipline for which the candidate was hired. For promotion to Professor, all work produced by the candidate during his or her academic/professional career should be considered, with emphasis on the significance and impact of the work completed since earning tenure. (See section 10.1.2 of the Faculty Handbook for exceptions.)

A significant portion of the faculty member’s scholarly or creative work should have already been published or contracted with a completed manuscript at the time of application for tenure or promotion, as stipulated below under the Literature section. In judging the quality of our colleagues’ research, professional, and creative work, we will take into account not only our own individual and collective assessments, but also the outside evaluators’ reports and, when relevant, any honors or awards received, as well as reviews of publications in venues of reputable authority, or other professional recognition, such as citations of published work and course adoption.

Given the time required for writing, revising, and submitting a book manuscript, and the often considerable time involved in the processes of editorial review and revision before a manuscript is accepted and a contract issued, we encourage faculty to be continuously engaged in the writing/publishing process, in order to build a history of significant publications at the time of the tenure application.

We encourage all candidates to be mindful of maintaining a balance in their professional development, including all areas of teaching, service, and research, publishing, and creative work.

In the Discipline of Literature

For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor:

• a book published or a completed manuscript with a contract-in-hand from a university or other reputable press, OR
• 6 substantial articles in refereed journals (with which the faculty member doesn’t serve in an active editorial capacity, other than as an occasional reader of “blind” submissions or as an editorial board member). The candidate may also present evidence of productivity by combining several substantial articles in nationally recognized journals with several essays published in books/anthologies edited by prominent members in one’s field. The acceptance rate of the refereed journals (as available through the MLA Directory of Periodicals) must be provided. (See Appendix 1: from The Modern Language Association, 2002)

For promotion to Full Professor:

• Demonstrated achievement as stated in this section, including book publication with national recognition. If six articles were presented for tenure, publication of a single-author book at a nationally recognized press. If a book was presented for tenure, a second single-author book at a nationally recognized press.
• In addition, a combination of substantial pieces in different genres and media may supplement the candidate’s portfolio.

In the Discipline of Creative Writing

For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor:

• a book published or a completed manuscript with a contract-in-hand from a university or other reputable press.

For promotion to Full Professor:

• Demonstrated achievement as stated in this section, including additional book publication, with national recognition.
• In addition, a combination of substantial pieces in different genres and media may supplement the candidate’s portfolio.

In the Discipline of Publishing

For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor:

• a book published or a completed manuscript with a contract-in-hand from a university or other reputable press. The book may be comprised of reviews and/or articles previously published in journals, magazines, or newspapers of national repute; OR
• 6 substantial articles or essays, appearing in publications with a national reputation.

For promotion to Full Professor:

• Demonstrated achievement as stated in this section, including book publication with national recognition. If six articles were presented for tenure, publication of a single-author book at a nationally recognized press. If a book was presented for tenure, a second single-author book at a nationally recognized press.
• In addition, a combination of substantial pieces in different genres and media may supplement the candidate’s portfolio.

In the Discipline of Composition and Writing Studies

For tenure and promotion to Associate Professor:

• a book published or a completed manuscript with a contract-in-hand from a university or other reputable press, OR
• 6 substantial articles in refereed journals (with which the faculty member doesn’t serve in an active editorial capacity, other than as an occasional reader of “blind” submissions or as an editorial board member). The candidate may also present evidence of productivity by combining several substantial articles in nationally recognized journals with several essays published in books/anthologies edited by people recognized in the field. Textbooks and other types of professional books, including co-written books and edited collections, will also be counted as evidence of accomplishment that can be evaluated in terms of their significance to the field of composition and writing studies. The acceptance rate of the refereed journals (as available through the MLA Directory of Periodicals) must be provided. (See Appendix 1: from The Modern Language Association, 2002)

For promotion to Full Professor:

• Demonstrated achievement as stated in this section, including book publication with national recognition, with national recognition for scholarly and professional work. 
• In addition, a combination of substantial pieces in different genres and media may supplement the candidate’s portfolio.

Service

For Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor

Recognizing the obligation of tenured faculty to take major responsibility for faculty governance, we believe untenured colleagues should not be overburdened with departmental service. Beginning in the second year, we expect all faculty to provide service to the department, through service on department committees, and to the college.

For Promotion to Full Professor

The candidate should have demonstrated leadership capabilities in the department and/or on college-wide committees. This may also include accomplishing significant professional work as well as assuming leadership positions in professional organizations.

References

• Appendix 1: 28 May 2002 letter, by Stephen Greenblatt, President of the Modern Language Association of America (2 pp).
• MLA Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Scholarly Publishing, "The Future of Scholarly Publishing," Profession 2002: 172-186.
• Executive Summary of the Report of the MLA Task Force on Evaluating Scholarship for Tenure and Promotion (December 2006)