The Role
The School of Art, an academic department at Aberystwyth University (AU) that sits within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is looking to appoint an Associate Lecturer in Art History (Teaching and Scholarship) to start in September 2024.
The School of Art offers single and joint honours undergraduate schemes in Fine Art, Photography, Creative Arts, and Art History, as well as taught Masters and research programmes in the practical, historical, and curatorial study of art. In fine art practice, our students specialise in painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, book illustration, film, installation, and site-specific performance.
Art History is central to the teaching provision of the School of Art: students on all our degree schemes take art history modules. The current Art History curriculum combines core survey modules spanning early modern to contemporary, modules led by staff research, and hands-on modules in which students engage with and curate our museum collections of fine and decorative art. Teaching centres on active learning and direct study of artworks in the School of Art and beyond.
The role holder will be responsible for the delivery of teaching, assessment, and administration of undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Art History, and will supervise undergraduate and postgraduate (MA) dissertations. The role holder will provide input, together with colleagues and under the direction of the Head of Department and the Director of Learning and Teaching, into the development of the Art History curriculum. The role holder will make a significant contribution to the delivery of excellence in teaching and learning in Art History within the context of national and institutional guidelines. It is expected that the role holder will possess and maintain specialist expertise in a geographical area, historical period, topic, or approach which complements and extends the School’s current teaching offer.
The role holder will also undertake administrative duties that contribute toward the smooth running of the School of Art, represent the School of Art at Faculty and University levels, and will be sensitive to the School’s provision as a whole and engage with AU strategic priorities such as recruitment, retention and student experience.
What you’ll do
* Prepare and deliver the teaching, administration, and assessment (including providing effective and timely feedback) of undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Art History;
* Supervise and assess undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in Art History, including beyond your own specialism;
* Develop appropriate teaching materials and use innovative teaching methods which align with relevant department and AU L&T strategies and policies to deliver high-quality and effective teaching that equips students with relevant knowledge, skills, attributes, and experiences;
* Promote and encourage students to develop critical thinking, historical interpretation, and subject-specific and transferrable skills in preparation for future careers and/or study;
* Make effective use of the Museum collection to enhance teaching and learning;
* Work effectively and collaboratively as a key member of the teaching team, which may include team teaching and co-teaching sessions and modules;
* Maintain specialist expertise in Art History by undertaking appropriate scholarship, which may connect with the Department’s Research Strategy;
* Provide input into the development of the art history curriculum in the context of the School’s wider teaching offer, in collaboration with colleagues, and under the direction of the Head of Department and the Director of Learning & Teaching;
* Engage positively and proactively with Student Voice initiatives, including Student Experience Survey (SES) and National Student Survey (NSS), to drive student engagement and respond to student feedback;
* Contribute to Open Days and Visit Days and work with central administrative departments to market and promote Art History at Aberystwyth in order to create new and nurture existing student cohorts;
* Engage positively and proactively with AU IT teaching and learning systems such as Blackboard (e-learning environment), Talis Aspire (reading list management system), Turnitin (anonymous e-submission of assignments), SAMS (student attendance monitoring), and Aladdin (personal tutee record management);
* Provide pastoral support to personal tutees, in accordance with AU policies and guidelines;
* Engage with External Examiners with regard to teaching and learning issues, feedback and assessments, and wider examination processes;
* Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post;
* Be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post;
* Be committed to your own development through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme;
* Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
The role holder will contribute to delivering excellence in teaching and learning as well as enhancing the student experience at the School of Art. It is expected that the role holder will be versatile, flexible and able to demonstrate:
Essential
1. Good Honours degree, and a PhD in History of Art (or a close cognate discipline) or nearing completion or have equivalent professional experience of teaching.
2. Ability to teach and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.
3. Excellent communication and presentation skills.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills, enabling effective team working to deliver teaching.
5. Good IT skills and familiarity with E-Learning in Higher Education.
6. Enthusiasm to contribute to the wider success of the School, including a willingness to undertake departmental administration, and flexibility to work within the full range of the teaching timetable (9AM – 6PM Monday to Friday) and contribute to weekend recruitment activities.
7. An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
Desirable
1. Experience in the delivery of teaching and supervision in Art History, co-ordination of taught modules, and administration in Higher Education.
2. Understanding of the specific demands of teaching Art History to art practitioners.
3. Prior experience with the e-learning platforms currently in use, including Blackboard Ultra and Turnitin.
4. Prior experience with personal tutoring and pastoral care of students, demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of students from different backgrounds and with varying degrees of aptitude.
5. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B1.*
*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
How to apply
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.
Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
* Flexible working policy
* 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
* Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
* Commitment to Professional Development
* Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
* Staff recognition and reward schemes
* Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
* Staff relocation bursary
* Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
* Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
Employment Visa
Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.
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