Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University

Day, Moira moira.day at USASK.CA
Mon Feb 11 00:51:53 EST 2013 

The correspondence at the end of the report was particularly interesting, and I'm almost sorry that both parties didn't proceed to have that larger public, philosophical debate that they felt the matter possibly deserved. So much seems to hinge on that over-worked word, "diversity" and what it actually means. Personally, I'm more inclined to agree with Tibor - if I'm not misunderstanding him in my own turn. Even as someone who feels that religious colleges have a legitimate place in a pluralistic university, (and I'm not suggesting that CAUT is arguing that they don't), I have grave reservations about some of Redeemer's own understandings of "pluralism" ; it's not an academic or faith community that I'd want to belong to myself, and I'm glad I don't live in a world where it would be my only route to a higher education and the professions. But even if I'm personally closer to agreeing to CAUT's definition of academic freedom, I'm also uncomfortable with the apparent imposition of a one-size-fits-all definition of  "diversity" that strikes me as being, in its own way, as exclusive, ideologically driven and selective in its interpretation of the history of education as the other. As mentioned, it seemed to me that the correspondence in the report ended on a note of debate or discussion that I'm almost sorry did not continue. Though I guess we've been doing a pretty good job of that ourselves.

Moira
On 2013-02-10, at 8:05 AM, appledor at sympatico.ca<mailto:appledor at sympatico.ca> wrote:

What an excellent, well argued and fair analysis by Professors Handford and Manson.

David Ferry
Appledore Productions
416 433 5826
www.davidferryactor.com<http://www.davidferryactor.com/>

On Feb 7, 2013, at 3:47 PM, Aida Jordao <a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA<mailto:a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA>> wrote:

Yes, I thought you meant TWU was not open to diversity, which they're evidently not. Theirs is an exclusionary attitude -- very problematic in our so-called mosaic.
Aida

--
Aida Jordão
PhD Candidate, The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
University of Toronto

________________________________
From: Canadian Theatre Research [CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>] on behalf of Tibor Egervari [tiboregervari at SYMPATICO.CA<mailto:tiboregervari at SYMPATICO.CA>]
Sent: February 7, 2013 2:32 PM
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University

Hello

I  am sorry if I didn't  express myself clearly. I do think that the rule of diversity applies to institutions too. Therefore, notwithstanding my personal beliefs, I am of the opinion that Trinity Western University is a legitimate addition to the Canadian mosaic.

Tibor

________________________________
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 18:51:05 +0000
From: gnichols at MTA.CA<mailto:gnichols at MTA.CA>
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>


Hello

Certainly not new or unique. Although not theatre specifically, a local, private university in Moncton (Crandall, formerly Atlantic Baptist University) has stirred a controversy over their explicit policy of not hiring anyone in any capacity (faculty, admin or staff) who has sexual relations outside of a male/female marriage. This is based on their understanding of Christian beliefs. The controversy has arisen over their acceptance of public subsidies, although they have recently announced they will not be asking for further subsidy from the municipality…. The province is another matter…



Glen



From: Canadian Theatre Research [mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA] On Behalf Of Simon du Toit
Sent: February 7, 2013 12:52 PM
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>
Subject: Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University



Hi Aida et al

The issue you raise is complex, but it's not new.  There are a few private Canadian institutions that have the right under the law to discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation, of which TWU is one. The practice is much more widely accepted in the U.S., where there are hundreds of such institutions.  The CAUT has been conducting investigations of some of those Canadian schools, although not on the basis of a complaint filed by any faculty member of the schools in question. Here's a report on one such investigation:

http://www.caut.ca/pages.asp?page=978&lang=1

This issue has implications for much larger questions, about whether we are able to tolerate religious voices in a democracy. See for example the Bouchard Taylor Commission. Does our national vision of multicultural diversity include religion? What if that religion itself excludes others? These are complex ethical issues, as Tibor's note suggests. I, for one, think that the insistence on rational discourse alone in higher education is itself an exclusionary tactic that privileges certain voices and interests. Performance studies has an important contribution to make to the discussion, so I think it's a good topic for all of us.

Regards,

Simon

======================================================
Simon W. du Toit
B.Ed., M.F.A., Ph.D.
Undergraduate Chair, Communication, Media, and Film
Sessional Instructor, School of Dramatic Art
Room 4113, Lambton Tower; (519) 253-3000 x2847
University of Windsor



From:        Aida Jordao <a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA<mailto:a.jordao at UTORONTO.CA>>
To:        CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>,
Date:        2013-02-07 10:38 AM
Subject:        Re: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University
Sent by:        Canadian Theatre Research <CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>>

________________________________



Hi Peter et al,
Doesn't this advertisement for "a committed Christian" discriminate on the basis of religion? And what is "ethical theatre training"?
Aida

--
Aida Jordão
PhD Candidate, The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
University of Toronto

________________________________

From: Canadian Theatre Research [CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>] on behalf of Peter Kuling [kuling at GMAIL.COM<mailto:kuling at GMAIL.COM>]
Sent: February 6, 2013 1:41 PM
To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA<mailto:CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA>
Subject: Full-Time Tenure Track Position in Theatre - Trinity Western University

The School of the Arts, Media and Culture at Trinity Western University seeks a creative mentor for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level in the Theatre Department.

This small and dynamic department, in which faculty responsibilities are shared and negotiated, offers a BA in Theatre and a BFA in Acting. The successful candidate will be an accomplished generalist whose broad knowledge of theatre includes experience in everything from design to performance. S/he will be required to oversee all production activities, including supervising production staff and managing budgets, as well as direct one production each year. Strong evidence of teaching effectiveness in several areas – which could include acting, directing, voice, movement, and/or technical theatre – is required. The successful candidate will hold an MFA or PhD in theatre and be a committed Christian with a vision for challenging and ethical theatre training.

Interested candidates are requested to complete the on-line application at http://www.twu.ca/divisions/hr/join/faculty-positions.html. Additionally, please forward to Judy Bartram, Executive Assistant to the Office of the Provost, Academics (judy.bartram at twu.ca)<mailto:judy.bartram at twu.ca)> documentation outlining interests, experience, and major contributions to teaching, research and practice as well as verification of doctoral (or terminal) degree.  Applications will be accepted until March 6, 2013 or until a suitable candidate is found, subject to budget approval.  Any enquiries regarding this position may also be sent to judy.bartram at twu.ca<mailto:judy.bartram at twu.ca>.

Trinity Western University is a liberal arts university and seeks candidates who are committed to and support its evangelical Christian basis, mission and orientation. More information about Trinity Western’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture and its programs can be found here<http://www.twu.ca/academics/samc/>. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed in the first instance to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://artsservices.uwaterloo.ca/pipermail/candrama/attachments/20130211/a36821e1/attachment.html>

More information about the Candrama mailing list