Assistant Professor of Game Design & Game Studies

Search:#1121
Date Posted: 11/07/2022
Type/Department:Faculty in Cognitive Science
Search Status:Position Filled
Apply Now:Currently we are not accepting resumes for this position.

Hampshire College

Job Title: Assistant Professor of Game Design & Game Studies

Position Type: Full Time

Pay Range/ Status: $56,647–$74,000

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2023

Hampshire College, an independent, innovative liberal arts institution and member of the Five College consortium, is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor of Game Design and Game Studies to begin July 1, 2023.

Hampshire’s academic program is unique within higher education in the United States. Every student designs an individualized curriculum and completes a year-long substantial project synthesizing their course of study as a condition of graduation. Students are provided narrative evaluations of their work instead of grades. The College has no majors or departments, reflecting a commitment to transdisciplinary learning. Our student community is distinctively diverse: this year 39% are BIPOC or international, 37.5% receive Pell Grants, approximately a third are neurodivergent, and a substantial majority identify as LGBTQIA+.

Hampshire is implementing a radically new curriculum organized around a set of transdisciplinary Learning Collaboratives that assemble faculty, students, and staff to address urgent contemporary issues and challenges. For 2022–23, the urgent challenges are: (1) How should we act on our responsibilities in the face of changing climate?; (2) How do we disrupt and dismantle white supremacy?; (3) How do we decide what constitutes truth in a “post-truth” era?; and (4) How can art and creative practices address trauma? Over the course of the academic year, the successful candidate will teach at least two courses that connect with one or another of these challenges and also mentor student projects that engage with these challenges.  Hampshire also implemented a new “Race and Power” requirement which will ensure that students engage in critical reflection on racial justice and equity throughout their Hampshire career. Candidates are invited to explain how their teaching and scholarly/artistic work does or could contribute to addressing these expectations.

Hampshire College is a member of the Five College consortium (Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts), with rich opportunities for Five College collaboration through joint programming, grant applications, Five College certificate programs and other shared resources.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The ideal candidate for this position will have substantial experience as a game designer, will be able to situate that work within the context of social justice, and will have a dedication to individualized and innovative undergraduate education. A successful candidate should have experience in leading the development and production of games, and strong understanding of all the aspects of the game development pipeline, from conceptualization and visualization to implementation. Experience with game engines, such as Unity, across multiple platforms is preferred. Experience developing analog games is a plus. Successful candidates should also be able to demonstrate experience speaking or writing about games from a critical perspective. The candidate should have an ability to work synergistically across disciplinary boundaries, connecting game design with other disciplines such as film and video, animation, performing arts, interactive art, critical media studies, and creative writing. We particularly invite applications from candidates who center race, gender, and sexuality in their work, encouraging students to grapple with the operation of power and privilege in the gamescape.

The successful candidate will:

  • teach two courses during each term (Fall and Spring);
  • connect two courses each year with one or two of the urgent challenges listed above;
  • work closely in individual or group settings to advise and mentor an increasingly diverse body of Hampshire students;
  • collaborate with faculty colleagues across disciplines and actively participate in governance and service committees ;
  • participate in events and forums organized by one of the Learning Collaboratives;
  • be eager to participate in continuous pedagogical experimentation.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE SHOULD:

  • have a terminal degree (Ph.D. or MFA)  in game design, or a related field, by start date 
  • have a demonstrated ability to engage undergraduates in their field through innovative teaching

BENEFITS:

Hampshire College offers an excellent benefits program for eligible employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, generous retirement plan contributions, flexible leave plans, and many other fringe benefits. For information on Hampshire College, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.hampshire.edu.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We’re particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, veterans, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants should submit:

  • a letter describing their teaching and scholarly/artistic interests and how they will contribute to addressing one or more of the urgent challenges;
  • curriculum vita;
  • names, titles, and contact info for three referees;
  • any other materials that could support the application (sample syllabi, evidence of teaching excellence, work samples, etc.).

Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

If you have general questions about this search, please email dof@hampshire.edu

Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2023, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

 

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.