Restoration and 18th Century British

Page Updated Tues. Dec. 18, 12:31 p.m. EST Links: Academic Job Search Main English Literature Home Postdocs in the Humanities (2008)

U of Alabama (18th or 19th-c. novel)
Writing sample & doss request: 11/6 (2) '''
 * '''MLA Interview Request 12/3 (3)

American University (Washington, DC)
Deadline/review begins: Nov. 15th


 * MLA interview request by phone 12/11 x3

Q: Anyone hear anything yet re: w.s.? A: When I applied to American, not in this field, a few years back, they went straight for MLA interviews and asked for w.s. at interview. Thanks very much for this information. I interviewed with them a few years back and they did not ask for a writing sample before the interview. Instead, they chose to ask off-the-mark and uncharitable questions without having bothered to read anything first. If you get an interview with them, make sure you keep hold of the reins. Q: did they ask for a w.s. after the interview? A: I think they wanted it at the interview.

And yes, they asked candidate to bring writing sample to interview, which they said would be read AT MLA. Does this mean candidate has to make a copy for each member of the committee? A: Just one copy. Q: Does anyone know if American has contacted everyone they're going to? A: My guess is yes, probably. There weren't that many interview slots left by the time the chair got to me. Also, he was obviously very efficient in making his calls. 12/12 12:46PM

Bard College (17th/18th-c; exclusive of Romanticism)
Deadline: November 15 MLA INTERVIEW SCHEDULED 12/19 Search for this position last year failed? A: beware. candidate hired, but department decision was reversed by crazy president and candidate was unhired. A: Last year, they were looking for someone who worked in 18th-c. and either the history of science or globalism. The subspecialties were pretty narrow. Maybe they ended up offering the position to someone who didn't fit either of those subfields and the Pres. overturned for that reason? I don't know how closely hires have to match the ad. A: Yes, such things can now go here: link http://wikihost.org/wikis/academe/wiki/black_listed_universities_and_colleges A: Rest of discussion has been moved to above wiki. W.S. and doss request, 12/5 x4 Q: Anyone been asked for an interview? A: I imagine it'll still be a little while yet since they only asked for samples and dossiers to be mailed a little over a week ago. Most of the materials probably only arrived at the end of last week at the earliest. Keep your cellphone turned on next week.... A: FWIW, I see that Bard's fall semester doesn't end until 12/21. That's yet another reason why interview requests may come late (assuming they haven't come already without any of us knowing it). A: Good point. It's a little vexing, though! A: Dear Bard, Please Call Me. Thanks. A: I'm just glad that I have other interviews. If I were waiting for this one to come through as my only interview I'd be pulling my hair out.

A: They finally got in touch. Yes, vexing, since by the time they got in touch I didn't have very much leeway in my schedule. Would it be too much to wish they could be understanding about the fact that might be the case if they wait so long to get in touch with candidates, and might they try to be flexible with their schedule in turn? Yes, I know it's too much to wish--no need for anyone to answer. 12/19

So, 12/19: Email notification for interview at MLA

A: I am sad that they didn't contact me. Can I blame it on Bard's allegedly erratic president? I think I will. A: You do that. I don't think it's right to be saddened by any of the rejections. It's a long and tough process of being "wanted" and "unwanted," with many opportunities to find out one is "unwanted."

Berea College
11/2 statement requested via email 11/16- Last 2 weeks of November: phone interviews taking place. Q: 12/10 Any one get a phone interview? I got a request for a statement but have not hear an anything since. A: I had a telephone interview in late November. Haven't heard since. 12/18: MLA interview scheduled.

Boston U (lit before 1700 or 1800; ability to teach classics in translation)
MLA interview scheduled by phone (12/14)

Dossier & writing sample requested by letter (rec'd 11/6).

Formal rejection by letter received 11/6, 11/26

Snail mail letter received 11/21, written 11/5, stating application was received and will be in touch again "as soon as [they] have completed [their] first stage of review." I assume this means I was put on some sort of reserve list if others have gotten requests for writing samples already, and others rejection letters.

A week later: snail mail letter received yesterday 11/27 stating the committee is no longer considering me. i.e., no longer on that "reserve" list.

Q: for the person with the interview, is 18c your primary field? A. Yes

California SU, Los Angeles
12/11 phone call to schedule a conference call interview for THIS THURS/FRIDAY (3)

Q For those of you who got interviews: Are they scheduled for Eastern Standard Time? Realized in the wee hours that I was not sure. Clarification greatly appreciated!!! A They scheduled mine for Pacific. Thanks so much for this--very kind of you to help me out. Hope yours went well!

University of Chicago (Assistant or Associate Prof.)
Deadline: November 1

E-mail acknowldgement of applic., 11/14

Q: I am not trying to start up a gossip mill, but has anyone else heard there is an inside candidate for this job?

A: What would an inside candidate be?

Chapter-length writing sample req. by e-mail 11/21 (x2).

Request for "substantial writing sample (35-50 pages)," 11/28

Request received yesterday 11/27 via email asking for a writing sample to be emailed to them. 11/28

BTW, 11/27 email request stated that interviews would be scheduled only right before MLA

Q: Does anyone know whether they interviewed candidates or made an offer for the British lit, 1750-1900 job last year?

A: 11/25 I applied last year and only got up to the WS stage. The rejection letter was sent a week before MLA. My hunch was that they didn't look at any 18th-century people because the appointment was based on whether or not their resident 18th-century person got approved for tenure (the answer is "yes," but that person has since left). Based on last year's Wiki, though, it looks like they did interview people working in the 19th century.

I don't know if they made an offer in that area, though. I hope this helps answers your question.

A: No offer was made in that search last year.

A: Thanks for the info.

A: I checked: requests for writing samples are still being made, and calls for interviews will be made on 12/11 at the earliest.

A: Thanks for the update; that is helpful to know. Scary about the continued w.s. requests, though; are they not liking the ones that they've already requested?

A: They're a very picky bunch at Chicago, so it's not surprising that they would have to see loads of writing samples before deciding whom to interview. And from what I know there isn't an inside candidate.

A: to above Q asking what an inside candidate would be, in this case I heard there is a preferred candidate, although I certainly hope that isn't the case!


 * MLA interview scheduled by phone (12/11)x2

Q: are these interviews for the Assistant or for the Associate level? Thanks.

Q: I second the above question. Also, does anyone know if Chicago has contacted everyone they're going to?

Snail-mail rejection letter (the nicest I've ever received) 12/14
 * Email rejection letter (kindly worded) received 12/12 x3

Well, they've been sending rejection emails to people who got WS requests but not interviews, so you should know your fate by now.

A: At least one is for assistant.

Q: It would be interesting to know if anyone is being interviewed specifically for the Associate level position, or if any such distinctions are being made by the search committee at this stage.

A: I do know at least one candidate is being interviewed who is at the associate level already. A: 8 pre-associates; 4 associates are being interviewed. There may be two job to award.

A: That's very informative! How many/are any of the pre-associates ABD, or do all have PhD in hand? That would be great to know. Thanks!

CUNY, Hunter College (Renaissance/Early Modern: 1500-1800)
Has _anyone_ heard anything about this job since the acknowledgement letter first sent by the search committee chair? 12/13 A: not me 12/13 A: nor I 12/16. A: ditto, also no listing on the early modern page, so who knows. . . 12/16. A: it's listed as Hunter not CUNY on EM--no interviews listed yet there(12/17) MLA Interview scheduled 12/17 (x2) Hunter on Early Mod page

CUNY, John Jay (17th/18th-c.)
12/4 Dossier Request (me too, on 12/2)
 * MLA interview request by phone, 12/13

CUNY, Lehman (Assistant or Assoc.)

 * MLA Interview request by phone (12/6) x2

DePaul U
10/31 Dossier, transcripts, writing sample requested via email

11/1 Dossier, transcripts, writing sample requested

11/15 Dossier, transcript, writing sample requested (e-mail)

11/19 Request for doss, trans, w.s. (email)

11/28 Dossier, transcripts, writing sample requested via email

12/1 Formal rejection received via snail mail

Q: What's the word? Lots of requests and one rejection, but no interviews yet?

12/15 MLA Interview Scheduled by phone (x4)

Q: Does anyone know if they've made all their calls for interviews? A: When mine was scheduled the chair said that there were two or three time slots left in which I could set mine up, so I imagine that by today they've finished scheduling.

Email rejection sent 12/18

Florida International U
Specializing in the novel, 18th and early 19th c Postmark: 11/15

MLA interview scheduled by phone 12/17

Acknowledgement letter received 11/16; says interviewees will be contacted early Dec. Just received acknowledgment letter from them 12/7, dated 12/4, even tho' my application was sent in October; does this seem odd to anyone else?

Two years ago this place never even acknowledged my application even though they had two disparate fields listed, both of which I'd published in.

'''MLA Interview scheduled by phone 12/18 '''

Fordham U
Anyone hear anything from Fordham?

Dossier and writing sample requested 11/16 (by email) (2)


 * MLA interview request 12/13 (3)

George Mason U

 * MLA interview scheduled by phone 12/10

Q: Have they finished making their calls-anybody know? Snail mail rejection letter received 12/17 (2)

Gettysburg College

 * MLA interview requested by phone (12/11) x3

Dossier and w.s. requested by email (11/28) (4) Formal rejection received via snail mail (12/6) (2)

Q: Anyone know how many people they're interviewing?

Holy Cross (preferred focus: drama or poetry)
Add'l materials requested via e-mail (11/8)

Add'l materials requested by email (11/18) (same 11/19 (2))


 * Scheduled MLA interview (12/11) by phone

Q: Has Holy Cross made all their calls already-anyone know?

I think they had because they were getting down to only a couple of choices for time slots when they called me. I sympathize. Can't really believe how painful all this is. To quote the eminently wise modernists: "Sigh."

Indiana U, Kokomo
According to the listing, one may only apply for this job if one has a PhD in hand at time of application.


 * MLA Interview requested by email on 12/12

Indiana University-Bloomington
Writing sample and dossier requested via e-mail (November 8 or Nov 9) sample and dossier requested (email) Nov 16 (x2) Rejection letter in the mail 11/30 (x3 - mine said they would keep my app on file for the rest of the yr) So did my letter. I'm assuming everyone's did.


 * MLA Interview scheduled (12/10)

Has anyone else heard anything from Indiana? Is there any reason to keep on hoping?

A. I have heard that they have finished making their calls. 12/12 11:48AM

Q: anyone know how many people are being interviewed for this position? Q: Does anyone know whether the search criteria may have been narrowed as they were going through the applications?

James Madison U

 * MLA interview requested (11/30)(3)

Q: Does anyone know if JMU is done making their calls?

A: It would be pretty unusual for any more interviews to be scheduled at this point. Unlike dossier/ws requests, which often happen whenever the committee reads your file and is interested, interviews are usually scheduled all at one time. I'm sure there are exceptions. But unless someone cancels on them, no one is still scheduling interviews 10 days after they start making calls.

A: In reply to the strongly worded answer above, one can only say 'Au contraire.' Some search comms will contact the consensus top picks quite early (say beginning of the month), but wait until the semester ends to to get together and decide who else to contact. I've no idea how JMU's particular search comm operates, though.

Long Island U (18th/19th-c. novel)
Writing sample and dossier requested 11/9, 11/14


 * MLA interview request 12/9

Loyola U, New Orleans
Q: Didn't they run this search last year, too? Q: Anyone heard anything? A: Look at the listing under Romantic/Victorian. I think that I remember seeing a few interviews listed there as having been scheduled.

Oberlin College
deadline: 12/18 Q: why is the deadline so late? since they don't ask for a writing sample up-front, how can they possibly process everything in time for MLA interviews?

A: They must have just gotten approval to go ahead with the search. I guess they'll be reading very quickly!

A: Given their timeframe, I'd be rather surprised if they interview at MLA. Phone interviews (the norm in some disciplines) seem more likely. I doubt they'll look at writing samples before MLA in any case.

A: I would not be surprised if there were an insider hire for this job. Department was probably forced to put ad. in MLA list by administration to make the hire seem "fair" and "legit." Clearly coming up with an appropriate hire from outside within the time frame they've given themselves is compromised in this search.

A: They didn't do a search for the VAP last year after their 18th-Cist left, but just brought someone in. Whether or not that means they're committed to keeping this person I can't say. At any rate, unless you've got an Ivy or "elite" pedigree there's really no sense in applying, since they'll just chuck the applications from candidates without such pedigrees after perusing the tops of their cvs. That'll certainly help them cut down on the time it takes to vet applications, so this might be a legit search after all.

COMMENT: Please note that from 2000 to the present less than half of Oberlin's English hires have beem Ivy League, not that there's anything wrong with that.

A: clearly, inside hire...the Oberlin HR webpage lists this job as posted in early Nov.; internally that is...if this weren't a set-up, it wouldn't have taken them over a month to post the job nationally

A: They do have an inside candidate, but I think it's a mistake to make so many assumptions about a search. There are lots of reasons (including administrative error, departmental discussion about the content of the job ad, deadlines, etc.) that would delay the advertisement of a job. Having been an inside candidate at a SLAC, I can assure you that it is not an enviable position and most definitely does not mean you're getting the job.

Q: I assume they're not acknowledging receipt of applications because the deadline is so late and they don't have time?

COMMENT: They've been running this search, in one way or another, for five or so years.

MLA Interview Scheduled by phone (12/19)

U of Miami (transatlantic literary/cultural studies, 1600-1850)

 * MLA interview scheduled by e-mail 12/10 x2

Writing sample request via e-mail (11/9) Rejection email rec'd 11/27 (4) Dissertation requested via email 11/29 Q: was the diss request a follow-up to an earlier WS request? A: yes, WS was requested in mid-November

Received rejection e-letter 12/10

Q: Are they only interviewing people whose diss./current research focuses on transatlantic questions? It sounded that way from the ad. (i.e. as opposed to people who work in this period who have transatlantic interests but whose current projects don't focus on transatlantic questions.) Thanks.

U of Mississippi
Writing sample requested via e-mail (11/20)(11/27)


 * MLA interview scheduled by phone (12/14) x2

U of New England (pre 1800)
Q: Anyone heard anything?

Their semester doesn't end until 12/22, so perhaps they're planning to meet sometime this week or (late tho' it would be) end of this week to decide? The position announcement states that they'll contact candidates for dossiers, but I can't see how they'll have time to do so now--maybe requests for writing samples with the interviews?

A: 12/19 Rejection by email.(X 2)

Stanford U (British lit, 1660-1914)
(I can't gauge the accuracy of this report, but I was told there is an inside candidate/spousal hire situation.)

I've heard that too, from a very reliable source.

Just remember that "power couples" often have offers from more than one institution. "Inside" candidates often end up going elsewhere even if they get the first offer.

A: And lord knows, more than one insider search has gotten derailed, once they start looking at all the other people that apply

Q: Anyone heard anything?

A: That an interview with a 19c person has been scheduled (reliable source); and that they are only looking at 19c people(rumor)

A: If the latter part is true, then how considerate of Stanford to post the job listing the way that they did.

A: interesting about the 19c interview list; the inside candidate does 19th too (wah-wah-wah)

Q: does anyone know how to create a link here to the Stanford listing under "General" and Victorian"?

Q: So, has Stanford scheduled all of its interviews? (12/19)

A: Who knows about anything with them and this search.

A: Email rejection, 12/20 x2

SUNY, Fredonia
11/7 letters, writing sample, teaching dossier requested Formal rejection received by mail, 11/17 (2) MLA Interview Scheduled last week

SUNY Geneseo (TT 3/3)
Deadline: November 5 (online) Dossier requested via email 11/8 (3), also 11/15
 * Scheduled MLA interview by phone 12/11

SUNY Oneonta
Q: Anyone heard anything?

SUNY Oswego (Early Mod excluding Shakespeare, 17th-c. or 18th-c.)
Q: Those who received interview requests, what's your field/period? A: long C18 is my main field Q: Does anyone know how many people will be interviewed?
 * MLA interview scheduled 12/1 (w/ request to email w.s. beforehand) (2)

Swarthmore
History of Novel in English Postmark Deadline: Nov 1 On the Victorian page, several people said that they had received rejection letters in the mail on 12/12. C18 candidate rejected by snail mail 12/13 '''Any word on this job? Has anyone received a call re: an interview?  (12/14) 12/17 MLA interview scheduled by phone''' Q. What is your field?

12/17 rejection by e-mail at 4:48 PM

A: I know that my Victorianist pal got an interview with them.

Texas Tech U
Dossier requested via email 11/9 Doss requested via email 11/12
 * 12/8 MLA interview request (email)

The s.c. granted interviews to 8 candidates

U of Tulsa (1500-1800; history of the book or history of drama)
Add't materials requested via email 11/11

See also posting at Renaissance

Q: Anyone heard from these folks? A: Interview requested 12/4 (see also on the Renaissance page)

Vassar (focus: fiction)

 * MLA interview request via phone (12/4) (x4)

Q: Does anyone know if the s.c. has contacted everyone they're going to yet?

A. I would assume so. I was told they are interviewing 14 candidates at MLA. 12/12

Q: Do all of those who have interviews with Vassar have the Ph.D. in hand? and do some match the subfields that were stated in the ad? I'm curious to know to what extent the s.c.'s adhere to all the statements in the ads when they select people to interview. I wonder if they really did throw out every application if the person didn't actually have the Ph.D. in hand. Thanks. A: I know a candidate interviewing with Vassar who does _not_ have the Ph.D. in hand. A: I have an interview, but I do not as yet hold my Ph.D. And though I can easily teach the eighteenth-century novel, I would not consider myself a novel specialist. Nor am I a specialist in either of the sub-fields: Queer and Environmental Studies. So my sense is that while they're keen on hiring in these fields, they're not confining themselves to them. A: Thanks for the info! Greatly appreciated.

U of Virginia (Medieval or Renaiss. or 18th-c. or Early American)

 * MLA interview request by phone and email (12/6) x 2

Q: For those who got interviews, what is your field? A: It looks like they decided to go with Medieval and 18thc since interviews have been listed as scheduled under these two fields. Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky ones, so I don't know for sure. A: interviews were requested in all the areas. Q: Is UVA all done requesting interviews (12/10)? Q: I want to know this too! 12/10 5:00PM EST A: I'm pretty certain (95%) that all interviewees have been contacted. A: I'm pretty certain there are 14 interviews for the 2 jobs (total), and that interviews were granted in all 4 areas. note: discussion truncated to foreground the pertinent information.

U of Washington
Deadline: Nov 9 Writing sample requested on November 8 (via email). Sample and doss requested on Novemeber 16 via email. Sample and dossier requested November 28 via email.


 * MLA interview request via e-mail (12/5)x2

Q: Aargh-if there's some kind UW s.c. member lurking, could said member reveal if all MLA interviewees have already been contacted? (request from highly desirous, uncontacted jobseeker) Ah, yes, I second that-for the other recently posted interview requests on this page as well!! In commiseration.... A: not on the SC, but the interview request email listed 11 slots, and they took a few days to get back to us, so it looks like they contacted everyone and filled all the slots at once A: Just got email rejection from them. Extremely lame generic email (compared to, say, the gentle and considerate rejection emails Chicago sent). A: The chair of the search committee couldn't even bother to write it himself. There was also a word missing in the 3 line letter from his assistant. A: Oh come on! Who cares? You got rejected. I got rejected. That's all I need to know. Having the chair make nicey-nice isn't going to change that. On to our other interviews..... A: Oh come on! I care. You're a person who works with words, I'm a person who works with words; it makes a difference in how I view the place.

Washington SU-Pullman
All MLA interviews have been scheduled (12/10)
 * MLA interview requested by phone and email (12/8) x 2

Wayne State University
Very professional and cordial email rejection on 11/20

Q: Was this for the feminist/queer theory/sexuality studies position?

I got a rejection, too.

A: Yes, I think so. I saw two different job ads for what looked like the same job, one seemed to focus more on early modern cultural studies (defined broadly), and the other (if I'm remembering right) emphasized feminist studies/queery theory.

The rejection letter made me wonder if they'd had to cancel the search. Does anyone know?

Really? What gave you that impression? They're doing a few searches: one in early modern and then also one in feminist theory/sexuality. Did you think they were cancelling the latter?

Wesleyan U (focus: novel)

 * MLA Interview requested via email 12/7, with request to see a great deal more of my writing beforehand. x2

Q: Anyone have any idea how many interview slots there are at Wesleyan?

A: No, I don't. But maybe someone can call the secretary who arranged the interviews and ask?

A: Don't bother the secretary with that question; it puts her in a very awkward place

A: For some of my interviews, the s.c. chair has specifially mentioned how many people they're interviewing. It's usually not a secret. If anyone has the time and inclination to make the call, I don't think there's any need to worry about putting her in an awkward position.

A: Why don't you call, then? You clearly have the inclination.

A: Because I don't care.

U of West Georgia

 * A: MLA interview requested 11/27 (4)

Q: Dossier requested?

A: With my interview request, I was asked to send dossier and graduate transcripts. Snail mail rejection received 12/17

Questions, Discussion, etc.
Q: Does anyone know if Harvard ended up hiring anyone for the 18th-c. job last year? The 06-07 wiki says that an offer was accepted but it doesn't look like they did hire anyone; it looks like they've recast the ad/position into an Early Modernist one this year.

Q: Does anyone know what happened last year with University of Colorado at Boulder's search for an associate in 18th century? A: they didn't make a hire and plan to run the search again in future. Not sure when/what level.

Q: Speaking of Colorado, does anyone know what happened with the Colorado College 18th-C/Romanticism search last year? It doesn't appear that they hired anyone, yet apparently they aren't running a new search this year. A: I heard they had campus visits but didn't make an offer - that the search failed. (And of course it would, since they didn't hire either of us!)

Note/ general query: the transition left this page a mess; I went through and bolded interview info when I could find it. Would others mind further clean-up? no deletions, but separation of hard info and discussion? Seems to have been done nicely on romantics page. If others are OK with this, I encourage a communal editing effort.

Thanks for cleaning up the page and putting each comment on a separate line. It is much easier to read now. 12/14