This document serves as a supplement to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Standards of Competence and Performance to provide additional expectations appropriate to the department’s discipline. It serves to clarify how the collegiate standards can be applied and evaluated within the department.
Department values statement
Department values statement
Faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology are expected to make significant and sustained contributions to knowledge, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, deliver rigorous classroom instruction, and provide meaningful service to the department, college, university, and discipline. Our department strives to foster faculty growth, encouraging faculty to continuously develop their knowledge and skills. Our collective goal is to consistently work to improve the quality of our contributions to better deliver our curriculum, help our students achieve their professional goals, and enhance the reputation of our department.
Tenure-track faculty expectations
All tenure-track ranks
Research
- The department does not stipulate a particular rate of publications or set of journals, but there is an expectation of consistent research productivity primarily in the form of articles published in reputable peer reviewed journals or definable progress on academic book manuscripts. Other forms of research productivity include chapters in academic volumes and grant applications. A rough rule of thumb is that each research-active faculty member will produce, on average, at least 1-2 research products each year. The department also takes into consideration the quality of contributions, placing value on research that is innovative and that significantly advances knowledge in its field.
- A reputable journal is characterized by a commitment to rigorous peer review, high-quality production standards, and transparent editorial policies. Other characteristics include an active and distinguished editorial board, inclusion in reputable indexing databases (e.g., Web of Science), low selectivity rates, and a history of publishing credible research.
- The department acknowledges that subdisciplines differ widely regarding the time and effort required to produce a significant empirical or theoretical publication. Accordingly, it is anticipated that even the most accomplished faculty members may have very different rates of productivity.
- The department also recognizes a variety of markers of research activity and reputation development. For example, invitations to give talks at other institutions and at conferences are a sign of the visibility of a scholar’s research program and are also beneficial to the department. Other markers include awards from prestigious societies, receipt of an endowed position, editing special issues for reputable journals, community engaged research, and organizing scientific conferences, workshops, and symposia.
- The department also values efforts to attain research grants. Grants enable faculty to sustain and expand their research programs, strengthen the department’s reputation both internally and externally, and generate funds that help address critical departmental needs.
Assistant professor
No additional expectations beyond the basic expectations for all faculty and those for all tenure-track faculty ranks.
Associate professor
Teaching
- Effectively mentor graduate students and guide them to the PhD in a timely manner.
Research
- It is expected that associate professors will accumulate evidence of increasing reputation.
- Seek external funding to support research and trainees.
Service
- Expand the range of service contributions within the department.
Full professor
Teaching
- Continue to effectively mentor graduate students and guide them to the PhD in a timely manner.
Research
- It is expected that full professors will possess a national and, where appropriate, international reputation and maintain a research program that further enhances that reputation.
- Continue to seek funding to support research and trainees.
Service
- Expand the range of service contributions within the department by, for example, serving as chair of a search committee or promotion committee.
Instructional-track faculty expectations
Assistant professor of instruction/practice
No additional expectations beyond the basic expectations for all faculty and those for all instructional-track faculty.
Associate professor of instruction/practice
Teaching
- Participate in professional development opportunities to further grow as an instructor and stay informed about current instructional practices.
Service
Expand the range of service contributions within the department.
Full professor of instruction/practice
Teaching
- Participate in professional development opportunities to further grow as an instructor and stay informed about current instructional practices.
Service
- Expand the range of service contributions within the department by, for example, serving as chair of a promotion committee for instructional-track faculty.
- Contribute to discussions on effective teaching practices in the department, college, and broader professional community.