Department of English Literature and Creative Writing
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Term Adjunct, Early Modern English Literature
Deadline for applications: Wednesday May 27th, 4:00pm
The Department of English at Queen’s University invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following courses:
Fall Term 2026
- ENGL 326A Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama (projected enrolment: 40–50) – full-year in-person undergraduate lecture/discussion course (first half)
- ENGL 835 Topics in Early Modern Literature and Culture (projected enrolment: 8–10) – one-term in-person graduate seminar
Winter Term 2027
- ENGL 259 Global Shakespeare (projected enrolment: 90) – one-term predesigned online undergraduate course
- ENGL 326B Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama (projected enrolment: 40–50) – full-year in-person undergraduate lecture/discussion course (second half)
Teaching Assistants will be assigned to undergraduate courses based on enrolment. Candidates must have a doctoral degree with demonstrated expertise in early modern English literature, combined with evidence of teaching experience. Additional expertise in postcolonial literature, while not mandatory, would be an asset. The dates of this appointment are 1 September 2026 to 30 April 2027.
ENGL 326 and 835 are in-person courses, so instructors are expected to be present in Kingston to teach classes and hold office hours. The online course (ENGL 259) is already developed, so teaching duties will primarily consist of engaging students throughout the course to facilitate their learning, providing effective feedback, and supervising teaching assistants. Support from the department will be provided to assist in the management of course activities.
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.
The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during this process, please contact Meghan Berry, Manager for the English Department at meghan.berry@queensu.ca.
The academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by the Collective Agreement between the Queen's University Faculty Association (QUFA) and the University, which is posted at https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moas.
To comply with Federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information about how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens/permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada” or “I am not a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada.” Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.
Applications must include the following items:
- A cover letter summarizing the applicant’s qualifications and including the citizenship statement mentioned in the preceding paragraph
- A complete and current curriculum vitae
- Letters of recommendation from two referees, sent directly to the Associate Head (address below)
Please arrange to have applications and supporting letters sent to:
Dr Molly Wallace, Associate Head
Department of English Literature and Creative Writing
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
wallacem@queensu.ca
(Please use the subject “Early modern Term Adjunct position 2026–2027”)
Applications will be received until Wednesday May 27th. Review of applications will commence shortly thereafter, and the final appointment is subject to budgetary approval. Additional information about the Department of English can be found at https://www.queensu.ca/english/.
Course Descriptions (Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar)
ENGL 259 Global Shakespeare
A study of the dissemination of Shakespeare’s plays across a range of cultures and sites from the early seventeenth century to the present, with a focus on the development of Shakespeare as a “global” author. Selected plays will be studied in historical context and in geographically diverse adaptations in theatrical, print, and electronic media.
Learning Hours: 120 (36 Lecture, 84 Private Study)
Prerequisite: (Level 2 or above) or (6.0 units in ENGL).
ENGL 326 Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama
The development of English drama from 1580 to 1642 with emphasis on Shakespeare, but including plays by such writers as Lyly, Greene, Marlowe, Dekker, Jonson, Marston, Beaumont and Fletcher, Webster, and Massinger.
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 168 Private Study)
Prerequisite: Registration in an ENGL Specialization, Major, or Joint Honours, and ENGL 200/6.0 and ENGL 290/3.0 and a minimum GPA of 2.3 in 9.0 units of ENGL.
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Analyze and interpret early modern plays as theatrical scripts as well as literary texts.
- Identify the salient features of the main genres of early modern drama, explaining similarities and differences between various playwrights’ use of these genres.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the professional theatre in early modern London, including the organization of acting companies, playhouse design, stagecraft, repertories, censorship, and audience demographics.
- Analyze the portrayal in early modern drama of contact between people of different social classes, nations, and races.
- Communicate interpretations of early modern drama in thesis-driven essays that combine the close reading of primary sources with some secondary research.
ENGL 835 Topics in Early Modern Literature and Culture
Subject-matter varies—instructor’s choice.
Posted: Wednesday May 13th
.