LECTURER

Job Summary

Department: Academic Development Unit

Key Responsibilities

A. Teaching, Learning and Critical Thinking Development

1. Design, develop and deliver undergraduate Critical Thinking courses that strengthen academic literacy, reading comprehension, academic writing and critical argumentation.

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2. Apply interdisciplinary, Humanities-based teaching approaches, drawing on literary texts and other appropriate materials to develop students' critical reading, interpretation and analytical capabilities.

3. Facilitate learning activities that encourage students to engage with diverse perspectives, evaluate evidence, construct coherent arguments and apply critical thinking to complex academic and societal questions.

4. Deliver effective teaching in face-to-face, and online learning environments, including large undergraduate classes of approximately 200 students.

5. Develop inclusive and student-centred teaching strategies that address academic language barriers and support students from diverse educational and linguistic backgrounds.

B. Curriculum Development, Assessment and Academic Quality:

1. Design, review and continuously improve Critical Thinking curricula and course materials to ensure relevance, academic quality and alignment with the Faculty's academic development objectives.

2. Develop appropriate assessments that evaluate students' critical reading, analytical writing, and argumentation.

3. Incorporate principles of curriculum transformation, decolonisation and inclusive education into course design, teaching materials and assessment practices.

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4. Monitor and evaluate student performance and learning outcomes to identify areas requiring academic intervention and continuous curriculum improvement.

5. Collaborate with relevant academic departments and Faculty structures to strengthen the integration of critical thinking and academic literacy into undergraduate and Postgraduate learning.

C. Academic Administration and Coordination:

1. Coordinate the planning, scheduling, delivery and administration of Critical Thinking courses within the Faculty.

2. Recruit, coordinate, supervise and mentor tutors and teaching assistants involved in the delivery and assessment of Critical Thinking courses.

3. Contribute to postgraduate academic development initiatives, including support for academic writing, critical engagement with literature and scholarly argumentation, where appropriate.

4. Work independently and collaboratively with colleagues within the ADU and across the Faculty to advance student success and academic development initiatives.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

1. A completed PhD in English Studies or a closely related field, such as English Literature, Applied English Language Studies or Linguistics.

2. Demonstrated experience in undergraduate teaching, particularly in academic literacy, critical reading, academic writing, textual analysis and critical thinking development.

3. Experience in delivering teaching in face-to-face and online learning environments, including the ability to manage large undergraduate classes of approximately 200 students.

4. Proven experience in curriculum development, course coordination, assessment design and academic administration.

5. Demonstrated understanding of interdisciplinary, Humanities-based teaching approaches and their application to the development of critical thinking.

6. Knowledge of curriculum transformation, decolonisation and inclusive teaching practices in higher education.

7. Experience in coordinating, supervising and supporting tutors or teaching assistants.

8. Excellent academic writing, communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines.

Closing date: 5th of November 2026.

Enquiries only: Further information can be obtained from Prof. Rodney Genga on Rodney.Genga@wits.ac.za. Applicants are requested to submit applications online on the iWits recruitment website and not directly to the Director of ADU.