In the field of theology, the intellectual life reveals itself in forms including conference presentations, book reviews, critical editions and translations of theological materials accompanied by critical introductions and commentary, articles in scholarly journals, chapters in books, and books. In the evaluation for Tenure and Promotion, conference papers and book reviews without other forms of work demonstrating the intellectual habit are not sufficient for the promotion and tenure.  The outlet for such publications, although normally in peer-reviewed journals, should be recognizable as serious and respectable by colleagues and experts in the theological discipline. For example, published writings that are intended for a general and lay audience and/or lack serious academic rigor (e.g., spiritual reflections, opinion pieces, etc.) may have value as service but not as serious scholarship.  

 

Normally the department chair is responsible for evaluating a faculty members merits, but the chair can also solicit his/her colleagues or, when deemed appropriate and necessary, an external peer reviewer in the same discipline to review the faculty members’s publications.  

 

Candidates for associate professor and tenure should have a consistent record of scholarly engagement, with a minimum of two peer-reviewed publications or a book. Candidates for full professor should have demonstrated ongoing engagement after the attainment of associate professor, with a minimum of one book since appointment as associate professor.