Election for the Academic Curriculum Advisory Committee

Dr. Joe Cutbirth has an extensive background in interdisciplinary education and service, with 22 years at research universities across the United States and Canada. He teaches in the communication studies, journalism and communication leadership programs at Moody College of Communication, and has directed honors theses for the College of Natural Sciences and UT Plan 2 program. He has extensive experience with UT’s Flag system, serving on the university committee for the Independent Inquiry Flag and actively teaching courses that carry flags for ethics, writing, independent inquiry, and cultural diversity in the United States. He is a member of the 2024 UT Provost Teaching Fellows cohort and a past member of the UT Faculty Welfare Committee and the Gender Equity Council.

I have been involved in a range of curricular initiatives over the past decade, including the Flags and Signature Course program in UGS, online education initiatives, the Educational Policy Committee, and the creation of the Provost Teaching Fellows. In my role on the Faculty Executive Committee I am currently chairing the C3 committee (undergraduate curriculum). We find ourselves in a moment when faculty control of curriculum is under attack; and when it is especially important that we exercise as much influence as we can to maintain academic freedom for all instructors.

I am a newly promoted associate professor of instruction with a 50/50 appointment in Slavic & Eurasian Studies and Religious Studies. I have a longstanding interest in curriculum and with significant experience in grad and undergrad course development as well as departmental assessment. My research focuses on religious culture in Central and Eastern Europe with a recent focus on religion and the far right. Finally, because my education background includes a bachelor's and master's in piano performance as well as an MA and PhD in area studies, I have some first-hand perspective on cross-college curricular requirements.

I am an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Communication Studies Department at Moody  College, where I also teach in the Communication and Leadership Program.  I also have taught for Plan II and the Bridging Disciplines Program, where I am faculty panel co-chair for the Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies Certificate.  I am also a Faculty Council member representing Moody and serve on the Writing Flags Committee.  I would be honored to be able to leverage my experience and expertise to strengthen our academic curriculum.

I currently direct two undergraduate degree plans: Asian American Studies and Race Indigeneity and Migration (RIM). I have previously served as Associate Chair of AADS, where I directed undergraduate studies. I worked/consulted with the Acamdemic Curriculum Advisory Committee when creating the RIM major in 2018.