This book provides a comprehensive guide to the role of the academic department chair in a time when the chair's role is rapidly becoming more important and more complex. Part 1 describes the new roles chairs face, followed by a general discussion of their responsibilities. Part 2 is concerned with the department chair's work with people, including faculty, students, and department staff. Specific topics cover faculty, staff, and student recruitment; faculty work and workload; and faculty development and evaluation of department members. Part 3 is about the chair's operational responsibilities for the department. Individual chapters discuss the department as a collectivity; curriculum, pedagogy, and student advising; resource management; and strategic planning. Part 4 explores the chair's roles and responsibilities in connecting with audiences beyond the department. Emphasis is on bridging the chasm that often exists between administration and faculty. Individual chapters focus on the chair and the dean, legal issues for chairs, evaluating the department, and the chair and external audiences. (Individual chapters contain references.) (DB)