Assistant Professor of African American Studies

The Department of English and the Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at St. Olaf College invite applications for a full-time, tenure track position in the field of African American Studies with specializations in Black Feminisms and literary and cultural studies at the Assistant Professor level to begin August 2023.

The successful applicant will teach six undergraduate courses per year at all levels with a regular commitment of three courses in the English Department and three courses in REGSS. In REGSS, the successful applicant will teach courses at all levels in two distinct programs, both of which have long histories at St. Olaf: Race and Ethic Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies. In the English Department, the successful applicant will teach courses in African American literature, as well as other courses in literary studies and theory that match the hire’s research and teaching experience. Candidates with the ability to teach transnational or diasporic courses or courses that incorporate or focus on other regions of the world such as Africa and the Caribbean are especially encouraged to apply.
 

Qualifications:

Candidates with a Ph.D. in English, Black Studies, Africana Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Queer Studies or a related discipline are encouraged to apply.

About the Department:

St. Olaf’s newly formed department of Race, Ethnic, Gender and Sexuality Studies houses two academic programs—Race and Ethnic Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies—each with its own curriculum. Backed by 100 years of combined curricular strength and interdisciplinary innovation, RACE and GSS share commitments to critical indigenous studies, critical race and ethnicities theories, feminist critique, intersectionality, lived experiences, postcoloniality and decolonial knowledge production, and queer and critical masculinities critique.

For many years, the English Department has been at the center of the college’s commitments to the liberal arts and interdisciplinary research and education. The English Department offers three majors: an English major, a modified version of the English major for students who are pursuing a teaching license (at the middle and high school level), and a recently introduced major in creative writing. Each year, 40-60 St. Olaf students graduate with one of our majors, making us one of the most popular departments on campus by that measure. Our recently revised major requirements balance our commitment to offering students flexibility in choosing an individual path through the major with our commitments to antiracism (in part via a new antiracism requirement—a requirement that students take at least one course that centers on antiracist pedagogy and that includes an examination of the ways in which literature and literary history has been shaped by institutional racism within the field) and to fostering a global perspective on contemporary literature and literary history. 

Diversity:

At St. Olaf, we are committed to equity and inclusion. We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity—gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age—to the Hill each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

How to Apply:

A complete application includes:
1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Diversity statement (200-500 word limit): Describe how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at our college through your teaching, research, and/or service. Include examples of your contributions when possible.
4. Writing Sample: A writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages that represents your scholarship in the area of Black Feminisms.
5. Evidence of Teaching Excellence: Individual course evaluations and/or summative documents that provide insight into your teaching, ideally in more than one course that is relevant to the position.
6. Statement of Teaching Philosophy: A statement that offers insight into your pedagogical methods, values, and ambitions (1000 word limit)
7. Transcript(s) - Graduate (unofficial is acceptable)
8. The contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship (St. Olaf solicits letters directly after an initial round of screening.)

Review of applications will begin on October 17, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by that date will receive fullest consideration. Finalist interviews are expected in January.

Questions about the position, department, or College may be directed to Professor Anthony Bateza, Search Committee Chair, at tt2023aas@stolaf.edu.

Who We Are:

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff employees. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, restored, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.

The college offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 9% company retirement match, company monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, company contributions to eligible employee’s health savings account, significant tuition discount (up to 80% off) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employee’s children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of benefit offerings, see the summary of the benefits program here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire. 

St. Olaf College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (medical and religious exemptions may apply). To be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you need to have received the COVID-19 vaccination dose(s), plus a COVID-19 booster shot before your start date, or within two weeks of eligibility for a booster.

A link to our DEI page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/

A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483

An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/

An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/

 

For Staff Application Assistance:
employment@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068

For Faculty Application Assistance:
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356

Title IX Contact Information:
Kari Hohn, Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity
1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Tomson Hall 144
Northfield, MN 55057
507-786-3465
khohn@stolaf.edu


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