Assistant Professor, Black Feminist Literary and Cultural Studies

Assistant Professor
Black Feminist Literary and Cultural Studies

About the Job

Faculty in the Department of African American & African Studies in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research or creative activity that includes publication, exhibition, or performance; develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of African American & African Studies are available at: https://faculty.umn.edu/review-recognition/tenure-review/approved-712-statements

The Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are available at: https://neighborhood.cla.umn.edu/college-knowledge/workload-principles-and-guidelines

 

Qualifications

The Department of African American & African Studies (AA&AS) at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor in Black feminist literary and cultural studies to begin Fall 2023 (August 28, 2023), pending budgetary and administrative approval. Expertise in public humanities is especially welcome.

The appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year. The appointment will be made at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor depending on qualifications and experience and consistent with collegiate and university policy.  

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. in English, Literature, African American Studies, American Studies, Cultural Studies, or a related field is required to be completed by the start date of the appointment. ABD status required for this appointment at the rank of tenure-track instructor. Instructor rank anticipates completion of the Ph.D. during the first year of the appointment. Salary is competative.

Candidates will be evaluated according to a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly work, b) relevance of their scholarly research to the department's academic priorities and fields of inquiry, c) evidence of commitment to teaching and skills as a teacher, and d) strength of recommendations.

In addition to a record of interdisciplinary scholarship, the candidate must have evidence of teaching excellence in undergraduate and/or graduate education and demonstrated commitments to enriching the understanding of aesthetics and expressive cultures in the African diaspora and Black social life through collaborative and community-engaged work.

The ideal candidate must be broadly trained in the field of African American literature and demonstrate a robust commitment to charting a Black feminist humanistic inquiry. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research is engaged with approaches to Black feminist aesthetic practices, literary traditions, and expressive cultures that reimagine the humanities. Candidates with abilities to draw connections between continental Africans and Africans in the diaspora through the integration of the study of arts and the humanities are also desirable.

About the Department

Established in 1969, AA&AS is a distinct and dynamic academic unit in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) committed to multidisciplinary research, teaching, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of ways of knowing that are fashioned out of the rigorous study of Africans, African Americans, and African descended people and their contributions to society, history, culture, literature, and arts. Our graduate minor in Africa and the African diaspora attracts students enrolled in Ph.D. and master’s programs within and beyond CLA. We also offer two African languages, Swahili and Somali. Our faculty members are award-winning teachers and engaged scholars advancing community-based learning and outreach initiatives.

 

About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social science and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1200 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 14,000 undergraduate students, half of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, and over 1,600 graduate students and has an annual all-funds budget of over $250 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

 

Working in CLA

 

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
  • University HSA contributions
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance
  • Employee wellbeing program
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
  • Financial counseling services
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

 

How to Apply

Please visit our careers site to complete your application

DIRECTIONS:

1. Select the link to access our careers site: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/351335

2. Sign In to access your account, or if you are not an existing user, select the New User link to create one.

3. Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

Applications must be submitted online.  Please click the Apply button to be considered for this position and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.  Units may request additional materials, including research and teaching statements, letters of recommendation, publications, etc., at the time of the initial online application or later submission to the department, depending on department practice and disciplinary norms.

The following documents must be attached to your online application: (1) A cover letter; (2) A curriculum vitae; (3) One article-length writing sample or the equivalent; and (4) a brief statement of teaching philosophy to show evidence of teaching effectiveness.

In addition to the required documents submitted through the U of M employment system, applicants are also asked to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be emailed separately to aaashire@umn.edu.

Applications are considered complete when all materials, including letters of recommendation, have been received. Additional materials may be requested from candidates at a future date.

Review of applications will begin 01 October 2022, and continue until the search is concluded. Applications received by 15 October, 2022, have the best chance of being fully considered.

For questions about the position, please contact the Department of African American & African Studies at aaashire@umn.edu.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

 

The University recognizes and values diversity and inclusion in enriching its employees' employment experience and supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

 

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  http://diversity.umn.edu.

 

Please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647) to request accommodation during the application process.

 

Background Check Information

 

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. We presume that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

 

About the U of M

 

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.  Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.


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