Assistant Professor of Classical and Medieval Studies

The Program in Classical and Medieval Studies, in conjunction with the Department of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies, seeks a tenure-track colleague in ancient Greek cultures and literatures, covering any span from the Archaic to Hellenistic periods (800 BCE – 200 CE). This position begins in August 2025. We envision a scholar whose research and teaching focus on the construction of alterity—therefore race, power, privilege, and colonialism in ancient Greek texts across genres such as medicine, drama, poetry, political and forensic oratory, ethnography, and philosophy. The successful candidate considers post-classical and contemporary receptions of ancient Greek cultures and literatures as they are mediated through texts, broadly conceived, and screens, including film and television narratives and/or digital media, with a view to these same questions. 

We seek a candidate who possesses experience in or a demonstrated commitment to

• researching and teaching about disparities of power (race, gender, and status) in ancient Greek cultures and literatures and the impact of ancient ideas in the modern world
• developing an anti-racist curriculum and teaching underrepresented groups
• teaching ancient Greek language classes at introductory and advanced levels
• maintaining an active and extensive research agenda beyond the dissertation 

The successful candidate will teach five courses a year in Greek cultures and literatures, of which two center on ancient language instruction. All five courses may range from beginning to advanced levels and reflect the individual’s interests. While the tenure-track line will be housed in Classical and Medieval Studies, the successful candidate will teach at least one course each year that fulfills Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies requirements and advise theses across units as appropriate. Candidates should complete all requirements for the Ph.D. by the start of the contract. 

Bates students represent a wide range of interests, experiences, and identities, and we are committed to each student’s success. Therefore, we seek a candidate with skills and experience educating a diverse student body; those with at least one year of full-time teaching are especially encouraged to apply. We seek a colleague committed to building strong and varied learning communities in our related fields on campus.

Bates College, a residential liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine—a diverse and growing community located roughly 45 minutes from the state’s largest city, Portland, with easy access to the state’s lakes, parks, beaches, and mountains—is committed to its Non-Discrimination Policy because educational access and racial justice are central to its history and mission. Faculty-led initiatives and institutional resources for faculty reflect this commitment. Start-up packages, internal grants, and a well-staffed external grants office support faculty scholarship and creative work. The Harward Center for Community Partnerships facilitates community-engaged pedagogy; the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning supports pedagogical development and innovation; and the Center for Global Education provides resources for faculty-led courses abroad.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2024. Applications should include a cover letter (including a brief overview of scholarly work and a list of potential courses) and a curriculum vitae (including a list of referees). A teaching statement describing how the candidate meets Bates’ standards of excellence in terms of inclusive and evidence-based pedagogies and a research statement describing the current and future promise of the candidate’s professional work are required. These statements should be roughly two pages each. Applicants should anticipate providing a sample of their written work and three letters of recommendation if they are contacted for a Zoom interview.

We encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized groups and from those who may have followed non-traditional pathways to higher education due to social, economic, or academic circumstances. Because the college recognizes that employment decisions often involve two careers, Bates welcomes applications for shared positions. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and the verification of degrees.