Assistant Professor in Black Studies and Literary Studies

The Department of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies (CRES) and the Department of English at Augsburg University invite applications for a full-time tenure-track joint appointment in Black Studies and Literary Studies at the Assistant Professor level.

CRES was founded in 2021 as part of Augsburg's commitment to address and promote racial equity and social justice within our curriculum. The Department of English advances the study of composition, creative writing, and literature, and includes a low-residency Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing.

We welcome applicants who can contribute to the missions of both departments by combining teaching excellence with scholarly expertise in Black and Afro-diasporic experiences and literature. We are particularly interested in scholars working on critical race theory, postcolonial literary studies, abolitionist theory, Black feminist thought, Black queer studies, and/or Black visual cultures, and/or those who do community-based research or other related critical research methodologies. The successful candidate should be comfortable teaching introductory to advanced literature classes or be a poet or creative nonfiction writer capable of leading writing workshops.

This tenure-track position has a load of six courses per year on a nine-month (two semesters) schedule, typically a combination of courses ranging from introductory to advanced, including intro CRES courses and one first-year composition course. This is a full-time tenure track position with a 9-month service, scheduled to begin August 2025. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. or international equivalent in African American Studies, American Studies, Cultural Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, or other related fields is required for this position. ABD candidates will be considered if the doctorate will be completed by August 2025. 

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include, but are not limited to, demonstrated teaching excellence (through materials such as evaluations or teaching portfolios), experience mentoring students, and potential for collaboration and productive scholarship/creative pursuits.

Application Information

To apply, go to https://www.augsburg.edu/hr/ and then “Faculty Employment,” to find the link to this position.

Applicants should upload these materials:

• CV 

• Cover Letter, including diversity statement

• Teaching portfolio, including a teaching statement/philosophy, one or more sample syllabi, teaching evaluations (if available)

• Research statement

• Copy of graduate transcripts

• Three professional references

If your application advances in this search, you will be asked to send three letters of recommendation prior to your interview date. The candidate who fills this position will need to provide official transcripts at time of hire. 

Application review will begin on October 21, 2024. To be guaranteed consideration, all materials should be submitted by that date. The position will remain open until filled.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact: Andy Aoki (aoki@augsburg.edu).

About Augsburg University

Augsburg University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees to approximately 3,400 students of diverse backgrounds. The trademark of an Augsburg education is its emphasis on direct, personal experience. Guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.

Among the distinctive features of Augsburg University are its deep dedication to civic and community engagement, robust undergraduate research programs, and a strong belief in the integration of liberal arts and professional studies across all programs. The University’s commitments to our urban context and the world beyond it are enhanced through the work of four signature centers:  the Christensen Center for Vocation, the Center for Global Education and Experience, the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. All faculty members are encouraged to develop significant, experiential learning opportunities in collaboration with one or more of these centers through curricular and co-curricular programming in our main campus in Minneapolis, as well as our satellite site in Rochester, MN, and academic centers in Central America and Southern Africa. Faculty members also design and offer Study-Away programs across all fifty states.

For more than a decade, Augsburg’s commitment to intentional diversity has been reflected in the student body. Today, Black, Indigenous and other students of color comprise approximately 60% of the undergraduate Day population. The emerging interdisciplinary department of Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies builds on this foundation to further diversify our academic curriculum and co-curricular programs. We do this work out of historical and contemporary obligations rooted in our ethical and intellectual commitments to prepare our diverse student body for a cosmopolitan world.

We believe that education is the key to healthy, meaningful and productive lives for individuals, as well as to the vibrancy of our democracy. Augsburg University is dedicated to achieving an educational experience free from the barriers of poverty, racism, and discrimination so that students can fully realize their unique gifts. Recognizing that higher education's democratic promise is compromised by systemic and systematic barriers to college access and completion, Augsburg is called to stand for equity in everything we do to fulfill our academic mission, serve our students and engage our fellow citizens.

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class. Successful candidates will have demonstrated abilities working in an academic community committed to intentional diversity. Candidates are thus encouraged to highlight skills and experiences that demonstrate these competencies.  Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 612-330-1058, or email: hr@augsburg.edu.