Visiting Assistant Professor of Comparative American Studies

The Comparative American Studies Department at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time non-continuing faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences. Appointment to this position will be for a term of two semesters, beginning Fall 2021, and will carry the rank of Visiting Assistant Professor.

Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a private four-year, selective liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the US to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into PhD programs.

Comparative American studies (CAS) examines the range and diversity of experiences, identities, and communities within the United States. Through interdisciplinary study, students study and explore social, political, economic, and cultural processes relating to the ways power and inequality are created and contested, and consider the United States locally, nationally, and within a global context. By placing the United States in a transnational and comparative framework, the program invites students to consider the relationship of different communities to the nation-state, ranging from issues of colonialism and empire building to social justice movements.

The incumbent will teach a total of five courses in the general area of Latinx Studies. Responsibilities will also include teaching Introduction to American Studies and electives from the introductory to advanced levels. Desired specializations and subfields include, but are not limited to, Afro and Indigenous Latinidades, comparative approaches to race and ethnicity; gender and sexuality; and social science methods.

Among the qualifications required for appointment is the Ph.D. degree (in hand or expected by August 2021). Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable. Oberlin College is committed to student and faculty diversity, equity and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.

To apply, candidates should visit the online application site found at https://jobs.oberlin.edu. A complete application will be comprised of 1) a Cover Letter describing your teaching and scholarship, detailing proposed courses (including how you would teach Introduction to American Studies) and connections to supporting an inclusive learning environment; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) a writing sample; 4) a statement detailing your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; 5) an unofficial graduate transcript; and 6) Letters of Reference from three (3) recommenders.* All application materials must be submitted electronically through Oberlin College and Conservatory’s online application process at: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/

*By providing three (3) professional references (names and email addresses), you agree that we may contact them through our applicant web portal. Reference writers will be asked to submit an electronic letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.

Review of applications will begin on February 15th, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Completed applications received by the February 15 deadline will be guaranteed full consideration.

Questions about the position can be addressed to: Shelley Lee, Chair of Comparative American Studies, at shelee@oberlin.edu or 440-775-5159