Advanced Assistant/Associate Professor in Africana Studies

Advanced Assistant/Associate Professor in Africana Studies

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R07256

The Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Cultural Studies (CRGCS) in the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts and Humanities at Simmons University in Boston invites applications for a tenure-stream appointment at the advanced assistant or associate level in Africana Studies to begin July 1, 2021. The successful candidate will have expertise in African American/Black Studies and enthusiasm for the work of building a high-quality interdisciplinary program. They will have a record of excellence in teaching, strong scholarship, and leadership potential. We seek a colleague who understands the historic and contemporary African American experience and who is well-versed in critical race studies to provide intellectual leadership in this generative moment of building an intersectional department. We expect this colleague to move into the chair position of the department of Critical Race, Gender, and Cultural Studies in the near term.

Simmons University's Program in Africana Studies dates back to 1972, offers a major and minor, and is now housed in the newly constituted Department of Critical Race, Gender, and Cultural Studies. The Department is designed to create an institutional home for interdisciplinary inquiry and it houses four allied undergraduate programs in Africana Studies, Asian Studies, Migration Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies, as well as a Master's program in Gender and Cultural Studies. Taken together, these programs express Simmons's commitment to understanding the power of culture to shape identities, lived experiences, inequities, and opportunities.

The standard load for tenure-stream faculty at Simmons is six courses per year with scholarly and service expectations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Taking on a leadership role in Africana Studies working with Department Chair and affiliated faculty to oversee curriculum and student advising.
  
• Teach a range of courses at multiple levels in Africana Studies. All faculty are also expected to contribute to the general education curriculum - the Simmons PLAN.
  
• Depending on the scholar's field of expertise, there will be opportunities to teach courses in an additional discipline or interdisciplinary programs.
  
• Collaborate with other programs and departments in the college and serve on university committees.
  
• Engage in scholarly work related to Africana Studies and the African Diaspora.
  

Qualifications: include a Ph.D. in African American/Black Studies or a related humanities field with a focus on African American/Black Studies; a demonstrated potential for a record of professional work and/or scholarly publications and college teaching experience meriting tenure at Simmons; and a demonstrated potential for leadership. We seek a candidate rooted in the humanities, focused in fields such as literature, media, gender studies, philosophy, history, and/or cultural studies.

Required Application Materials:

Application review will begin on January 15, 2021, and will continue until filled. To apply, submit the following materials online at jobs.simmons.edu:

• a cover letter describing interest in the position, teaching experience and philosophy, research interests, commitment to diversity, and experience leading programs or events;
  
• current curriculum vitae with list of courses taught; and list of three references.
  

Letters of recommendation will be requested only for short-listed candidates. Please address any questions to Dr. Dawna M. Thomas, Chair of Search Committee, Professor in Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies, dawna.thomas@simmons.edu.

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the "Resume/CV" box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.


To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Advanced-Assistant-Associate-Professor-in-Africana-Studies_R07256

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.