Church History Professor

UNION PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARY

Faculty Position Description (Tenure Track)

History (Assistant or Associate Rank)

Mission Statement

Union Presbyterian Seminary equips people in the ways of Jesus to witness, teach, and live into the movement of God’s Reign through their ministry in the church and world—a sacred vocation that requires deep learning, commitment to service, and an ability to read cultures and circumstances in the light of the rich resources of Scripture and theological tradition. 

Areas of Responsibility

Union Presbyterian Seminary invites applications and nominations for the position of Assistant or Associate Professor of American Religious History and Mission (tenure-track), to serve primarily on our Charlotte, North Carolina campus. The seminary seeks a historian who has expertise in American Christianity, plus research interests in mission-related topics, such as diaspora Christianity, religion of the enslaved, or indigenous expressions of the Christian tradition. Beyond teaching specialized courses, the successful candidate will be expected to teach general courses on historical topics from the Reformation to the contemporary moment. The successful candidate holds a Ph.D. or comparable degree in History, Religion, or a related field.

While based in Charlotte, the candidate will be expected to teach courses on both the Richmond and Charlotte campuses, as well as across all degree programs and platforms, and through in-person, hybrid, and distance formats. The person will be expected to make significant scholarly contributions to the field through research and writing and participate in appropriate academic guilds. The new faculty member will share in the administrative work expected of a full-time faculty member (academic advising responsibilities, collaboration with colleagues, program assessment, and the like). Recognizing the continued relevance of American religious history to our contemporary situation, the person will be actively involved in the work of our Centers while serving as a seminary resource to congregations, denominational entities, and other relevant public institutions.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or comparable degree in History, Religion, or a related field
• Expertise in American Christianity as well as knowledge of American mission history especially as related to traditionally marginalized peoples
• Experience teaching American history and introductory historical courses
• Digital literacy and experience with technology-based teaching and learning
• Conversant in current theories and scholarship in their field as well as public theology
• Engaged in scholarly practices that affirm diversity in age, race, ethnicity, gender, theological perspective, and culture
• Committed to theological education that values diversity and the life and witness of the church in an interreligious and intercultural world
• Familiarity with the theology, polity, and practices of Reformed traditions, especially the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Union Presbyterian Seminary is a graduate educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and an EO/AA employer committed to increasing the gender, racial-ethnic, and international and cultural diversity in its faculty and student body. Therefore, candidates of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply as the seminary strives to increase the diversity of its faculty to achieve its strategic goals.

Letters of application, including a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of three references, should be addressed to Richard Boyce, Vice President and Academic Dean, Charlotte Campus, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 5141 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC, 28210 rboyce@upsem.edu. Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled.