Libman Professor of the Humanities

Hood College seeks applicants for the Sophia M. Libman National Endowment for the Humanities Professor with a disciplinary focus in art history/museum studies. The Libman Professor will come to Hood for a visiting, three-year appointment, teaching a reduced course load (1/2 in the first year, 2/2 in the remaining years) and planning and managing the yearly NEH Center for the Humanities Colloquium, a series of public and educational events organized around a particular interdisciplinary theme each year.

The Sophia M. Libman Professorship is an ideal position for a beginning scholar whose interdisciplinary interests include a strong commitment to the humanities and teaching. The Libman Professor’s rank and salary are equivalent to those of a beginning assistant professor. Employment begins in August 2023; the PhD must be completed by that time.

We seek candidates with interest and experience in teaching and developing new courses on topic and issues in art history/museum studies, as well as courses that connect the visual arts to other academic disciplines. Region and period of specialization is open, but preference will be given to candidates with an interdisciplinary, globally-inclusive approach to the field, whose teaching and scholarly interests include one or more of the following: museology/museum studies, visual/material culture studies, media studies, and/or public art. The successful candidate will develop/teach courses that expand on the existing Public History program and foster institutional relationships with the region's rich community of museums and cultural institutions.

The Libman Professor will teach one of the art history introductory survey courses (antiquity through the Renaissance), and other upper division and interdisciplinary courses. The successful candidate may also have the opportunity to teach courses in Hood’s Honors Program as well as to contribute to Hood’s graduate program in the Humanities by teaching an occasional graduate course. However, the majority of courses taught will be offered at the undergraduate level.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered, liberal arts institution.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Teaching

• Will teach a wide range of undergraduate courses in museum studies, art history, and related areas
• Will be an excellent, enthusiastic teacher and take a generalist approach to their subject matter, developing multiple teaching specialties.
• Will maintain an annual teaching load of 3 courses (1/2) in the first year and 4 courses per year (2/2) in the remaining years.
• Will mentor students individually on projects such as honors papers, independent studies, graduate portfolios and internships.
• Will develop new courses and teach existing courses. May also teach occasional graduate courses in the interdisciplinary Humanities MA program and interdisciplinary undergraduate courses in such programs as Honors and the First-Year Seminar program.

Scholarship

• Will maintain an active program of scholarly research, writing, and appropriate publication.

Service and Program Development

• Will take an active role on the Humanities Council and will plan, budget and manage the annual Humanities Colloquium.
• Will serve as an enthusiastic and effective promoter of the humanities to diverse constituents.
• Will serve as an active, involved academic advisor and mentor to philosophy majors and other students.
• Will share in the governance of the department and the College and participate in student recruitment.
• Will consistently attend faculty and department meetings and serve occasionally on committees.

Education and/or Experience

• An earned Ph.D. in art history/museum studies or related field is required by August 2023.
• Evidence of college-level instructional experience and potential for teaching excellence are required.
• Experience in cultural event organizing is strongly desired.
• Experience in a liberal arts setting is a plus.

Technology Skills

• Proficiency in office productivity suite software (such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint), e-mail, social media, and web.
• Ability to use available instructional technology resources to enhance effective teaching (including, but not limited to, use of smart classroom technology, PowerPoint, etc).

Other Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate will be able to:

• plan courses, assignments, and events efficiently and effectively;
• organize, present, and explain information clearly;
• work with students of differing backgrounds and abilities;
• advise and mentor students at different stages of their college careers;
• evaluate student progress accurately and fairly; and
• work successfully as a member of a small department.

How to Apply

Please read the following application instructions carefully.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online via our electronic application by submitting the following materials:

• Cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position, including organizational skills and ability to oversee the Humanities Colloquium, as well as a list of classes that you would be prepared to teach (or would be interested in developing) in art history or for interdisciplinary programs, such as the Honors Program or First-Year Seminar Program
• Curriculum vitae
• Three confidential letters of recommendation. The candidate should arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted electronically to stipelman@hood.edu .
• For best consideration, apply by January 25, 2023.

If you need assistance with the on-line application process, please email humanresources@hood.edu or call (301) 696-3592.

Hood College is committed to diversity in its faculty and staff and subscribes to a policy of hiring only individuals legally eligible to work in the United States. EOE/AAP/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD. 21701 (AD 312), (301) 696-3592. For complete information on Hood College’s nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/