Chair, Department of Classics and Philosophy

Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for the position of chair of the Department of Classics and Philosophy at the full professor rank beginning August 2022.  This full-time tenure-track faculty position is a 9-month appointment and carries a 2-2 teaching load (4 credit hour courses).

Qualified candidates will hold an earned Ph.D. in Philosophy or a related field from and institutionally accredited college or university (or equivalent) that includes significant course work and research in philosophy.  Successful candidates will have a demonstrated record of outstanding teaching, possess an impressive scholarly record, be able to teach a variety of ethics courses and be an astute and persuasive advocate of the Humanities (in particular, philosophy and classics) as a central academic pursuit in the university and as valuable to the intellectual, vocational, and spiritual maturation of students. The successful candidate will teach lower and upper level Philosophy courses, interdisciplinary courses in the University’s Core Program, and courses in the Science and Religion Program, which is housed in the Department of Classics and Philosophy. Duties also include mentoring and advising of students as well as service to the department, college, and university. 

Chair responsibilities include scheduling courses, managing curriculum assessment, evaluating faculty, overseeing the departmental budget, and providing vision for the program.  These tasks as chair are in addition to the expectations of all faculty:  teaching courses across the entire undergraduate curriculum, advising students, and providing departmental, college, university, and professions service. A stipend for this position is included that will be paid over the entire academic year and will cover any duties and responsibilities related to the summer.

Candidates must possess a teaching, research and academic record commensurate with full professor rank in Samford University’s Department of Classics and Philosophy. 

Samford University (www.samford.edu) is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in suburban Birmingham, the University was founded in 1841 and has 425 full time faculty and more than 5,700 students representing 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 22 countries. Samford has been nationally recognized for academics, affordability and value by a number of prestigious publications and rankings. The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford 1st nationally for student engagement and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Samford 34th among private universities in the U.S. for value and affordability. The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting.  The University offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package.

Application deadline will be November 20, 2021, and review of applications will begin on that date. Please submit the following documents:  1) an application letter that includes statement of teaching philosophy and experience and a description of research interests and activities, 2) a curriculum vitae with contact information of three references, 3) evidence of teaching effectiveness, 4) an application for faculty position, and 5) the faculty applicant Christian mission statement.  (The application and the Christian mission statement are available at the links below).  Academic rank and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience.  The successful candidate must pass a background check.  Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor employment visas for this position.  Samford University and Howard College of Arts and Sciences embrace diversity in their faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community.

Applicants must complete an “Application for Faculty Position” (https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty-employment.pdf)

and the “Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement”

(https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant-Christian-Mission-Statement.docx).

Please submit all materials in a single PDF format to:

FACAPP@samford.edu                                                     Questions should be addressed to:

Subject: Chair, Classics and Philosophy                             Dr. Dennis Sansom, Chair, Philosophy Department

                                                                                     dlsansom@samford.edu

Except as specifically exempted by federal law requirements, Samford University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability or age in the administration or application of its educational programs and policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs. Consistent with its Christian mission and organizations, Samford is exempt from the religious provisions of Title VII pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 2000e-1(a) and 2000e-2(e).