Instructor of American Studies and Humanities

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) invites applications for two (2) full-time Instructors of American Studies and Humanities at its Durham campus. Positions are 10-month, permanent-track positions with full benefits through the State of North Carolina. 

NCSSM  and the Department of Humanities foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse applicant pool for this position. NCSSM is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we are strongly committed to increasing faculty and staff diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu. 

Founded in 1980, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a state-supported residential and online high school for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent or interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Since the school’s inception, the humanities and fine arts have been an integral part of an NCSSM education and have played a key role in helping the institution fulfill its mission to cultivate a new generation of informed, empathetic, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders.

The positions are full-time, ten-month appointments in the Department of Humanities at the NCSSM-Durham campus, with full benefits through the State of North Carolina. The positions report to one of the Chairs of Humanities, NCSSM-Durham. The primary teaching responsibility is providing instruction in American Studies, taken by all NCSSM juniors, in which students earn graduation credit in both history and English. A secondary teaching responsibility is providing instruction in senior-level literature, cultural studies, and humanities interdisciplinary courses, all with an emphasis on critical reading, critical thinking, and academic writing. The expected teaching assignment for each position is three course sections per semester—usually two sections of American Studies and one section of a senior course, such as African Studies; Asian Studies; British Literature and Culture; Classical Myth: Epic and Tragedy; Latin American Studies; Literature and Philosophy in the Twentieth Century; Modern World Fiction; Research in the Humanities; Shakespeare Now; Southern Studies; STEM and the Stage; courses focused on Western European cultures; and various topics courses. Interdisciplinary humanities electives include Black Studies; Creative Writing, Critical Race Theory; Digital Humanities; Ecocriticism; Film Studies; Topics in the Study of Religion; Twenty-first Century Media Studies; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. 

Humanities Faculty are responsible for developing and teaching innovative and engaging humanities curricula, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies, in NCSSM’s residential and highly interactive online programs. Faculty should plan on playing an enthusiastic role with colleagues across all campuses of the school in ongoing conversations and collaborations (including the possibility of team-teaching) about ideas, goals, pedagogical methods, and authentic assessments in NCSSM’s teaching and learning environment. 

Other responsibilities include:

Develop and communicate to students clear course objectives and goals;  Plan and develop an instructional program that helps students assimilate specific course content and skills;  Hold office hours and tutorial sessions as outlined by the Department of Humanities;  Regularly monitor and evaluate students’ progress, providing them with resources and feedback on their performance;  Structure and manage an environment conducive to learning;  Model for students responsibility to self and others;  Follow the school’s philosophy, policies, and procedures;  Participate in departmental, faculty, and staff meetings;  Serve on departmental, faculty, and school-wide standing committees;  Write recommendations for as many as 15 students each year, as requested;  Serve as a January-Term sponsor;  Participate in professional development and personal intellectual growth activities;  Participate in one or more of the following activities:
Provide information, service, and expertise to other schools and organizations;  Assist students with special projects, independent and individual study, and seminar-based studies;  Participate in the NCSSM admissions process by recruiting, selecting, and advising prospective students;  Participate in NCSSM alumni activities;  Provide assistance for school-sponsored programs and extracurricular activities.