Assistant Professor in American Religions

The Department of Religious Studies at Occidental College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in American Religions to begin Fall 2019. The new hire will teach five courses per year (with a reduced four-course load in the first year), will have an active research agenda, and will contribute to department and College service. We welcome applications from scholars specializing in any religious tradition(s). 

Applicants should have some training in Religious Studies and hold a Ph.D. by the time of appointment. Strong candidates will be able to teach a wide variety of courses attractive to liberal arts students, with preference given to applicants who could teach a course in African-American religions, African-Caribbean religions, American religion and race, or a related subject. A preference will be given to applicants who would add to the theoretical and methodological breadth of current department faculty, to applicants whose Religious Studies courses could be cross-listed with other departments on campus (e.g., Black Studies, American Studies, Sociology, History, etc.), and to applicants who have interest in developing a course on religion in Los Angeles. Applicants should be able to teach the department’s rotation of core courses (a theories/methods course and the course that guides majors through their senior thesis research and writing) and should be able to contribute to the College’s first-year seminar program (CSP). Strong candidates will be thoughtful in their pedagogical approaches, will seek continually to improve their teaching, and will possess a record of, or potential for, teaching excellence. Strong candidates will also possess a record of, or potential for, strong scholarship, and will be equipped to participate in departmental planning and leadership. 

The Department of Religious Studies and Occidental College are committed to supporting the academic excellence of our diverse student body. We actively seek applicants equipped to advance our mission in their teaching, scholarship, and/or service. 

Occidental College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law. We strongly encourage all underrepresented candidates, especially women scholars and scholars of color, to apply. 

Applicants should submit the following materials—as separate files—to rels@oxy.edu: (1) a cover letter describing your interest in Occidental (a liberal arts institution with a mission of equity and excellence), your teaching experience, your scholarship, and the theoretical and/or methodological approach(es) of your teaching and research; (2) a list and brief descriptions of a range of courses you could teach at Occidental (both courses of your own design and courses already in our department catalog, which are linked from our website); (3) a teaching philosophy that includes a discussion of your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable learning environments, especially for underrepresented students; (4) a sample syllabus for an introductory course on African-American religions, African-Caribbean religions, American religion and race, or a related subject; and (5) Curriculum Vitae. Applicants should arrange to have three confidential letters of reference, at least one of which speaks to teaching experience and/or potential, submitted to rels@oxy.edu. All application materials are due by 5pm PST on September 13, 2018 (with much appreciation to applicants who submit their materials well before the deadline). 

Candidates selected for the semi-finalist round will be asked to submit additional materials: evidence of teaching effectiveness (student evaluations, peer teaching reviews, teaching awards, etc.) and a sample of scholarly writing. Semi-finalists will be contacted in mid-October, with semi-finalist interviews being held via videoconference in mid-November.   

Inquires about the position or about the Religious Studies department can be directed to the search committee Chair, Prof. Kristi Upson-Saia at upsonsaia@oxy.edu.