Job Opportunities

Assistant Professor in Religions in the Americas

Tracking Code: 004283

Job Description

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Denver is a vibrant department of eight productive, nationally recognized scholar-teachers who have attracted a growing cadre of undergraduate majors, double majors and graduate students in the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences (CAHSS). It is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, in full accord with the value that DU places on Inclusive Excellence. Ours is a high-profile department in the oldest independent university in the Rocky Mountain region, which describes itself as a great private university dedicated to the public good. DU enrolls over 11,000 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The Carnegie Foundation classifies DU as a research university with higher research activity. Our department offers BA and MA degrees in Religious Studies, and we are core contributors to the Joint Doctoral Program in the Study of Religion, which the University of Denver shares with the Iliff School of Theology.

Position Summary

The Department of Religious Studies invites applications for a tenure-track position: Assistant Professor in Religions in the Americas, effective September 1, 2019. The successful candidate will teach five courses per year over three quarters (autumn, winter, spring). The position is benefitted and the salary competitive. The doctorate must be completed prior to appointment; ABDs who cannot provide proof of a scheduled defense date should not apply. Degree may be from religious studies or any relevant department with religious studies training. The ideal candidate should be able to offer courses that contextualize American religious traditions, experiences and practices. Most courses should be accessible and appealing to undergraduate students who represent a broad range of majors, with no background in the subject. Some upper-level courses will be open to a mix of advanced undergraduate and entry-level MA students. Lower-level undergraduate courses will normally fulfill University requirements toward the core curriculum. The Department is particularly interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to our diversity and to the advancement of inclusive excellence through their teaching, research and service. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to integrate content and issues relating to, and to work effectively with, ethnically/racially diverse populations. We are particularly interested in candidates with research interests in African-American/African diaspora/Afro-Caribbean, Indigenous and Native, and/or Latinx religious traditions. We are also particularly interested in candidates with rigorous theoretical training, including in critical race theory and postcolonial/decolonial theory. Finally, we are also interested in candidates whose teaching and research focus on the intersections of race and religion and/or politics and religion.

Essential Functions

  • Teach five courses per year over three quarters (autumn, winter, spring) that reflect candidate’s area of specialization and attract students.
  • Teach courses that serve the University’s common (general education/core) curriculum.
  • Contribute to the Departments MA program and to the Joint Doctoral Program in the Study of Religion the University of Denver shares with the Iliff School of Theology, which includes teaching MA- and doctoral-only seminars, serving on MA and doctoral committees, and thesis/dissertation supervision.
  • Work effectively with diverse populations and implement inclusive excellence principles in the classroom.
  • Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students. Serve as a good citizen within the Department of Religious Studies, the University of Denver, and the community beyond.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to offer courses that contextualize American religious traditions, experience, and practice.
  • Ability to offer courses that attract undergraduate students in a wide variety of majors. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and experience with culturally responsive pedagogies aimed at engaging broadly diverse student populations.
  • Ability to contribute to our diversity and to the advancement of inclusive excellence through their teaching, research and service.

Required Qualifications

  • Completed Ph.D. prior to appointment (no exceptions). Degree may be from religious studies or any relevant department with religious studies training.
  • Appropriate, advanced-level language training in languages relevant to the candidate’s research and teaching.
  • Proven record of successful teaching experience during and/or after ones graduate training.
  • Strong commitment to both successful teaching and scholarship.
  • A clearly defined research and publication agenda.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Rigorous theoretical training, including in critical race theory and decolonial theory.
  • Research interests in African-American / African diaspora/Afro-Caribbean, Indigenous and Native, and/or Latinx religious traditions.
  • Teaching and research focus on the intersections of race and religion and/or politics and religion.

Application Deadline

For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) January 2, 2019

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through www.du.edu/jobs to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Once within the job description online, please scroll to the bottom of the page to apply.

Please include the following documents with your application:

  1. Letter of application (including a statement of areas of competency and interest)
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Teaching portfolio (teaching philosophy, teaching evaluations, sample syllabi, and any evidence of teacher training)
  4. Separate inclusive excellence statement – The University of Denver and the Department of Religious Studies are committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment. Applicants should acquaint themselves with our priorities and initiatives by visiting these websites: http://www.du.edu/diversity-inclusion/ and http://www.du.edu/cme/. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter and supporting materials information about how they will advance this commitment in their teaching.
  5. For the initial application, the candidate should send at least one letter of recommendation from a recommender who can speak directly to the candidate’s preparation and qualifications for the position, and should provide the names of two additional recommenders. Candidates selected for initial interviews will need to provide letters from the two additional recommenders. All letters should be sent electronically to Gretchen.Hefner@du.edu

NOTE: The online system is limited to uploading 10 files. Please combine content if necessary to get all content uploaded.

The University of Denver is an affirmative action employer and that age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law are not taken into account in any employment decision.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check

DepartmentAH- Religious Studies (131200)

Position TypeFull-Time/Regular