Assistant Teaching Professor

Assistant Teaching Professor – joint appointment in Anthropology, African & African American Studies, and Geography & Atmospheric Science

Position Overview

The Departments of Anthropology, African & African-American Studies, and Geography & Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas (KU) invite applicants for a full-time, non-tenure-track assistant teaching professor position.  The successful applicant will have expertise in socio-cultural anthropology/health and/or health/medical geography, public health policy, and politics in the African diaspora.  The successful candidate must have a background in cultural and medical anthropology and/or health/medical geography, have experience in developing and teaching courses in culture and health/medical geography, introductory cultural anthropology, and the African diaspora.

Teaching Professors are participating members of Departments and therefore may have instruction-related responsibilities beyond direct instruction, such as participation on committees, advising undergraduate and/or graduate students, curriculum development, and course-improvement initiatives. 

The University of Kansas values candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically under-represented minorities.  Diversity, equity inclusion, and belonging are an important part of our culture and university strategic plan.  Applications from members of underrepresented groups are encouraged, noting the value that differences bring to our organization, students, staff, faculty, and community.  The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Job Duties:    Assistant Teaching Professor

80% Teaching/Advising

The successful candidate will teach the introductory socio-cultural anthropology class in the Department of Anthropology and an existing class on culture and health, cross-listed by African & African-American Studies and Geography and Atmospheric Science. The new faculty member will also be expected to train advanced graduate students as college level educators and teachers.  The standard teaching expectation is three courses per semester.  All faculty are expected to:

• Prepare for and attend all class meetings. In case of absence, the faculty member must arrange for a substitute to teach class or propose some other relevant assignment.   Classes should not be canceled. Provide instruction throughout the semester, develop appropriate material for class sessions, grade assignments in a timely manner, provide students with regular and precise information about their progress in the course, and give students clear information about how to improve their performance in the course.  Develop assignments, administer tests, evaluate student work, provide feedback to students, and assign grades. Hold regular office hours for students involved in classes taught.  Be available for office hours each week, including reasonable appointments if a student cannot meet during scheduled office hours. Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Supervise and mentor graduate teaching assistants assigned to their classes. Adhere to program, College, and University policies. All faculty members are expected to be active in advising.  All faculty members are to take their teaching and advising responsibilities seriously and to strive for excellence in the classroom.

10% Research

The successful candidate will conduct research in their area of specialization. Geographic area of interest will be Africa preferably, but not limited to, sub-Saharan Africa.  The successful candidate may also conduct research in the area of the scholarship of teaching. The products of research may include, but are not limited to, workshops, presentations, and publication (including newsletters, websites, to peer-reviewed journal articles) of best practices in teaching and learning within and outside the unit and/or peer-reviewed disciplinary or pedagogical research.

10% Service

Teaching professors are expected to participate in appropriate professional activities, such as attending faculty meetings, carrying out departmental committee assignments, mentoring graduate students, attending national and international meetings or conferences, serving the College and KU as appropriate, and serving the profession as a reviewer for grant proposals and manuscripts, or as an officer of a professional society. Teaching professors are full voting members of the department faculty except on personnel matters involving tenure-track faculty.

Collegiality

Faculty members are expected to meet satisfactory standards of performance in all three areas of responsibility and to carry out those responsibilities in accordance with the Faculty Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, African Studies, Geography, or related discipline by the start date of the appointment. A demonstrated record of teaching and/or research experience. Commitment to excellence and innovation in the teaching and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students. Commitment to teaching courses in introductory socio-cultural anthropology, culture and health, and additional courses in areas of expertise as desired.

For complete information and to apply online, go to https://employment.ku.edu/academic/xxxxxBR.  Applicants should submit: (a) a letter of interest, (b) full curriculum vitae, (c) statements of teaching and research experience and philosophies, and (d) the names and email addresses of three professional references.

In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant's contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU's mission. As a result, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application:

• Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Review of applicants will begin on January 26, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.  For information about the position, please contact Search Committee Chair Peter Ojiambo at (ojiambo@ku.edu)

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.