Description
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Department of Religion and Culture at Southwestern University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position beginning in August of 2027. Our commitment is to maintain a well-rounded Department and to produce students who will be ready to enter a diverse, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic world. The ideal candidate would specialize in Latin American/ Latinx/Chicanx Christianities, African/African-American Christianities, or World Christianities. A scholar trained in interdisciplinary methods is preferable so that courses could connect to other areas such as Feminist Studies, Race and Ethnicity Studies, Latin-American and Border Studies, or other interdisciplinary programs. Sub-specializations could include such areas as Anthropology, Sociology, History, and International Studies.
Southwestern’s Religion and Culture Department includes a variety of courses that often change based on the specializations and teaching interests of our faculty. The new faculty person would be expected to teach courses in the Christian traditions, and possibly in the Jewish or Islamic traditions depending on their interests and training. Other courses focused on particular comparative religions topics currently offered include such courses as The Body in Religion, Apocalypse and Dystopia, Indigenous Myth and Narrative, Sacred Space and the Environment, Animals and Religion, and Women, Goddesses and Religion.
The successful candidate will teach five courses per academic year. Elective courses within the areas of the candidate’s specialization will also be part of the eventual course rotation. Additional responsibilities include maintaining an active scholarly agenda, academic advising, and departmental and university service. The department encourages applications from candidates with a demonstrated interest in fostering inclusive excellence in the classroom, curricular innovation, and pedagogical creativity. Additional information about the Department is available at https://www.southwestern.edu/religion/.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in Religion or related discipline from an accredited institution.
- Advanced ABD candidates from an accredited university may also be considered with the expectation that the terminal degree will be earned by August 1, 2027.
- Strong commitment to student success and teaching at a residential liberal arts and sciences institution.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please submit the following materials by October 1, 2026:
- A letter of interest
- A current curriculum vitae
- Supplementary materials requested at later stages:
- Two relevant sample syllabi
- A statement of teaching philosophy
- A statement regarding research interests
- Letters of recommendation
Starting annual salary for 9-month position: $65,000. The final offer for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience and may exceed this figure. Teaching in Southwestern University summer school provides faculty with an opportunity to supplement their income during the summer months. Many tenure-track faculty conduct research with undergraduate students during the summer, and their income can be supplemented through competitive Southwestern Undergraduate Research with Faculty (SURF) funding.
This position is not eligible for employer immigration sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring employer-sponsored work authorization.
