INTRODUCTION 

The Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages (LCL) at the University of Connecticut is looking for a Visiting Assistant Professor in Arabic/Islamic Studies. The successful candidate will be fluent in Arabic and English and will be expected to teach advanced courses in both languages. We are looking for someone able to field courses in gender, culture, and media studies in the MENA region or in other significant Arabic-speaking communities around the world. Candidates interested in the intersection of religion, nationalism, and culture are especially welcome. A background in political science would be considered a major asset, although most candidates will likely hold Ph.D.s in Literature or women, gender, and sexuality studies with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Candidates with Ph.D.s in Sociology may be considered, provided that they understand that their teaching responsibilities will require a cultural studies approach. Standard university teaching responsibilities include seven three-credit courses per year. 

Literatures, Cultures, and Languages is a vital department of more than 40 professors who serve our core mission—reaching out with languages, cultures, and literatures to achieve a deeper engagement with the world. This is an exciting time for LCL. In the last few years, we have added major and minor programs in Chinese, Arabic, and Islamic Studies to our long-standing programs in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, French, German, Italian, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and Spanish Studies. Additional languages taught in LCL include Persian, Irish, Korean, Modern Greek, Japanese, Portuguese, and American Sign Language. We are developing an across-the-humanities translation project aimed at producing publishable translations in collaboration with the Departments of Philosophy and History. LCL also offers exciting dual-degree programs in professional fields that provide opportunities for academic study and prestigious internships in different parts of the world. Our MA and Ph.D. programs support more than 50 full-time graduate students and teaching assistants and offer concentrations in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies (which includes Chinese), French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, Spanish Studies, and Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies. Our department is deeply committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, and we work together to build a community that supports all of its members.

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Literature, Comparative Literature, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or Political Science by start date.
• Native or near native fluency in English and Arabic.
• Undergraduate teaching experience, preferably using Cultural or Media Studies Approaches.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with and mentoring a diverse student population.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated interest in the intersections between at least two of the four following topics gender and sexuality, nationalism, state-building, religion, and race.
• An ability to teach a course in Advanced Arabic language and culture.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2022.   The successful candidate’s primary academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus.  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online to Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21646 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.),
• Commitment to diversity statement,
• Three letters of reference.

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with preference given to applications received by May 1, 2022. For more information regarding Literatures, Cultures, and Languages, please visit the Department website at https://languages.uconn.edu/.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject the budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.