Assistant Professor - African American Studies

Position Function:

The African American Studies Program and the Department of English at Mississippi State University invite applications for a tenure-track position for an assistant professor specializing in African-American Literature beginning in Fall 2024. Ph.D. in English or related field and college teaching experience required.

Salary Grade: UC

For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The English department offers a traditional Bachelor's degree in English, as well as a minor in English that helps students in other majors develop valuable writing, research, and critical thinking skills. We offer workshop and craft classes in creative writing, and each year bring to campus visiting writers who not only read and discuss their work but also visit workshops and meet informally with students. Our linguistics classes can contribute to careers such as language teaching, publishing, and speech therapy. We also offer a certificate in Teaching This is a joint hire between English and African American Studies. English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Additional information about the Department of English at Mississippi State University can be found at www.english.msstate.edu. Our department has committed to sustained antiracist work in areas including hiring, curricula, pedagogy, and the recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff. This search is part of furthering our goals of promoting equity and inclusivity across the department. African American Studies (AAS) brings together an interdisciplinary community of scholars to offer courses leading to a minor. Our faculty is committed to exploring creative approaches to research and teaching by making the study of African Americans a central element in their scholarship and courses. Our faculty also promotes research across departmental boundaries, thereby producing scholarship touching upon politics, identity, religion, and other variables. The interdisciplinary methodology of AAS informs students who work in a variety of disciplines, including history, political science, sociology, anthropology, music, economics, literature, education, and psychology. While the majority of our courses examine the history and culture of African Americans, the minor concentration also enables students to study Africans in the homeland and the Diaspora.

Area of Specialization:

African American Literature

Anticipated Appointment Date:

August 16, 2024

Tenure Track Status:

Tenure-Track

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a joint appointment with African American Studies and the Department of English. The successful candidate will teach and develop courses in English and African-American Studies. Experience or demonstrated interest in teaching Introduction to African American Studies is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will carry a 2/2 teaching assignment in the first year and a 3/2 (or 2/3) load in subsequent years. Teaching will be split across English and African-American Studies. Publications and professional service are required for tenure and promotions. The Department of English will be the tenure home.

Minimum Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have an earned doctorate in English or a closely related field (or ABD with degree completed by 8/15/2024), as well as college teaching experience. Salary and rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with background and/ or experience in African-American Studies are preferred.

Instructions for Applying:

Interested candidates must submit an application online at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/ along with a cover letter describing their interest in the position, their CV, and contact information for at least three (3) references . References and additional materials, including a writing sample and teaching portfolio, will be requested from short-list candidates. For further information about this position, please contact Dr. Lara Dodds, interim department head (English) and search committee chair at ldodds@english.msstate.edu. Application review will begin on October 27, 2023 and continue until filled. MSU is a public, land-grant institution and is classified as a "very high research activity" university by the Carnegie Foundation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.