The Center for Black Studies at Denison University invites applications for an Associate or Full Professor who will serve an inaugural term as Director of Black Studies to begin August 2024. As longtime leadership transitions to retirement, this position marks an exciting opportunity to revitalize the program with new hiring and curricular innovation. The Center enjoys a storied history at Denison and in academia as one of the first institutionalized programs in the nation. Denison takes pride in its dedication to undergraduate liberal arts education, and our new senior faculty colleague will play a critical role in modeling and advancing that mission.

The teaching and research specialization is open, but an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach that centers intellectual frameworks within Black Studies is required. The new faculty member will be expected to teach the program's two core courses, "Introduction to Black Studies" and a course focused on theorizing race and ethnicity in the African Diaspora, as well as develop survey and advanced courses in their areas of expertise. Demonstrated investment in teaching, advising, and mentoring of undergraduate students is required. Denison's standard teaching load is 3/2 with a one course reduction per semester for directors of programs. Candidates who have earned degrees in Black/Africana Studies, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, or other interdisciplinary programs will receive preference, but those with traditional disciplinary training with a demonstrated commitment to Black Studies will also be given full consideration.

The Black Studies Program offers both a major and a minor and forms a lively intellectual community of faculty and students. Information about our program, curriculum, and teaching mentorship can be found at. Contributions to the life of the department, institution, and the larger community are an essential part of Denison's mission. We anticipate our new colleague will engage in service activities within these communities.

Denison is an increasingly diverse, highly selective, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 2,300 students from across the nation and around the world. The college is located in the village of Granville, 30 minutes from Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, which hosts a wide range of cultural and artistic opportunities. Granville offers an excellent public school system and easy access to outdoor activities. Denison is committed to attracting and supporting an academically and culturally diverse faculty and to providing a work and learning environment free from discrimination. A supportive environment for teacher-scholars who value both classroom and research excellence, Denison offers extensive support for its faculty, including competitive professional development funding, a one-semester research leave after a successful pre-tenure review, opportunities for student-faculty research collaboration, and a range of workshops and mentoring programs to develop our strengths as faculty. Denison offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including tuition benefits to attend Denison or other affiliated colleges and a generous retirement contribution.

The Associate or Full Professor of Black Studies position requires a Ph.D. and the qualifications consistent with an appointment as a tenured professor at a small liberal arts college; previous leadership experience or demonstrated potential is required.

Applications must be submitted online at. Applications received by December 31, 2023, will receive full consideration. Initial interviews will be conducted via video conferencing on Zoom in late January and early February. Finalists will be invited for an on campus interview in mid- to late-February. The position will remain open until filled.

Applications should include:

1) A comprehensive job letter that includes the rank you are applying for; your interest in the position and liberal arts education; your teaching and research expertise, including a philosophy of teaching; and how you envision supporting the educational experiences of a diverse student body (maximum 4 pages single-spaced).

2) A curriculum vitae.

3) A writing sample of no more than 25 pages.

4) A list of 3 references (full name and email address). References will submit information online

5) A sample course syllabus in the candidate's area of teaching