Open-Rank Professor, American Civilization

UATX•Austin, TX

19d

About The Position

The Center for Arts at the University of Austin invites applications for full- or part-time faculty positions in American history, thought, and culture at any academic rank. Faculty will contribute to the growing Program in American Civilization and guide students toward a comprehensive understanding of America across its intellectual, political, economic, religious, literary, and artistic dimensions. The university seeks first-rate teachers and accomplished scholars who approach America’s past with seriousness, independence of mind, and a willingness to engage important questions about American national character. Candidates may specialize in any period of American history, including colonial America, the Founding, the early republic, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the twentieth century. The strongest candidates will tell the American story with moral seriousness and narrative power and share the Program’s commitment to understanding American civilization as a coherent whole. The Program studies America as a distinct civilization constituted by ideals, sustained by institutions, and animated by culture. It brings history, politics, philosophy, religion, literature, and art together as facets of national identity. Program faculty contribute courses to the university’s core curriculum, including The American Founding, American Frontiers, and The American Century, and may teach interdisciplinary courses and advanced seminars in the Concentration in American Civilization. Faculty are appointed as Assistant, Associate, or full Professor, with an anticipated start date of Fall 2027. The annual teaching load is 18 quarter hours, equivalent to 12 semester hours or a 2/2 teaching load. The university describes these as long-term academic appointments supported by renewable five-year contracts; it does not operate under a traditional tenure system. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with rank. Full-time Assistant Professor salaries in Arts start at $90,000. Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter describing their interest, relevant teaching and research experience, and alignment with the university’s mission. Part-time applicants should indicate this preference in their cover letter. Applications submitted by January 4, 2027 receive priority review; review begins immediately.

Requirements

Be a first-rate teacher and an accomplished scholar.
Approach America’s past with seriousness and independence of mind.
Demonstrate willingness to engage timely and enduring questions about American national character.
Share the Program’s commitment to understanding American civilization as a coherent whole.

Nice To Haves

Specialization in any period of American history, including colonial America, the Founding, the early republic, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, or the twentieth century.
Ability to tell the American story with moral seriousness and narrative power.
Experience and interests that align with the University of Austin’s distinctive mission.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate courses in American history, thought, and culture, including contributions to the university core curriculum and the Program in American Civilization.
Guide students toward a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of America across its intellectual, political, economic, religious, literary, and artistic dimensions.
Maintain a substantive research agenda.
Engage students in examining important questions about American national character and the American story.