Professorial Lecturer

American University•Washington, DC

8d•$70,000 - $74,000

About The Position

The Department of Government in the School of Public Affairs at American University invites applications for a one term faculty appointment in political theory for the 2026-2027 academic year. The appointment is at the rank of Professorial Lecturer and will commence on August 31, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Applicants should hold a PhD or other terminal degree. Highly qualified applicants with a master’s degree related to political science will be considered at the rank of Instructor. The position will require the incumbent to teach three undergraduate or M.A. courses per semester (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027) in political science, primarily political theory. We are especially interested in applicants who have shown excellence in teaching introduction to political theory courses and can teach Individual Freedom vs Authority (GOVT 105). All faculty are expected to hold office hours and participate in School and University activities and service. This position may also include a leadership role in the Lincoln Scholars Program, with an additional administrative stipend. The Lincoln Scholars Program is a core texts certificate program for first and second year students at American University. It aims to encourage intellectual and political diversity by having students read and discuss core texts in small, conversation-based seminars. Authors usually covered include Plato, Augustine, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Frederick Douglass, and Toni Morrison, among others. The Assistant Director of the Lincoln Scholars Program is a part-time, administrative position, and the occupant will collaborate with the Director to oversee the program and schedule of classes; recruit students through admissions events; and help plan lectures, retreats, and other events for the program, among other tasks. The occupant of this position should expect that some of their teaching will be in the Lincoln Scholars Program. Experience with core texts and demonstrated interest in seminar teaching are both pluses. Salary and benefits are competitive, with an expected salary range of $70,000-$74,000. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, subject to on-going budgetary approval. Please submit applications via Workday and include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional recommendations, recent teaching evaluations (when possible), and copies of recent published papers or working papers. Please contact Joanne Wiesman, Department of Government Administrative Coordinator, at [email protected] if you have questions.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or other terminal degree.
Teach three undergraduate or M.A. courses per semester (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027) in political science, primarily political theory.

Nice To Haves

Experience with core texts.
Demonstrated interest in seminar teaching.

Responsibilities

Teach three undergraduate or M.A. courses per semester (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027) in political science, primarily political theory.
Teach Individual Freedom vs Authority (GOVT 105).
Hold office hours.
Participate in School and University activities and service.
Leadership role in the Lincoln Scholars Program (if assigned).
Collaborate with the Director to oversee the program and schedule of classes (if assigned).
Recruit students through admissions events (if assigned).
Help plan lectures, retreats, and other events for the program (if assigned).