The Harlem Chair for the Study of History and Culture

Bard College • Harlem, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) seeks a distinguished scholar for an endowed faculty position as professor-in-residence at the Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership in Harlem, New York. The position is two years, beginning July 1, 2027, with teaching starting in the fall semester. The Chair will teach across the NYC Microcollege network and provide academic advising to students in Harlem. The teaching load is 2-2 and includes writing-intensive courses and at least one course focused on Harlem’s past and present. Candidates who bring substantial experience and expertise but cannot commit to a two-year or full-time position may also be considered; salary would be prorated and benefits eligibility would depend on teaching load.

The Chair will organize and participate in public lectures, collaborate with staff on student and community engagement, and build connections between the Microcollege and local libraries, cultural institutions, and other humanistic resources. The successful candidate will be committed to innovative undergraduate teaching in a liberal arts setting, maintain an active research program, and be excited to teach rigorous, discussion-heavy, writing-based courses using inclusive pedagogy and active student participation.

The Bard Microcolleges serve communities often excluded from the university experience. Students take full-time, in-person, seminar-style courses leading to Bard College associate in arts degrees. The Harlem Microcollege is a partnership among JustLeadershipUSA, College & Community Fellowship, and BPI; its curriculum combines advocacy, arts, and sciences and is both local and global, classical and contemporary, artistic and practical.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in history, American studies, art history, anthropology, sociology, or a related field is expected.
• A strong record of scholarly research and publication, or artistic or literary production.
• A record of public-facing intellectual work proximate to the Harlem community.
• A record as a distinguished teacher of diverse student populations in discussion-based seminars.
• Commitment to innovative undergraduate teaching at a liberal arts college with a diverse student body.
• Ability to work effectively in a community diverse in race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.
• Excitement for rigorous, discussion-heavy and writing-based courses that center inclusive pedagogy and require active participation from all students.

Nice To Haves

• Connections to the Harlem community and community institutions are particularly encouraged.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with considerable experience and expertise who cannot commit to a two-year or full-time position.

Responsibilities

• Serve as professor-in-residence at the Bard Microcollege for Just Community Leadership in Harlem.
• Teach across the NYC Microcollege network with a 2-2 course load.
• Teach writing-intensive courses and one or more courses focused specifically on Harlem’s past and present.
• Provide academic advising to students in Harlem.
• Organize and participate in public lectures.
• Collaborate with staff on student and community engagement.
• Create connections between the Microcollege and local libraries, cultural institutions, and other humanistic resources.
• Maintain an active research program.

Benefits

• For Bard Microcollege students, scholarships cover tuition and fees, and books are provided. Benefits eligibility for candidates considered for less than full-time work depends on teaching load.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree