This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For moreinformation, please see:https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12373994 Description

The Humanities Collegiate Division and the Program for Public Thinkingat the University of Chicago are accepting applications for the positionof a Senior Instructional Professor (open rank) and Academic Director.The Academic Director will play an instrumental role in the developmentand management of the newly-established Program for Public Thinking andteach up to four courses per year, depending on other duties. This is afull-time, benefits-eligible position with a three-year or five-yearrenewable term, depending on rank, to start 1 September 2025.

Rooted in the university's commitment to open-ended inquiry, rigorousargument, and intellectual pluralism, the Program for Public Thinking isfocused on fostering critical thinking about both the philosophy andpractice of public intellectual life. The Academic Director willimplement the Program's dual mission: on the one hand, advancingscholarly inquiry into long-running debates about what it means to"think in public"; and on the other, modeling and encouragingthoughtful participation in today's public conversation. At the heartof the program will be a curriculum developed by the Academic Directorin consultation with the Faculty Director, Program ImplementationCoordinator, and the Faculty Advisory Board. The curriculum will combinerigorous study of intellectual history with an inquiry into thepresent-day challenges of communicating about ideas in a rapidlyevolving public sphere. Integrated into the College's distinctiveundergraduate curriculum, the courses will reflect the conviction thathumanistic education and a familiarity with a diversity of intellectual,religious, and political traditions are centerpieces of addressing thechallenges faced by public thinkers today.

Pedagogy is a mainstay of this position, and therefore we seekcandidates who are able to design and teach impactful courses on thehistory, philosophy, and practice of public thinking. The AcademicDirector will be responsible for planning, staffing, and coordinatingall courses in the Program, including the supervision and evaluation ofunionized lecturers. In addition, the Academic Director is expected tocontribute to the Program's co-curricular programming, outreachefforts, grant writing, foundation reporting, and fundraising. Thecourse assignments and other duties will be determined annually by theFaculty Director of the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse.Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Academic Director will work withthe Implementation Coordinator and other stakeholders to develop allaspects of the Program's academic curriculum, including advising andmentoring students, developing co-curricular programming, andintegrating the Program for Public Thinking into the life of the Collegeand the University.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences isrequired.A doctoral or a terminal master's degree is preferred.Experience teaching at the college level is required.Experience editing and / or writing longform reviews, criticism, oressays for non-academic publications about art, culture, politics,or intellectual life is required.Research or writing about public discourse and issues related tofree expression may be helpful but is not required.Demonstrable administrative skill, entrepreneurial drive, andexperience managing people is a plus.Application Instructions

Applicants should submit through the University of Chicago's Interfoliowebsite apply.interfolio.com/159702 and upload the following materials:

A current CV.Cover letter discussing interest in and qualifications for thepositionTeaching materials that demonstrat pedagogical experience andeffectiveness, such as sample syllabi, assignments, courseevaluations, and a teaching statement.Copies of or links to public-facing writing about art, politics,culture, or intellectual life.Names and contact information of three references whose letters ofrecommendation may be solicited.Review of applications will begin on January 6, 2025 and continue untilthe position is filled. Only complete applications will be considered.The position is contingent upon budgetary approval.

Questions about the position may be directed to Christopher Wild([email protected]), Faculty Director of the Parrhesia Program forPublic Discourse, or Germaine Kindred ([email protected]), ProgramAdministrator.