Assistant Professor (Art History) at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Job Description:

Title: Assistant Professor (Art History)

Employee Classification: FA - Faculty 16 and 24 Pay

Pay Grade:

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Subdivision: School of Art and Design

Department: College of Arts and Sciences

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

The School of Art and Design at Eastern Michigan University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Art History, beginning August 2025. This position is part of a four-faculty cluster in Art History, Political Science, Sociology Anthropology and Criminology, and Arts Administration collaborating with the University's new Civil Rights and Social Justice Center. We seek candidates from any specialization whose work aligns with the Center's goals, with a preference for a focus on premodern art, globally defined. Areas of focus may include, but are not limited to, the arts of Africa, the Islamic world (including the ancient Mediterranean and Near East), the Americas, or other regions that complement our existing faculty strengths. A museum studies background is also welcome.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have a three courses per semester base teaching load, primarily art history courses including surveys and upper-level classes in their area of expertise, while actively engaging in—and helping to shape—the Civil Rights and Social Justice Center's initiatives. A primary instructional responsibility will be to teach our ancient through medieval survey course (ARTH 162), but the appointee is also encouraged to develop new courses and collaborate in a broader re-envisioning of the art history curriculum. They will have opportunities to participate in our College in Prison Program, intercollegiate collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), study abroad programs, and campus programming such as the EMU galleries, among others. The appointee will be expected to collaborate with faculty in the cluster from other disciplines and contribute to shaping a more equitable vision of the arts at EMU. We value candidates who can leverage these unique engagement opportunities to enrich their teaching and research while fostering community connections.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Art History or a related field (completed by August 2025), with a preference for expertise in premodern art history, globally defined. Candidates must show evidence of scholarly potential and a demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence. Enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching, pedagogical creativity, and flexibility are essential, as is a commitment to working with students from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. Willingness to participate in diverse educational outreach programs is crucial. Experience in digital humanities, background in critical race studies, interest in cultural exchange and interaction, and familiarity with museum studies are desirable.

Eastern Michigan University is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering diverse and inclusive academic communities.

Special Instructions:

Applications for this position are due by January 5, 2025. ATTN: Dr. Pamela Stewart (pstewa13@emich.edu) The following documents in PDF format must be attached when submitting the application:

Letter of application
Curriculum vitae
Statements of teaching philosophy and research agenda
Writing sample or offprints of published work (35 pages maximum)
Contact information of three references (names, phone numbers, and emails)

Applicants must address their interest in social justice and civil rights and how they might collaborate with the cluster and Center. They may do so in their letter and teaching/research statements, or they may put forward a separate statement.

About Eastern Michigan University: Eastern Michigan University enrolls a diverse population of more than 14,000 students. EMU is designated an R2 (High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning, with a further classification for Community Engagement. The EMU campus is located in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor community, five miles from downtown Ann Arbor, 35 miles west of Detroit, and 50 miles from Toledo. Chicago, Cleveland, and Toronto are each a half-day's drive away. EMU's School of Art and Design offers undergraduate programs in art history, studio art, animation & gaming, and art education, as well as an MFA program.

Appointment Percentage:

100%

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