Lecturer/Teaching Specialist 2024/25: Institute for Global Studies

The Institute for Global Studies (IGS) in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs part-time teaching specialists and/or lecturers to teach undergraduate courses that cannot be taught by the regular faculty. These positions are temporary (one semester or one academic year), and they typically teach no more than one three-credit course per academic semester. Courses may be part of the Global Studies academic program, the Asian American Studies academic program, the Religious Studies academic program, or other programs and areas supported by IGS.

IGS also occasionally hires part-time and short-term teaching specialists and lecturers during the summer or academic year to teach courses and lead/facilitate workshops, conferences, and symposia offered by the research centers and academic programs affiliated with IGS, and to contribute to educational initiatives, programs, and projects sponsored by the University's National Resource Center in International Studies and by the University's African Studies Initiative, funded by Title VI grants from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by IGS. Such supplementary appointments may be for a period of weeks or months.

Duties & Responsibilities - Instructional Appointments. Teaching specialists and lecturers in IGS serve as serve as instructor of record for assigned courses. Teaching specialists and lecturers prepare for and conduct classes, hold office hours, evaluate student performance, submit grades, respond to student and department inquiries, and submit student evaluations of instruction. Teaching specialists and lecturers participate in relevant meetings, programs, and orientations; complete required trainings; maintain professional development; and keep current with the field of instruction.

Additional duties may be required in select courses and may include supervising and mentoring graduate teaching assistants, coordinating student internship placements, monitoring students' academic progress, and maintaining community partnerships, etc. Course assignments, schedules, and locations are subject to change based on sufficient enrollment, curricular and programmatic needs, room availability, and other factors.

Duties & Responsibilities - Supplementary Appointments. Teaching specialists and lecturers hired to lead/facilitate workshops, conferences, and symposia offered by the research centers and academic programs affiliated with IGS, and to contribute to educational initiatives, programs, and projects sponsored by Title VI grants consult with IGS coordinators on program goals and objectives, develop and coordinate content, lead and facilitate assigned educational offerings, and support necessary reporting requirements.

This posting does not constitute an announcement of open positions, but is used to establish a pool of applicants should openings occur for Summer 2024, Academic Year 2024/25, May/Summer Session 2025, and Summer 2025.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications. Master's degree in Global Studies, Asian American Studies, Religious Studies, or a social sciences/humanities discipline with an emphasis in a field related to the assigned course, workshop, or other educational offering; and demonstrated successful experience teaching relevant courses or leading/facilitating relevant workshops/educational programs at a four-year college/University.

Preferred Qualifications. Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Global Studies, Asian American Studies, Religious Studies, or a social sciences/humanities discipline with an emphasis in a field related to the assigned course, workshop, or other educational offering; and three years of full-time demonstrated successful experience teaching relevant courses or leading/facilitating relevant workshops/educational programs at a four-year college/University.

Degree Equivalency. In exceptional circumstances IGS may consider candidates with a Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) for appointment as a Teaching Specialist. In such cases, the individual must have significant professional experience in a field related to the subject matter, and/or significant cultural expertise that makes the person uniquely qualified to teach a course or lead a workshop/seminar, etc in the subject matter.

Consistent with University policy, candidates with the M.A. degree will be appointed at the rank of teaching specialist; candidates with the Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree will be appointed at the rank of lecturer.

Candidates will be evaluated according to (A) overall quality of academic preparation; and (B) evidence of successful teaching in relevant subject area(s) at a four-year college or University. References and/or letters of recommendation may be requested as additional evaluation criteria.

About the Department

The Institute for Global Studies (IGS) connects students, scholars, and communities dedicated to social justice, understanding, and transforming our globalized world. IGS offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate major and minor intended to foster innovative problem solving by providing students with a variety of methods and analytic tools. Students are encouraged to develop new perspectives that combine diverse ways of knowing the world.

With support from the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute for Global Studies offers Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships in African, Asian, and International Studies, and hosts educational initiatives and programs sponsored by the University's National Resource Center in International Studies.

IGS strives to:

• Create an environment for students and scholars at the University of Minnesota to investigate the sets of interrelated processes forming today's increasingly interdependent world.
• Provide a vibrant curriculum for students, bring together scholars from diverse disciplines, and work with the community to create partnerships examining global issues.
• Prepare students for global citizenship by offering an innovative and relevant curriculum.
• Put great minds to work on issues of global significance by supporting interdisciplinary research centers, research collaboratives, speakers' series, and colloquia.
• Make connections across cultural, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries by providing professional development for educators and nurturing community partnerships.

Programs supported by the Institute for Global Studies include:

• Asian American Studies Program
• Center for Austrian Studies
• Center for German and European Studies
• Global Studies Program
• Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• Immigration History Research Center
• Human Rights Program
• Center for Premodern Studies
• Center for Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender and Sexuality Studies
• Religious Studies Program
• National Resource Center - International Studies
• National Resource Center - African Studies
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social science and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students (more than 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus) and over 1400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution . CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please describe how your qualifications and experience prepare you to succeed in the position, as well as your commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for diverse populations and communities.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents there.

Applications will not be acknowledged but will be reviewed when such openings occur throughout the year. Applications must be updated or re-submitted for each year.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).