Teaching Fellows in Humanities

University of Chicago

Teaching Fellows in the Humanities

A Program of Professional and Pedagogical Development

The Division of the Humanities is accepting applications from current and recent graduate students in the Division for a competitive two-year program designed to enhance their pedagogical skills and research profile. Humanities Teaching Fellows (HTF) participate in a community of practice around teaching, research, and professional development, drawing on guidance and support from the Division, the Chicago Center for Teaching (CCT), and a designated faculty mentor.

To be eligible, applicants must be current or recent graduate students who are on track to receive or have received a PhD from a program in the Humanities Division within seven years of matriculation.

Successful candidates will be appointed as part-time Lecturers to teach four courses per year at the undergraduate level. The teaching load may include a combination of courses in the Humanities or Arts Core, language courses, and courses in majors and programs that relate to Fellows’ expertise. The starting salary for AY21-22 is yet to be determined.

Each Teaching Fellow will be provided with support for research and professional development, including financial support for conference travel; have access to library privileges, and access to career service support through UChicagoGRAD. Each Teaching Fellow also receives a range of employment benefits, including health insurance coverage options through the University Benefits office.

Teaching Fellows are expected to be fully in residence and on campus during the three quarters of the academic year. Teaching Fellows will participate in a program of pedagogical and professional development under the joint supervision of the Faculty Director of the Humanities Teaching Fellows program, the Chicago Center for Teaching (CCT), and their faculty mentor in a relevant Divisional department or program.

Teaching Fellows positions are part-time to allow Fellows time to pursue their research program and opportunities for career advancement. During fall, winter, and spring quarters Teaching Fellows are prohibited from holding any other on-campus employment. Any additional summer work must be pre-approved by the Provost’s Office before its official start.

Qualifications

  1. Program Eligibility:  In order to be eligible for the Humanities Teaching Fellows Program (HTF) an applicant must:
  • have received or be on track to receive the PhD degree within 7 years of matriculation into a PhD program in the Humanities Division of the University of Chicago;
  • have received their PhD degree no earlier than in the Spring Quarter 2020; or be on track to complete all degree requirements, including filing the dissertation, for graduation in Summer Quarter 2021 (this year's deadline is July 30, 2021);
  • identify a faculty sponsor who will commit to mentoring the Teaching Fellow during the program;
  • receive the endorsement of their department chair.

Application Instructions

Applications are due by 11pm central time on April 1, 2021 and must be submitted through The University’s Academic Recruitment site (Interfolio). The posting may be accessed athttp://apply.interfolio.com/83569.

2. Each application must include:

  • a. a detailed cover letter aimed at the Teaching Fellows Program;
  • b. the applicant’s current CV;
  • c. a teaching statement, not to exceed 750 words, describing the applicant’s methods and goals in teaching a text or artwork in the Humanities Core or Arts Core. Applicants should write about a text or artwork of their own choosing but are encouraged to review details of Humanities Core Sequences and Arts Core Sequences as they prepare their statement;
  • d. a current teaching portfolio which includes a sample syllabus for a proposed self-designed course the applicant would be prepared to offer as a teaching fellow. The proposed course should be appropriate for both majors and non-majors in the applicant’s area of study;
  • e. one letter of recommendation addressing the applicant’s teaching experience;
  • f. a brief letter of support an commitment from a faculty member who agrees to serve as mentor during the 2021-22 academic year and who will be in residence for the full year;
    *if the faculty mentor's letter also addresses the applicant's teaching experience, the faculty member may supply the same letter to fulfill both requirements e. and f.
  • g. a letter of nomination from their department chair attesting to the applicant’s progress to degree and listing possible teaching assignments. Joint degree students should request this letter from the chair of their home department. Joint degree students selected as Teaching Fellows will be appointed in their home department only.

Note: All letters should be submitted as reference letters via the Academic Recruitment website. Applicants are advised to request their letters as soon as possible (i.e. prior to submitting the final materials) to allow ample time for recommenders to upload their letters.

3. Selection Process:   All applications will be reviewed by the HTF committee, which includes a representative of the Chicago Center for Teaching, the Master of the Humanities Collegiate Division, the Dean of Students of the Division of the Humanities, the Faculty Director of the Humanities Teaching Fellows program, and two additional faculty members from the Humanities Division, to be designated by the Dean of the Humanities Division.

Notification and Start of Program: Successful Teaching Fellows and alternates will be notified by April 15, 2021. The Fellows’ appointment will normally begin September 1, 2021.

Note:

  • The HTF appointment is contingent upon graduation no later than the Summer quarter of 2021, and on the satisfactory presentation of appropriate documentation of eligibility to work lawfully in the United States by the start of the appointment.
  • International students who receive an appointment must secure work authorization from the Office of International Affairs prior to September 1, 2021 to avoid a delay in their ability to begin employment.
  • The terms and conditions of employment for this position, including the salary and term length, are determined by a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union.

The University of Chicago is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

For help signing up, accessing your account, or submitting your application please check out Interfolio's help and support section or get in touch via email at help@interfolio.com or phone at (877) 997-8807.

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