The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor in the area of Social Theory and Religion in Modernity beginning August 2016. At the time of hire, a Ph.D. is required; advanced ABD candidates will also be considered. The committee welcomes applications from candidates with academic training in religious studies, but will also entertain training in such related fields as cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, race studies, comparative literature, and interdisciplinary studies, as long as expertise in studying and teaching social theory as applied to the study of religion and modernity is evident. The position is a full-time appointment in Religious Studies.
The successful applicant’s area of focus/specialty will complement and enhance the research areas of the Department, in terms of both data domain and critical method. The specific topics/regions of research and teaching are open but each will demonstrate the application of social theory to understand religion’s role in modernity (being broadly conceived as a post-18th century development) The successful candidate will see her or his object of study as an example of wider, cross-cultural socio-political forces and issues. Possible sites for this kind of approach might include (but are not limited to): colonialism and postcolonialism, secularism, the Global South, formations of the modern nation-state, identity studies, liberalism, and economic theory.
Applicants should demonstrate an active and ongoing research agenda, teaching experience, and evidence of the ability to contribute to the life of an academic department in the areas of service. All faculty in REL contribute to teaching introductory courses as well as more specialized upper-level undergraduate seminars.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more.
“EEO is the Law” http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Review of applications will begin on October 1. Applicants are required to apply online, submitting a cover letter, C.V., writing sample (upload to “other document 1” tab), and names/addresses of three references (upload to “other document 2” tab). Selected applicants will subsequently be asked to provide letters of recommendation.
For information, please contact
Professor Merinda Simmons
Chair, Modern Social Theory Search
Department of Religious Studies
212 Manly Hall
P.O. Box 870264
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0264
merinda.simmons@ua.edu