Assistant Professor of Practice, Religious Studies and Classics

The Department of Religious Studies and Classics at the University of Arizona is accepting applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Classics or a closely related field. Candidates with teaching competency in classical reception are especially encouraged to apply. This is a 9-month academic year position based in Tucson, Arizona, with approximately 26 weeks during the academic year (13 weeks each semester) teaching for a study abroad program in Orvieto, Italy as well as additional travel in Europe and the U.S. East Coast. The successful candidate will be expected to teach a range of courses in Classics and classical reception as part of the study abroad program, including an upper-level undergraduate course titled “America and Antiquity” that will incorporate exploring classical reception on site in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas. This position will begin August 14, 2023. This position has the possibility for renewal.

The Assistant Professor of Practice will serve as a core member of the teaching and travel team for the Dorrance Scholarship Program’s study abroad semester in Orvieto, Italy and at several additional sites in Europe and the U.S. East Coast. This study abroad program will be offered to two cohorts of Dorrance scholars in AY 2023-2024: the program will be offered to one cohort in the Fall 2023 semester, and then again for a second cohort in the Spring 2024 semester. Each cohort will have 25-28 students. The Assistant Professor of Practice will receive full-time salary and benefits from the University of Arizona for the entire 2023-2024 academic year, as well as funding coverage for travel with the Dorrance study abroad program and lodging in Orvieto and other travel sites.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; state and optional retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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The Dorrance Scholarship for first-generation students (DorranceScholarship.org) is a need-based award providing financial and academic support for Arizona high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree at one of Arizona’s public universities. The Dorrance award is renewable for a total of 8 semesters (4 years) of funding. Scholarships are renewed based on academic standing, participation in program events and activities and community service projects. Recipients may major in the degree program of their choice. Since most recipients choose STEM majors, the Dorrance Program seeks to complement students’ curriculum with humanities coursework during their study abroad semester. Classics courses completed while studying abroad can count toward a Classics minor or a major. The Dorrance Program has a longstanding relationship with the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona (humanities.arizona.edu), which houses the Department of Religious Studies and Classics (classics.arizona.edu). In 2021, Jacquelynn and Bennett Dorrance made a gift commitment to endow the deanship of the University of Arizona College of Humanities, reflecting their enduring commitment to humanities education.

The Dorrance Scholarship Program provides Dorrance Scholars the opportunity to study abroad for one semester in Orvieto, Italy, with the following goals:

(1) To introduce students to different cultures, both in theory (academically) and in practice (the study abroad experience itself), thereby contributing to global citizenship.
(2) To advance students’ knowledge of Western cultural foundations and their legacy in America.

Participating with the Dorrance Scholarship Program (DSP) and its collaborators in program planning, curriculum development, and other activities to support the long-term success of the Program’s study/travel semester abroad. This position will require collaborative and organizational abilities.

Serving as a faculty member for the Program’s residential program in Orvieto, Italy, during 12 weeks in the Fall 2023 semester and 12 weeks in the Spring 2024 semester, with additional travel outside Italy. This would include the following:

• Teaching 2-3 University of Arizona Classics courses each semester in Orvieto, Italy according to the academic expectations of Classics at the University of Arizona.
• Meeting deadlines and following policies from the University of Arizona Study Abroad Office, which is a Program collaborator (e.g., syllabi, grading, etc.).
• Collaborating with other Program faculty regarding course themes, academic deadlines and expectations, and travel excursions to create a unified but interdisciplinary study experience for the students.
• Contributing academic content to a travel field guide that complements the courses offered.
• Holding office hours, mentoring, advising, and tutoring students in Orvieto.
• Chaperoning program travel excursions. In addition to travel throughout Italy, this would include travel with students and other faculty and Program staff to various European countries and to the east coast of the United States.
• Conducting lectures in-situ as appropriate (some local guides also will be used).

• Ph.D. in Classics or closely related field with a concentration in classical reception
• Professional-level English
• Experience teaching Classics at the university level

• Previous experience with study abroad programs
• Experience teaching courses on the influence of the ancient Greco-Roman world on the art, architecture, literature, and/or cultures of Europe and the United States
• Curriculum Development Experience

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter