American Studies Program

Two-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies

The American Studies Program at Williams College invites applications for a two-year Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP) to begin July 1, 2024. We seek a scholar of Asian American Studies whose teaching, research, and scholarship focus on art, performance, sexuality, labor, and/or empire; whose methodologies are relational, diasporic, or transpacific; and whose methods are interdisciplinary. The faculty appointment is located in the American Studies Program, and the VAP will be expected to participate jointly in the American Studies and Asian American Studies Programs.

The hire will be appointed full-time for a term of two years, have a teaching load of two courses each semester, and be expected to teach introductory, methods, and senior seminar courses in Asian American Studies and American Studies, as well as be available to serve on one senior thesis committee each year or advise up to two semester-long capstone projects. Williams is an institution that places a high value on undergraduate teaching. Thus, the search committee seeks applicants whose supporting materials demonstrate a commitment to inclusive teaching and working effectively with a student population that is broadly diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religious views, socioeconomic status, experience with higher education, and more.

Williams College is a liberal arts institution located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. The college has built its reputation on outstanding teaching and scholarship and on the academic excellence of its approximately 2,000 students. Beyond fully meeting its legal obligations for non­discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.

The American Studies Program at Williams is a small but vibrant program with a diverse faculty. It offers students a 10-course major and an opportunity to pursue a yearlong senior thesis. Started over 80 years ago, the American Studies Program at Williams is one of the oldest in the country. Today, our courses engage the prominent theories, methods, and topics in the interdisciplinary field, especially as they relate to slavery, colonialism, capitalism, and empire. Started in academic year 2023-2024, the Asian American Studies Program at Williams offers students a 5-course Concentration, which includes a capstone project requirement. With faculty located across various units at the college, the AAS program is dedicated to curricula and programming regarding race and racism, colonialism and empire, immigration and diaspora, war and militarism, labor and embodiment, and citizenship and identity. Majors and concentrators across both programs are highly engaged in their studies, relationships with faculty, and the respective programs.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD by the start of the appointment; scholars with degrees in American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or Performance Studies are highly encouraged to apply. We also especially welcome applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the academy. Compensation for the position includes salary, insurance benefits, and an allowance each year for professional travel expenses. Williams also offers faculty participation in the college’s professional development program First3, access to a number of online NCFDD resources, and support through the newly established Rice Center for Teaching. The visitor will be joining a small cohort of Asian Americanists in history, sociology, American Studies, public health, and English, and American Studies faculty working in visual politics, poetry, US empire, and more.

Application Instructions

We look forward to seeing your application for this exciting position. Applications should be submitted via lnterfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/137433 and should include:

  • a cover letter of no more than two pages describing your research, scholarship, teaching experience, and prior engagement in department/program, campus, and/or community activities
  • a curriculum vitae
  • official course evaluations for two courses (ideally discussion-based)
  • a writing sample of no more than 25 pages
  • two reference letters
  • two sample syllabi: one for an introductory Asian American Studies course and another for an Asian American Studies and/or American Studies course of your choice

Applications are due January 19, 2024. Inquiries should be sent to Jan Padios, Associate Professor of American Studies and Chair of the Asian American Studies Program, at [email protected].

Fax and email applications will not be accepted. Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background check.

Position begins

July 1, 2024

Application deadline

January 19, 2024

Apply online

https://apply.interfolio.com/137433

Williams College is a liberal arts institution located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. The college has built its reputation on outstanding teaching and scholarship and on the academic excellence of its approximately 2,000 students. Please visit the Williams website (http://williams.edu).

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive.