University of Minnesota: Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies

Assistant Professor in Ancient Near Eastern Religion

The Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota seeks to make a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor in ancient Near Eastern religion, to begin fall semester, 2009.  The field of research specialization is open, but teaching competence in Israelite religion is required.  Candidates should possess expert skills in the relevant research languages, including classical Hebrew, and will be expected to teach one or more ancient languages at beginning and advanced levels.

The department integrates the disciplinary perspectives of Classics, Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Archaeology, to create a coherent program in the study of the ancient Mediterranean world.  The curriculum includes the languages, cultures, and material remains of Greece, Rome, and the ancient Near East.  The faculty is committed to the historical and philological analysis of the literature, culture, and religions of these areas.  Preference will be given to applicants who share these broad perspectives and can contribute to their development.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses on biblical and cognate literatures and religions that contribute to the general educational mission of the College of Liberal Arts.  These include large lecture classes that are accessible to the general student population as well as upper level courses that introduce source texts in the original languages.  The candidate should also be able to contribute graduate level courses and advising to the department’s comparative Master’s track in the Religions of Antiquity.  In addition, the candidate will be expected to participate in a newly developed, multi-disciplinary program in Religious Studies and may be invited to join the Center for Jewish Studies.

Preference will be given to applicants who have begun to establish a research trajectory and who have a record of successful undergraduate instruction, especially in large lecture classes.  Candidates must have completed all requirements for the PhD or equivalent degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Religious Studies, or other appropriate field by the time of appointment.  

To apply, submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, a brief writing sample, and evidence of successful teaching.  In order for the application to be considered, the letter of application and curriculum vitae must be submitted on the University of Minnesota’s employment application web site:

https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1204048611731

(use the position requisition number 157918).  All other materials must be sent in traditional format to:

Professor Eva von Dassow

Search Committee Chair

Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies

245 Nicholson Hall

216 Pillsbury Drive SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

Completed applications must be received by Friday, October 24, 2008 to be assured of review.  The position will remain open until filled.  The committee expects to select a list of candidates for interviews at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in Boston, MA (Nov. 21-25).  Inquiries may be directed to the search committee chair, Professor Eva von Dassow: vonda001@umn.edu; 612-626-4787; fax: 612-624-4894.

Further information about the department may be found at: http://cnes.cla.umn.edu/ or from 612–625–5353.  The program in Religious Studies has its own web page at http://www.religiousstudies.umn.edu/.

·       The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.