Shimer College, once a distinctive liberal arts institution in Naperville, Illinois, offered a unique educational experience centered on the Great Books curriculum. Founded in 1853 as Mt. Carroll Seminary in Mount Carroll, Illinois, it evolved into a four-year college emphasizing rigorous discussion-based learning through the Socratic method. Students engaged in small seminars reading original texts from authors like Plato, Shakespeare, and Einstein, fostering deep critical thinking without lectures or multiple-choice tests.
In 1978, Shimer adopted the Hutchins Plan from the University of Chicago, focusing on foundational texts in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and formal sciences. The college moved several times, from Waukegan to Chicago, and finally to Naperville in 2017, where it merged with North Central College due to financial challenges. This merger ended Shimer as an independent entity, but its programs continue in a transformed way at North Central.
Given its closure, there are no active Shimer College jobs today. However, the legacy influences liberal arts teaching positions nearby. Professionals interested in similar environments can explore opportunities at North Central College or other small colleges in the Chicago area.
Shimer College jobs historically fell into faculty, administrative, and support categories. Faculty positions dominated, with roles like Professor of Humanities or Adjunct Instructor leading seminar discussions across the curriculum. These required passion for Great Books and facilitation skills rather than specialized research.
Administrative jobs included roles in admissions, where staff recruited students for the intensive program, and student life coordinators supporting the close-knit community. For more on types of positions available in higher education, see our university job types page.
Current seekers can look at faculty jobs or adjunct professor jobs in Illinois liberal arts settings.
Great Books Curriculum: A core program where students read primary sources from Western canon, discussing ideas in seminars rather than through textbooks or lectures.
Socratic Method: Teaching approach using questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas, central to Shimer's classes.
Seminar: Small group discussion class, typically 12 students, focused on text analysis without a professor lecturing.
To teach at Shimer, candidates typically held a PhD or equivalent in humanities, philosophy, literature, or interdisciplinary fields. Research focus emphasized Great Books scholarship, classical texts, or Socratic pedagogy. Preferred experience included publications in journals on liberal arts education, prior teaching in seminar formats, and grants for curriculum development.
Skills and competencies: Exceptional facilitation, interdisciplinary knowledge, adaptability to non-traditional assessment (oral exams, papers).
Applications for Shimer jobs involved a CV highlighting teaching philosophy, sample seminar plans, and letters from students on discussion skills. Interviews featured mock seminars. Tips:
Visit how to write a winning academic CV for guidance.
Shimer College fostered diversity through inclusive seminars open to varied backgrounds, with efforts to recruit underrepresented students in Great Books study. Post-merger, North Central College continues with initiatives like affinity groups and scholarships for first-generation students. Shimer's small size allowed personalized support for diverse learners.
Shimer's Naperville campus offered intimate community life with events like guest lectures and reading groups. Faculty enjoyed low student ratios (1:8), flexible schedules around seminars, and collaborative environment. Work-life balance was strong due to no large classes or heavy research demands, though intensive discussions required preparation. Naperville's suburban setting provided family-friendly living near Chicago.
In summary, while Shimer College no longer offers jobs, its legacy endures. Explore higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post your profile on recruitment to connect with similar institutions. Check faculty positions or community college jobs nearby.
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