"Adjunct Faculty Pool: Arts and Cultures"

Liberal Studies at New York University is seeking part-time instructors to teach in the Arts and Cultures Core sequence beginning in Spring 2026.

The Liberal Studies Core is a dynamic liberal arts curriculum that provides a global and interdisciplinary foundation for nearly 100 NYU majors. The curriculum uses conceptual and spatial frameworks to trace intellectual and cultural currents through the study of texts, works of art, and political and social structures from early antiquity to the present. Small, seminar-style classes ensure the benefits of a liberal arts college within a large urban research university. We are especially interested in hiring qualified candidates who can contribute through their teaching to the intellectual diversity and excellence of the Liberal Studies community.

The Arts and Cultures curricular sequence investigates literary, musical, visual, and performing arts from prehistory to modernity. In each course, instructors teach methods of close reading of various types of artistic texts and the practice of interdisciplinary modes of analysis. Students are encouraged to consider channels of cultural exchange and transmission on a global scale. Courses meet twice a week for 75 minutes a session and require graded writing assignments or the equivalent, a midterm and final exam, and regular class participation. 

Course Description

For Spring 2026, we are seeking instructors for the first two courses in our Arts and Cultures sequence: Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity (ACA) and Arts and Cultures Toward the Crossroads (ACC), which collectively span the period from early antiquity to the early modern era. ACA introduces the visual, literary, performing, and musical arts from their origins to the end of antiquity, as defined for these purposes by the dissolutions of the Gupta, Han, and Western Roman empires. ACC draws on similar cultural texts and histories to examine the development and interactions of global structures and traditions between the 7th century CE and the early modern period. Candidates with the ability to teach either or both courses are encouraged to apply, as are those with expertise and/or teaching experience in non-Western history and culture.   

Available course sections will meet twice weekly.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the contact hour rate for this position is $222.27. This rate is based on the collective bargaining agreement with Local 7902.

A Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, English, Foreign Language Literatures, Art History with literature teaching experience, or Anthropology with arts focus is strongly preferred, though senior doctoral students (ABD) with teaching experience will be considered. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who share Liberal Studies’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and who can contribute to the diversity of intellectual life in LS and NYU. Candidates must present demonstrated experience and commitment to interdisciplinarity, intersectionality, and a teaching approach informed by global perspectives. Candidates should have the ability to teach the arts produced across the globe in a variety of artistic media. A minimum of one year of college-level teaching experience and a history of demonstrated excellence in teaching is required.

All applications must be submitted through Interfolio, and include ONLY (1) a cover letter and (2) a current C.V.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews to commence as soon as possible.

Liberal Studies sees equity and inclusion and belonging as essential to education and the development of leadership in a globally interconnected world. These values inform LS as a collegial and respectful environment for students, faculty and staff—with particular attention to improving the student experience. To learn more about the Liberal Studies commitment to equity and inclusion and belonging, please read here: Global Inclusion. NYU affirms the value of differing perspectives on the world as we strive to build the strongest possible university with the widest reach. To learn more about the Arts & Science commitment to inclusive excellence, please read here: A&S Inclusive Excellence