Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Job Details

Wheaton College (IL) is seeking an Assistant Professor of Anthropology to join the faculty in a tenure track position in the department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Urban Studies. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching courses in anthropology that serve anthropology majors as well as students from a variety of majors, minors, and certificates. This individual will contribute to the intellectual and spiritual growth of students, blending academic excellence with a commitment to Christian values.

Anthropology has been a core discipline at Wheaton since 1937. Alumni go on to pursue careers and graduate studies in a wide range of fields including law, medicine, education, business, and ministry. The program includes a major in Anthropology, a major in Anthropology Integrated with Christian Formation and Ministry, a minor in Anthropology, and a certificate in Missions Studies. Anthropology faculty teach courses that serve several additional programs, including the Human Needs and Global Resources Certificate, Urban Studies and Sociology majors, and the Christ at the Core general education curriculum. The successful candidate will join a department committed to exploring how God meets people within diverse social and cultural contexts.

Wheaton College, located in a suburban community in the Chicago metropolitan area, is a Christ-centered community whose faculty and staff must affirm the College’s Statement of Faith as expressing their own theological convictions. They also agree to live by the moral standards in Wheaton’s Community Covenant, modeling these commitments for the Christian formation of our students. Wheaton College faculty and staff also support the Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment, which highlights our desire to treat all individuals as equal image-bearers of Jesus Christ. We encourage applications from candidates who will work to deepen Christ-centered diversity by fostering a campus climate where all faculty, staff, students, and alumni feel welcomed, respected, valued, and supported. For more information about Wheaton College visit www.wheaton.edu.

Additionally, Wheaton College aspires to provide a physically safe environment for students, staff, and faculty to learn and work. In support of this objective, the College requires background checks for final candidates, after an employment offer is extended. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach courses in anthropology at the undergraduate level, typically teaching three courses per semester. The primary teaching load will consist of core requirements for the anthropology program, including introductory, methods, and theory courses along with electives in the candidate’s area of expertise.
• Develop a research trajectory relevant to the field of anthropology.
• Utilize effective and engaging teaching methods to promote active learning and critical thinking.
• Mentor and advise students and teaching assistants, fostering their academic, spiritual and vocational development.
• Contribute to curriculum development, including the creation of new courses and updates to existing ones, aligned with the department goals and the institution's mission and values.
• Contribute to the vitality of the college through participating in departmental and committee work.

Desired Qualifications and Specializations

• Applicants should have an earned doctorate in anthropology (ABD considered).
• While the subfield of expertise is open, we are particularly interested in scholars focused on East or Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, or Europe, with expertise in Urban Studies, global Christianity, linguistics, medical anthropology, or business anthropology.
• Proficiency in teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to Christian values and the ability to integrate faith and learning in the field of anthropology.
• Prior teaching experience at the university level is preferred, with a strong record of effective and innovative pedagogy.
• A record of scholarly research with a demonstrated potential for scholarly contributions in a specialized research field.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage and inspire students.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to a vibrant academic community.

Application Process:

Interested individuals should submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest, which should articulate the candidate’s qualifications in terms of teaching and scholarship. Additionally, candidates should describe their interest in mentoring students in the integration of Christian faith and learning by drawing from their Christian faith background. Additional application materials will be requested from promising candidates.

Our Christian liberal arts institution values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.