"Assistant Professor - Political Science (59)"

Job Description

SCHOOL: Humanities

DEPARTMENT: Political Science

TENURE STATUS: Tenure-track

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, 10 months

Position Description

Seton Hill University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position in Political Science, housed in the School of Humanities and linked to programs in Political Science, Global Studies, and Pre-Law/Legal Studies. Appointment is to begin in August 2026.

The faculty member will teach a range of courses in Political Science, particularly focused on Comparative Politics or International Relations, but candidates with a background in American Government, Political Theory, and Legal Studies will also be considered. Seton Hill's Political Science program offers majors in Political Science, Political Science-Pre-law, and Global Studies (specializations in Human Rights, Environment, and Development Studies). All SHU students are also required to take course work in the Social Sciences as part of the Liberal Arts curriculum, and the desired candidate will teach across the Liberal Arts. The teaching load is 4/4.

Responsibilities/Duties

Teaching and advising (didactic and clinical supervision of residents)

• Demonstration of content expertise in appropriate areas
• Effective design of instructional and assessment procedures
• Effective delivery of instruction
• Responsive to feedback
• Effective advises students toward meeting curricular requirements and developing career directions
• Demonstrates curricular leadership
• Integrates Setonian mission and values into teaching

Scholarship and Professional Activities

• Actively pursues ongoing professional development
• Active participation in advancing the discipline
• Employs a scholarly approach to pedagogy

Service to the University

• Engages in positive collegial interactions
• Contributes to the university community, supporting a vibrant campus and the university mission
• Participates in co-curricular activities with students
• Models a commitment to the Setonian mission of transforming the world through support of mission initiatives or service to the community
• Acts in a leadership capacity to make significant contributions to support institutional structures and advance the mission of the university

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Political Science, International Studies, Politics, Government, or Pre-Law/Legal Studies at time of appointment
• Ability to teach a range of courses in the discipline, including Comparative Politics and International Relations, as well as special topics including Human Rights, Environmental Issues, or Genocide. Faculty must also be able to teach Introduction to Political Science, Political Theory, American National Government, and Topics in American Politics.
• Evidence of effective teaching and commitment to continued professional development
• Ability to work collegially with other faculty members and staff in the School of Humanities and across the University
• Willingness and ability to recruit and advise undergraduate majors in Political Science, Global Studies, and Political Science Pre-Law
• Affirmation of the mission and identity of Seton Hill University, a Catholic Liberal Arts institution in the tradition of Elizabeth Ann Seton and committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Background or teaching experience in all subfields of political science, but especially: comparative politics, international relations, and global studies.
• Interest in contributing to Seton Hill's liberal arts curriculum, with potential to connect across interdisciplinary areas such as Environment & Sustainability, Gender and Women Studies, and/or Genocide & Holocaust Studies.
• Demonstrated research trajectory, with opportunities for faculty/student collaboration and/or public facing research
• Interest in and proposals for extracurricular academic student events and activities

Required applicant materials include: letter of interest, curriculum vitae, official transcripts, scholarship sample, statement of teaching philosophy, and three letters of reference. Reference letters should be sent to atulley@setonhill.edu. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by October 10 will receive priority consideration. Finalists will be required to submit a Mission Statement.