The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) at Arizona State University invites applications for one position on the tenure track at the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor whose primary teaching and research expertise is within the field of American constitutionalism, constitutional thought, or constitutional history. The position has an anticipated start date in August 2027. Candidates should be able to teach, in addition to relevant upper-division courses in…
American constitutionalism, American constitutional history, or American civic thought, SCETL’s signature course “Great Debates in American Constitutionalism and Politics.” This course heavily focuses on the American Founding and American constitutional institutions (e.g. federalism, the separation of powers) and we are proud to fulfill the Arizona Board of Regents requirement for a course in American Institutions to help understand and appreciate American constitutional principles. We would particularly welcome candidates who could supplement current department strengths by teaching courses on the American Founding, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, Montesquieu, Religion and the American Civic Tradition, American Civil-Military Relations, or the American Way or War (American military history).
About The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership
U.S. News and World Report has repeatedly ranked Arizona State University (ASU) as the most innovative university in the country ahead of Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute for Technology. Contributing to that no. 1 ranking is the School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership, which aims to create a new kind of leader by blending tradition and innovation, and blending liberal arts and civic education. SCETL plays a leading role in the intellectual and civic life of ASU and the various communities that it serves. Because the academic mission of the School is to renew the nexus of classical liberal arts education and American civic education in a leading public university, the School’s courses aim to prepare thoughtful citizens and civic leaders for America’s constitutional republic, in civil society or public affairs, regarding domestic and international realities. The School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL), entering its ninth year, is a growing academic and civic enterprise with two undergraduate majors and a minor, undergraduate certificates in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and Great Books in Political Thought, and two M.A. degrees in Classical Liberal Education & Civic Leadership and War & Strategy. The M.A. in War & Strategy launched in 2026 to serve the Department of Defense's Strategic Thinkers Program, a premier graduate-level initiative that prepares select mid-career officers and civilians for senior leadership in national security and defense strategy. The School also hosts an ambitious speakers program – the Civic Discourse Project – and two Centers for research and public outreach. The Center for American Civics focuses on civic education, especially American political and constitutional thought, for a broad public and for higher education and particularly for K-12 schools. The Center for the Study of Economic Liberty pursues national and international research on economic thought, debates about markets, and policies affecting economic liberty. Additionally, the School supports the Mercy Otis Warren Initiative for Women in Civic Life and Thought, an initiative that seeks to draw attention to and support female thinkers who value and work within the expansive canon of Western social and political thought. See https://scetl.asu.edu/ for more information about the School.
About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.
Qualifications
Essential Functions
- Contribute to curriculum development
- Deliver instruction at the undergraduate level
- Supervise student research
- Conduct research publishable in top-tier academic journals and presses in the discipline
- Participate in departmental, professional and university service
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Political Science, History, or a related field at the time of appointment
- Experience in research and publishing in American constitutional thought, commensurate to the rank being sought at an R1 research university.
- Demonstrated record of successful teaching experience at the university level.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated record of successful, university-level, teaching experience as instructor of record in relevant courses in American civic thought and American constitutional thought, with emphasis on the American Founding and the Constitution’s structural and institutional features (federalism and the separation of powers).
- Experience teaching, as instructor of record, seminar-style courses in civic thought or American constitutionalism.
- Interest in connecting scholarship and teaching to civic education, constitutionalism, civic virtue, and the preparation of future leaders in America’s constitutional republic.
- Experience with public-facing civics initiatives, especially constitutional education in k-12 civics or in a civic thought unit at a university.
- For candidates at the rank of associate or full professor, administrative experience that would help with the responsibilities of the department’s Center for American Civics.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.
Application Instructions
The application deadline is October 16, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.
Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- A cover letter outlining research, teaching, and interest in SCETL’s mission/ Cover letter can be addressed to John von Heyking, Search Committee Chair.
- Up to three representative publications.
- Name and contact information of three references (name, email address, phone number). Letters will be requested from applicants progressing to the shortlist.
Questions about the position should be directed to the search committee chair at: jvonheyk@asu.edu.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
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