"Faculty - Assistant Professor - Civic and Constitutional Thought"

Position Announcement

The Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University invites applications for a tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor of Civic and Constitutional Thought. The standard teaching load for tenure-track faculty at UVU is four courses per semester. UVU, the state's largest public university, sits at the base of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range amid a spectacular landscape in Orem, Utah. Its main campus is just minutes from Provo Canyon and Sundance Ski Resort, and just a short drive from Salt Lake City.

The Center for Constitutional Studies is a nonpartisan academic institute that promotes the instruction, study, and research of constitutionalism, seeking to cultivate a broad understanding of the ideas and practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law. Since 2021, the Center has been home to Utah's Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative, a legislatively established program that directs the Center 'to facilitate nonpartisan political discussion, provide civic education and research, [and] provide courses in, and related, to philosophy, history, economics, and political science.'

This position will serve the Center's flourishing and expanding academic programs and research projects. Academic programs served by this position include a Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law (MACGCL), which boasts a research track and a teaching track in partnership with the UVU School of Education. At the undergraduate level, the Center contributes to general education in America's founding principles, political institutions, constitutional history, and economic system through the American Heritage course as well as a minor in Constitutional Studies and robust summer study abroad programs in civic thought and constitutional studies. This position will play a key role in expanding the curricular offerings of the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative through development of new courses and degrees in furtherance of the CTLI legislative mandate.

Among the Center's research programs, the most relevant to this position is our long-standing collaboration with the Quill Project at Pembroke College, Oxford University. The Center's projects document and model the deliberations of state and federal constitutional conventions and legislative bodies. These are supported by public and private funding, including major NEH and NHPRC-NARA grants, and engage UVU undergraduates in meaningful collaboration. Current projects include the deliberations of the Continental Congress on the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, early state constitutions, state constitutions written in the shadow of the Civil War, and the drafting of the Reconstruction Amendments. Preference will be given to candidates who can contribute substantially to these academic programs and research projects, especially through additional summer teaching in the MACGCL program.

Candidates should submit their application materials through the UVU Jobs site. Required materials include a cover letter detailing the candidate's qualifications and potential contributions to the Center's programs, a curriculum vitae, a writing sample, and student evaluations from courses taught in the last three years or other evidence of potential for teaching excellence for those without a robust record of teaching.

The Committee will begin reviewing applications October 3, 2025. For guaranteed consideration, please apply before that date. Questions about the position should be directed to Robert Burton via email at rburton@uvu.edu.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Teach courses related to the American founding, civic thought and leadership, constitutional studies, and other areas within the faculty member's expertise.
• Develop and implement a curriculum related to Civic Thought and Leadership and Constitutional Studies in close collaboration with CCS.
• Research in the fields of philosophy, history, economics, or political science.
• Service to CCS, the department, college, university, and community by attending meetings, serving on committees, accepting other duties as assigned, and participating in the intellectual life of CCS.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Ph.D. in political science, constitutional studies, history, philosophy, or a related field, or a terminal degree in law.
• Teaching experience and scholarly interests in American political, civic, or constitutional thought or history.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in politics, constitutional studies, history, or philosophy.
• Record of excellent teaching and published scholarship in the areas of American political thought and history, civil discourse, constitutional law, civil liberties, civic leadership, and the history of political philosophy.
• Record of excellence in developing curriculum and academic programs.
• Record of excellence working on interdisciplinary endeavors across disciplines and colleges.
• Record of excellence in teaching graduate-level courses.
• Experience delivering civics professional development for K-12 teachers.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample
• Curriculum Vitae
• If you have teaching experience, please include the last three years of SRIs or other evidence of potential for teaching excellence for those without a robust record of teaching

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Skills

• Excellent academic teaching, administration, communication, and research skills.
• Demonstrated skill in developing curriculum and overseeing academic programs.

Abilities

• Ability to teach university-level courses and develop curriculum related to civic thought and leadership, constitutional studies, and civil discourse.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Ability to navigate controversial questions and interact effectively with students and colleagues of diverse perspectives.