Position offered by Department of History of Art and Architecture and the College of General Studies at the University of Pittsburgh

The Department of History of Art and Architecture (HAA) and the College of General Studies (CGS) at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for a full-time Teaching Assistant Professor (TAP) whose teaching would support majors in both units and the shared general education curriculum. The Department of History of Art and Architecture has a robust undergraduate program that supports three majors in the History of Art and Architecture, Museum Studies, and Architectural Studies. The College of General Studies hosts a related major in Media and Professional Communication. This permanent position, which is outside the tenure stream, may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

We are seeking a capacious thinker and innovative teacher whose scholarship engages the histories of art, architecture, design, digital media, and/or visual communication. The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences has recently implemented a Digital Studies and Methods certificate at the undergraduate level (DSAM). CGS offers a Digital Media curriculum within its Media and Professional Communication track and certificate. We seek a colleague who will contribute to and advance these digital initiatives across schools. In HAA, the TAP will teach a course that meets the core foundation requirement for the DSAM certificate, either “Digital Humanity,” “The Viral Image,” or a comparable course of their design that would expand this curriculum. The TAP will be encouraged to develop another course that builds on their areas of expertise and expands the current offerings of the department.

The Teaching Assistant Professor (TAP) will teach the equivalent of three (3-credit) courses each fall and spring at the undergraduate level (6 courses per academic year). Two courses per semester will be taught fully online through the CGS and the other will be an in-person, synchronous course taught in the History of Art and Architecture department (requires on-site and in-person teaching). The TAP will also be expected to mentor undergraduate students beyond the classroom as appropriate to their educational needs, and to provide service to HAA and to CGS, to be arranged with the Chair and Dean, respectively.

Duties

  • Teaching four online courses per year for CGS, that meet requirements for the digital media programs
  • Teaching two in-person courses per year for HAA, one of which meets the core requirements of the DSAM certificate or a course on the history of design and/or visual media that integrates the mindful use of digital technologies, methods, or approaches to this material. The other undergraduate course would be of interest to majors in the History of Art and Architecture, Museum Studies, Architectural Studies, Media and Professional Communications, Studio Arts, and/or those pursuing the DSAM certificate
  • Meeting with students to provide support for their learning and mentoring that is appropriate to their educational needs
  • Contributing service to initiatives and public-facing projects in HAA and CGS

Requirements and Application

Minimum Requirements:

  • Advanced ABD (Ph.D. in hand by September 1, 2024) in the histories of art, architecture, design, digital media, and/or visual communication
  • Some experience teaching at the college level
  • Some experience with online teaching and online course development at the college level

Preferred Requirements:

  • PhD in the histories of art, design, digital media, visual and material culture, and/or visual communication
  • Experience as instructor of record for a course in the histories of art, architecture, design, digital media, and/or visual communication at the college level
  • Proven investment in innovative pedagogical practices
  • Experience working with and/or commitment to non-traditional students and their needs
  • Experience teaching courses in a fully online format
  • Candidate whose teaching, mentorship, and service will contribute diverse perspectives and experiences to the HAA department, CGS, and university initiatives.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Teaching Online at CGS website prior to submitting an application.

To Apply

Applications should include:

  • Cover letter of 1-2 pages, addressed to Mrinalini Rajagopalan, Chair, Department of History of Art and Architecture. Include a description of your teaching experience.
  • Current CV, including a list of courses taught.
  • Teaching Portfolio (12 pages max) which includes:
    1. A statement of teaching philosophy and articulation of pedagogical practices in synchronous and online teaching
    2. One brief course description for the Media and Professional Communications major in the College of General Studies
    3. One brief course description that demonstrates innovative and digitally-inflected approaches to the history of art and architecture and related disciplines
    4. Evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as student or peer evaluations, model assignments, and/or an abbreviated syllabus that outlines learning goals, assessment strategies, and a sample module
  • Diversity Statement of 1-2 pages, in which you share how your past, planned, or potential contributions or experiences relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion will advance the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to inclusive excellence
  • Three confidential recommendation letters addressed to Mrinalini Rajagopalan, Chair, Department of History of Art and Architecture, and sent directly by recommenders to her email address: [email protected] with a cc to Evan Zajdel, Administrative Officer, HAA Department ([email protected]).