Professor of Environmental Studies - Oberlin College

The Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences. Initial appointment to this position will begin August 2009, will be for a term of four years. Rank will depend on experience and can range from assistant professor to endowed chair.

We seek candidates who address environmental issues in compelling and original ways from a humanities perspective. We seek a colleague who is excited about participating in expanding and creatively developing an Environmental Studies program that is already nationally recognized for excellence. Applications from candidates who bridge two or more disciplines within the humanities (such as religion, ethics, philosophy, law; visual arts, literature, film, history, journalism) are particularly welcome.

The successful candidate will teach five courses during the year, including one section of our introductory course /Environment and Society/, which provides majors and non-majors with a broad introduction to the status of the environment, the causes of environmental dilemmas, and the options available for solving environmental problems. The candidate will be involved in developing and will teach a second required course that will develop students’ capacity to understand the ways in which humans conceptualize, interpret, and value their engagements with nature and the environment. Additional intermediate and upper level courses would be based on the particular expertise of the faculty member, but could potentially focus on such issues as environmental rhetoric, environmental justice, technology and the environment, and comparative perspectives on religion, ethics and the environment. The faculty member will be expected to participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including: supervision of student research, academic advising, service on committees, and sustained scholarly research.

Among the qualifications required for appointment is the Ph. D. or appropriate terminal degree. Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching and sustaining active scholarly research. Successful teaching experience at the college level is highly desirable.

To be assured of consideration, complete materials including a letter of application, statement of research and teaching interests, /curriculum vitae/, undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts, and at least three letters of reference should be sent to John Petersen, Director, Environmental Studies Program, A.J. Lewis Center, 122 Elm Street, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 44074, by October 23, 2008. Fax (440)775-8946. Application materials received after that date will be considered until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Oberlin College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the development of a climate that supports equality of opportunity and respect of differences based on gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation. Oberlin was the first coeducational institution to grant bachelor's degrees to women and historically has been a leader in the education of African-Americans; the college was also among the first to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals who would contribute to the diversity of our faculty.