Slavic and East European Languages
Assistant Professor of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
Oberlin College - Oberlin, Ohio
Job Summary: The Russian Department and the Russian and East European Studies Curricular Committee at Oberlin College invites applications for a full-time tenure track faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences in Russian language, literature, and culture. We seek a dynamic, versatile, and broadly interdisciplinary scholar and pedagogue who shows strong potential for future leadership in both the program and the college, who can teach the Russian language at multiple levels, and who can offer a range of courses in translation, for a broad audience of majors and non-majors alike, on 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century Russian literature and corollary areas such as film, visual arts, music and the performing arts, philosophy, environmental studies, food studies, gender studies, the medical humanities, or the intersection of culture and politics. The ability to teach across multiple periods is desirable, as is secondary expertise in other (non-Russian) cultural traditions (including Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Siberia). Initial appointment to this position will be for a term of four years, beginning fall semester of 2023, and will carry the rank of Assistant Professor.
About: Founded in 1833, Oberlin is a private four-year, highly selective national liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the US to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into PhD programs.
The Oberlin Russian Department and Russian and East European Studies Curricular Committee are presently transitioning to a single, interdisciplinary Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies Program, whose membership will include core faculty teaching Russian language and literature as well as affiliate faculty in a range of other departments (History, Politics, Sociology, East Asian Studies, Studio Art). The REEES Program will offer two majors: one in Russian (with a focus on Russian language, literature, and culture), and another in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. We are also home to the Oberlin Center for Russia, East European, and Central Asian Studies (OCREECAS), which over twenty plus years has sent dozens of students on internships in Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia and has brought a wide array of scholars, journalists, and artists from Russia and elsewhere to campus to lecture and teach.
Responsibilities: The incumbent will teach the standard teaching load (4.5 courses per year) in the general area of Russian language (at multiple levels) and Russian literature and culture, both in English and in the original. The successful candidate will also contribute regularly to Oberlin’s First year Seminar Program, share responsibilities with other faculty for directing our student-taught Winter Term Elementary Russian Intensive, and participate actively in shaping and running both the REEES program and OCREECAS.
The incumbent will also be expected to engage in sustained scholarly research and/or other creative work appropriate to the position and participate in the full range of faculty responsibilities, including academic advising and service on committees.
Qualifications: Among the qualifications required for appointment is the Ph.D. in Russian Literature (in hand or expected by first semester of academic year 2023) and native or near-native fluency in Russian. Candidates must demonstrate strong interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching; successful teaching experience at the college level is highly desirable. Oberlin College is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.
Quick Link for Posting: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/13243
Compensation: Within the range established for this position, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive benefits package.
To apply: A complete application will be comprised of: 1) a Cover Letter describing your teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service, detailing any connections to supporting an inclusive learning environment; 2) a Curriculum Vitae; 3) an unofficial graduate transcript; 4) a statement (or statements) on your teaching philosophy and expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion; 5) a research statement that includes how you will support undergraduate research and, if applicable, how you might incorporate undergraduate students into your research program; and 6) a representative writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages/6000-8000 words; 7) Letters of Reference from three recommenders.* All application materials must be submitted electronically through Oberlin College and Conservatory’s online application process at: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/. Initial interviews by zoom.
*By providing three letters of reference, you agree that we may contact your letter writers.
Review of applications will begin on Dec. 15, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled. Completed applications received by the Dec. 15, 2022 deadline will be guaranteed full consideration.
Questions about the position can be addressed to Thomas Newlin, Chair of Russian, at thomas.newlin@oberlin.edu.
Posted on November 15, 2022.