As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 6,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer master's or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.
The Department of Political Science consists of active scholars offering the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Denver. Our undergraduate program of study serves approximately 200 majors and students across campus in the common curriculum. Our faculty value inclusive excellence: a commitment by all constituents to create an academic experience that embraces and engages diverse perspectives and communities within an atmosphere of mutual respect. Our curriculum endeavors to develop students' ability to think critically, communicate clearly, write effectively, and develop compelling argumentation based on justifiable sources of empirical evidence and analytical reasoning.
Position Summary
The Department of Political Science invites applications for a non-tenure track, part-time Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor in the field of political theory for the 2025-26 academic year. The candidate hired will teach four in-person, on campus courses across three quarters, with at least three of these courses in the field of political theory. Successful candidates will demonstrate a record of excellence in undergraduate teaching and a strong commitment to constructively engaging students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
Essential Functions
- Teach undergraduate courses in political theory, including introductory and upper-division offerings.
- Deploy best practices for classroom technology through the University of Denver's online learning platform, Canvas, utilizing Canvas tools such discussion boards, quizzes, assignments with uploaded files, and the gradebook as the means to collect student work and communicate feedback and assignment grades.
- Meet outside of class in weekly office hours to provide guidance and assistance to students enrolled in courses taught.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Advanced scholarly expertise in political theory (ABD/PhD level).
- Excellent skills in oral and written communication.
- Ability to interact constructively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
- ABD in political science or relevant interdisciplinary social sciences area with specialization in political theory.
- Experience teaching undergraduate courses in political science, particularly in political theory.
- Experience using course management software as part of a conventional in-person class.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in political science or relevant field.
- Experience teaching both introductory and upper-division undergraduate courses, as the instructor of record, in political theory.
- Experience using the Canvas course management software.
- Strong teaching evaluations and/or other evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Working Environment
1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
Academic year 2025-2026; exact schedule to be coordinated with department chair.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) April 13, 2025.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Please reach out to Search Committee Chair Alena Wolflink, Alena.Wolflink@du.edu, with any questions.
Salary Grade
The salary grade for this position is UC.
Salary Rate
The salary range for this position is $25,000.00
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter (1-2 pages)
- Evidence of teaching effectiveness, provided via at least one (or several) of the following:
- At least one sample course syllabus
- Teaching evaluations
- Contact information for 3 professional references who can speak to the candidate’s teaching.
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.