Assistant Professor of American Art History

Reference #: REQ0000060688
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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The Department of Art History at the Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of American Art, with a preferred research focus on African American, Asian American, Native Nations, Latinx, and/or Queer Studies. A field of specialization that complements departmental strengths in material studies or digital humanities is welcomed. An active research and publication agenda is required. The anticipated course load is 2-2, and the department values dynamic scholars who are prepared to lead survey-level courses, upper-level undergraduate courses in their field, and graduate seminars. Advising of majors, minors, and MA and PhD students is expected, as is service to the department, college, university, and field. The anticipated start date of the position is August 1, 2025.

Preference will be given to candidates who have a PhD in the history of art or a related discipline. Candidates who are ABD will be considered, but the PhD must be completed by the start date. Candidates should provide evidence of a commitment to developing a significant program of research as well as a commitment to excellence in teaching and advising. The College of Arts & Architecture is working to establish a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression that embraces individual identities, fosters a culture of inclusion, and promotes equity through curricula, values, standards, ideals, policies and practices. The ideal candidate will provide evidence of their experience with, and interest in, contributing to these goals and should provide evidence of a commitment to working collegially and with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Evidence of equitable considerations, awareness, and practice with regard to curriculum development, inclusive practices in educating diverse student bodies, and of working collectively to cultivate a culture that supports success and enables all members of a college community to thrive is an important requirement.

This is a tenure track, 36-week appointment with the possibility of supplementary summer appointments in research and/or teaching. Full University benefits apply. Penn State has a strong commitment to the diversity of its workforce. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must submit letter of application specifying qualifications for the position, a current curriculum vitae, a representative sample of scholarly publications or unpublished work, and three names, mail and e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of academic references. Applicants should address in their cover letter how equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging relates to teaching, research, and/or service experience. Applications received by November 15, 2024, are assured full consideration; however, applications will be received until the position is filled. To apply, upload requested materials into Penn States online application system (Workday). Inquiries may be directed to Search Committee Chair, Sarah K. Rich (skr10@psu.edu).

This job announcement is also available in alternate format. Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its orkforce.

The Pennsylvania State University
Penn State [http://www.psu.edu] is a comprehensive, multi-campus research university serving all regions of the Commonwealth, as well as the nation and the world in instruction, research, and service roles that require responsiveness to and support from societys public and private sectors. As a land-grant university, Penn State has responsibility for providing a wide array of programs in the professional and technical disciplines, as well as a balanced offering of undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts and sciences. Penn State shares with other major research universities the traditional responsibilities to discover, develop, preserve, and disseminate knowledge.
The University Park campus is located within State College, Pennsylvania, which was recently ranked number 5 in a ranking of top college towns by the American Institute for Economic Research, and number 15 in a ranking of the Safest College Towns in America by Safewise. Employment at Penn State offers incredible opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the central Pennsylvania outdoors combined with all the culture, sports, and entertainment a large university community can bring, and is within drivable distance from New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC.

The College of Arts & Architecture
Penn States College of Arts and Architecture proudly serves as one of the major cultural centers between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The college is a comprehensive arts community committed to artistic and scholarly creativity, research and the preparation of specialized practitioners in all of the arts and design disciplines; to undergraduate general arts courses for all students; and to community engagement in its programs. The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Art History, the H. Campbell and Eleanor R. Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the School of Music, the School of Theatre and the Penn State School of Visual Arts. Please visit the units websites to learn more about the degrees they offer to approximately 1,700 students. The college also includes the Center for the Performing Arts, the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State Centre Stage and Penns Woods Music Festival, which serve as important cultural resources that provide educational outreach programs for Penn State and area communities. In addition, the college is home to research centers and institutes, which help to foster a vibrant culture of inquiry that promotes excellence within the arts and design disciplines, while at the same time leveraging the potential of a comprehensive research university. The college is housed in sixteen buildings that include performance and exhibition spaces as well as specialized studios and labs.

The Department of Art History
The Department of Art History (https://arts.psu.edu/academics/department-of-art-history) is a collaborative community made up of an innovative group of scholars and students at the forefront of computer vision research and material studies with longstanding research strengths in American Art History. The Center for Virtual and Material Studies (https://arts.psu.edu/research-creative/center-for-virtual-material-studies), a university-level research center housed in the department, supports research into the materiality of historic objects and the virtual means of conveying materiality. Faculty frequently collaborate with the Palmer Museum of Art (https://palmermuseum.psu.edu/ ), which boasts a strong collection of American Art. The department offers BA, MA, and PhD degrees in Art History, undergraduate minors in art history and architectural history, and a museum studies certificate. Our graduates report high satisfaction with the quality of instruction they receive and their