Ethnic Studies: An Education for the 21^st Century

The Ethnic Studies Program at the University of Utah provides students with methodological and epistemological tools to study the histories, languages, identities, politics, and cultures of racialized, transnational, and indigenous populations in the U.S. We focus on critical examinations of social categories such as indigeneity, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and nation. We explore these issues with comparative, relational, and interdisciplinary frameworks in order to interrogate historical and contemporary questions of power, privilege, and inequity. The faculty in the Ethnic Studies Program engages in empirical and theoretical research, student centered teaching, and creative collaborations that promote social justice and challenge existing knowledge paradigms.

Ethnic Studies Program Announces Two Positions:

The Ethnic Studies Program invites applications for two tenured/tenure-track positions: 1) a
senior, tenured scholar to serve as the new Ethnic Studies Director, and 2) an advanced
Assistant through early Associate Professor position.

Ethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary, undergraduate program with current faculty drawn from
fields and disciplines in the Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Education, and Social
Work. Successful candidates will be jointly-appointed in the Ethnic Studies Program along with an
academic department related to their field of study. We focus on critical examinations of social
categories such as indigeneity, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and nation, and engage
in empirical and theoretical research, student-centered teaching, and creative collaborations that
promote social justice and challenge existing knowledge paradigms.
The successful candidates will need to demonstrate the ability to explore these issues with
comparative, relational, and/or interdisciplinary frameworks in order to interrogate the histories,
languages, identities, politics, arts, and cultures of racialized, transnational, and indigenous
populations in the U.S. As the only program to award the BS/BA in Ethnic Studies in the State of
Utah, the successful candidates will join a growing and dynamic team of talented scholars.
Program Director Position:
Areas of teaching and research interests are open. We seek an active scholar with a well defined
and successful research agenda, and with previous success in academic leadership in higher
education. The new Program Director functions as a department chair for Ethnic Studies, and
reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Equity and Diversity in the Senior Academic
Vice President’s Office. The Director must have the academic vision and administrative expertise
to help the Ethnic Studies program continue to grow as a central interdisciplinary academic
program for the University.
Advanced Assistant Professor through early Associate Professor Position:
We invite applications from candidates in Urban Planning, Social Sciences, the Law, Arts, or
Physical and Life Sciences, The candidate must possess demonstrated success as a scholar with
strong methodological skills, and be an exceptional teacher and advisor.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students
from diverse backgrounds, and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher
education for historically underrepresented students. Review of applications will begin November
1, 2011 and continue until the position is filled. Please submit (1) a letter describing the position
your are applying for along with teaching and research interests, (2) a curriculum vita, (3)
samples of scholarly work, and (4) three letters of recommendation, and (5) copies of teaching
evaluations online at: http://www.employment.utah.edu/
The University of Utah is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and educator.
Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans
preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information:
http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students
from diverse backgrounds, and possess a demonstrated commitment to improving access to
higher education for historically underrepresented students.