2025/2026 Teaching Specialist or Lecturer: African American & African Studies

Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate or graduate students in assigned course(s), hold office hours to assist and advise students, and participate in relevant departmental meetings.

*The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Teaching Specialist.
• Ph.D. degree in education or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Lecturer.
• For Spanish for Special Purposes courses, other relevant professional degrees will be considered (e.g. a Master's in Public Health for the instructor of a course on Medical Spanish)
• Two years post-secondary teaching experience in the relevant or related field.
• Demonstration of commitment to quality teaching and program development
• Strong English language communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Positive evaluations from students, peers, and/or supervisors.
• Prior teaching experience at the same or similar course level.
• Demonstrated success with teaching, organizing, being collaborative, and mentoring students.
  

The Department ofAfrican American & African Studies Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs teaching specialists or lecturers to teach courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty or graduate students. Openings of this kind sometimes occur for teaching evening and summer session, as well as day courses and courses offered through Independent and Remote Learning. The courses are primarily introductory or survey courses. These positions are temporary and part-time.

This does not constitute a posting for vacancies, but establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur during the 2025/26 academic year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis through the academic year. This is a temporary, non-tenured, Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) position, paid on a per course basis. These appointments are typically arranged semester by semester and employment is contingent upon the course meeting its enrollment target. Appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Teaching specialists and lecturers will be expected to teach classes, hold office hours, turn in grades, participate in department service, respond to student and department inquiries, submit an activity report, attend meetings, and turn in student evaluations. Annual performance reviews are conducted each spring.

The Department of African American & African Studies plays an important role in the University's rich liberal arts tradition. The department offers students opportunities to explore American cultural diversity and the wide diversity of the African continent. An undergraduate major in African American & African Studies provides students with a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the cultural and historical experiences of African American & African peoples from a multidisciplinary perspective including history, political science, sociology, psychology, literature, music, and art. Courses and faculty are drawn from the department as well as from other units of the University.
http://www.aaaas.umn.edu/

Pay Range: Teaching Specialists $5,000.00 - $8,000.00 per course, Lecturers $6,000.00 - $9,000.00 per course; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 50%-74% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Retirement plans
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications will not be acknowledged but will be reviewed when such openings occur throughout the academic year. Applications must be updated or re-submitted for each academic year. This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).