Assistant Professor in Comparative Politics or International Relations
The Lake Forest College Department of Politics and International Relations invites applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor in comparative politics or international relations with a specialization in Latin America to begin August 2022. Lake Forest College has a rich, interdisciplinary program in Latin American and Latinx Studies to which the successful candidate is expected to contribute significantly. We are seeking someone to teach Introduction to Comparative Politics and Introduction to Global Politics; a research methods survey course, required for Politics and International Relations majors, that includes qualitative and/or quantitative methods; and a broad range of other courses in comparative politics or international relations, with a focus on Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. And while we encourage candidates of all substantive interests to apply, those whose work focuses on issues of human rights, social movements, migration, indigenous communities, or populism are most welcome. Additionally, candidates with corollary research and/or teaching interests in the Latinx experience within the domestic United States are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should be aware of the many interdisciplinary programs Lake Forest College has to offer including African American Studies, American Studies, Urban Studies, and Social Justice. We also offer an “In the Loop” semester-long residential program in Chicago, as well as many courses emphasizing Chicago history, politics, and its diverse cultures. Lake Forest College’s proximity to Chicago provides an opportunity to use the city as a “laboratory” for student work and research. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to any of these programs and can incorporate students into their research programs.
Candidates will be expected to have a record of demonstrated teaching excellence and the promise of scholarly productivity. Ph.D. in political science, or a related field, must be completed by the start date in August 2022. Our teaching load is 3/3, with small classes (typically 15-25 students). We support faculty research through provision of student research assistants and summer research funds; successful passage of the third-year review earns a half-year sabbatical at full pay, in the fourth or fifth year of service. Tenure review takes place at the start of the sixth year. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, unofficial graduate transcript, a teaching statement that addresses diversity in a liberal arts setting, sample syllabi, a sample of scholarly writing, three confidential letters of recommendation, and student evaluations of teaching to search chair James J. Marquardt at latinamericasearch@mx.lakeforest.edu.
A highly selective liberal arts college located on Chicago’s North Shore, Lake Forest College enrolls approximately 1,600 students from more than 40 states and from more than 70 countries. Lake Forest is one of the most diverse small colleges in the Midwest with nearly 40% of our student body comprised of domestic minority and international students. At Lake Forest College, the quality of a faculty member’s teaching is the most important criterion for evaluation. Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. The application deadline is October 8, 2021.