Assistant Professor Tenure-Track of Art History

Job Title

Assistant Professor Tenure-Track of Art History

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

Visual Arts and Design

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

The Department of Visual Arts and Design invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Art History. We seek a dynamic scholar and educator with a commitment to teaching excellence, innovative research, and fostering critical engagement with the visual arts

This is a 9-month tenure-track position located on Tarleton's Stephenville campus in Stephenville, Texas. Summer appointment is dependent upon need and funding availability. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate. May be required to teach at other campuses or online at the institution's discretion.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching, maintain an impactful research program, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, actively engage in mentoring and guiding doctoral students through their academic and research endeavors, fostering a supportive and enriching environment within our PhD program, and participate in the necessary operation of the institution.

• The Public and Applied Humanities PhD is under submission and awaiting THECB and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approval with a proposed launch date of Fall 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

60 % Teaching and Service:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.
• Teaching course expectations:
  • Art Appreciation general education courses
  • Art History survey courses
  • A range of upper-level courses in visual and material culture relevant to contemporary concerns in visual arts & design
• Develop course syllabi, select instructional materials, and design assessments such as exams, quizzes, papers, etc.
• Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
• Engage students in active learning, foster critical thinking skills, and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
• Provide academic support and guidance to students through office hours, feedback on assignments, and mentoring.
• Adhere to university policies, academic integrity standards, and accreditation requirements related to teaching responsibilities.
• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.
• Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay current in the field, improve teaching skills, and explore new instructional strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues, departmental faculty, and university staff to coordinate course offerings, share resources, and contribute to program development and improvement.
• Participate in institutional service roles including but not limited to, college committees, advisory committees, student/faculty recruitment, and mentoring of new and part-time faculty.

40 % Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:

• Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant's academic discipline.
• Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant's discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
• Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

Minimum Requirements:

• Earned PhD in Art History, Visual Culture Studies, or related field from an accredited university.
  • Candidates who are ABD (dissertation complete, only defense remaining) will be considered only if the conferral date is prior to the appointment start date.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teach modern art in a broad transcultural, transregional context.
• Strong understanding of contemporary art history which might include non-Western art history.
• Demonstrated interest in Digital Humanities is highly desirable

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction; written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities; ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner.

Commensurate with experience

The target base annual salary is $60,000 commensurate with experience and may be negotiable based on funding availability and candidate experience/skillset in relation to the minimum requirements of this position. Tarleton State University offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. As part of the Tarleton family, the following benefits are also available to full time and qualifying part time employees:

Educational Benefits - employee perks that help enrich, grow, and foster career and professional development:

• Family Education Benefit (Tuition Scholarship) - scholarship opportunities for Tarleton employees, their spouses, or their dependents available after 6 months of continued full-time employment. Click the link to learn more about this incredible Texan benefit!
• Doctoral Educational Assistance - Full-time budgeted employees at all A&M System Universities, Agencies, and System Offices are qualified for reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees. Eligibility: This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first doctorate degree only to full-time, budgeted employees who have been in a position no less than 2 long semesters. Click the link for additional details!

Employee Health, Wellness, and Financial Planning

• Fully covered employee health insurance
• Reimbursement of Insurance Premium Deductions! The State of Texas contributes to eligible employees' insurance coverages as of the 1st day of the month following 60 days of employment in an eligible position. For those who elect coverage PRIOR to the first of the month after 60 days of employment, Tarleton State University will reimburse employees the State contribution towards health coverage during those first 60 days.
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement and Insurance programs

Paid Leave

Tarleton employees enjoy one of the greatest PTO packages in the area!

• Paid sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Vacation
• Longevity pay
• Paid Birthday Leave - Tarleton State University awards all leave-eligible employees paid time off for their birthday!

Other

• Complimentary tickets to all Athletic and Performing Fine Arts events
• Tarleton Employees enjoy two complimentary general admission tickets for athletics and performing fine arts events on campus! Join Texan Nation on the bleachers or in the auditorium.
• Employee Wellness Release Time
• Staff Gym Membership Discount with Campus Recreation
• and other Tarleton Discounts

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a completed application for consideration. Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Application Procedure:

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents, and Submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via the "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include (required):

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information
• Unofficial transcripts

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered. Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. "See resume" is not an acceptable entry in the job application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree-granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.