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

About The Job:

Course Development & Teaching 70%

• Develop course for assigned course(s)
• Prepare syllabus and lesson plans
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate students in assigned course(s)

Advising 25%

• Hold office hours to assist and advise students
• Engage and perform outreach with students

Other Responsibilities 5%

• Participate in relevant departmental meetings and/or other service
  

*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 to teaching experience at the same or similar course level. Demonstrated success with teaching, organizing, being collaborative, and mentoring students.

The Department of African 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 specialist 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 and activity report, attend meetings, and turn in student evaluations. Annual performance reviews are conducted each spring.

Pay Range: $5,000 - $8,000 per course for Teaching Specialists and $6,000- $9,000 per course for Lecturers; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

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 Activities" page and uploading documents there.

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.

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).