Assistant Professor in Korean Media Studies

The Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and the Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities invite applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in Korean Media Studies. This is a joint appointment split 50/50 between the two departments, with a tenure home in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Applicants' research and teaching should focus on Korean media and culture, including digital and networked media and art, video games, platforms, popular music, television, and/or film. The departments are particularly interested in applicants with a global, comparative, or transnational perspective who are engaged in the critical analysis of media's role in society. Secondary fields must include at least two among environmental humanities, media/digital theory, archival historiography, multimedia curating, the philosophical and theoretical literatures on the relation between aesthetics and politics, marxist critique of political economy, critical theory in a global context, comparative East Asian popular culture, the Cold War, feminism and queer/trans theory, postcolonial studies, and the study of migration and diaspora.

Candidates will be evaluated according to (a) overall quality of their academic preparation and scholarly work, (b) relevance of their scholarly research to the departments' academic priorities and fields of inquiry, (c) evidence of commitment to teaching, (d) strength of recommendations, (e) commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Applicants are expected to have an active research and/or creative program and contribute to service in the departments, college, university, and field. The faculty member will teach a 2-2 load (one course in each department per semester). In addition to university liberal education requirements, these courses will serve the two departments' majors and minors: Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature, and Studies in Cinema and Media Cultures. The faculty member will mentor students and teach seminars in the following graduate programs: MA Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, PhD Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures and Media, PhD Comparative Studies in Discourse and Society, and PhD Comparative Literature. Service will be divided equally between the two departments.

Appointment will be 100% time over the nine-month academic year. Appointment will be at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor consistent with collegiate and University policy. Advanced ABDs will be considered. Salary is competitive and will depend on the candidate's qualifications and experience, consistent with school, college, and university policy. This position is eligible for the University of Minnesota's standard benefits package available to benefits-eligible faculty and academic staff. This position is supported by a generous grant from the Korea Foundation.

Faculty in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and the Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research; develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

This position is subject to the Board of Regents Policy: Faculty Tenure, the Administrative Procedure: Procedures for Reviewing Candidates for Tenure and/or Promotion: Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty, and additional policies and procedures.

The Standards for Promotion and Tenure in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies are available here.

Information on faculty workload guidelines and principles in the College of Liberal Arts is available here.

A Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Media Studies, East Asian Studies, Comparative Literature, or related field is required. Native or near-native fluency in English and Korean is also required.

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

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To be considered for this position, please click the APPLY button and follow the instructions. You will have an opportunity to complete an online application for the position and to attach (1) a cover letter describing your interest in the position, your research and teaching interests, and your qualifications and experience; and (2) your curriculum vitae, which should include the names of three references who may be contacted directly by the search committee to provide letters of recommendation. (3) A writing sample of scholarly research (an article or chapter, published or not): this must be attached as an additional document through your "My Activities" page. Other additional materials also may be requested from candidates at a later date. Additional documents may be attached after the initial application by accessing your "My Activities" page. No postal submissions will be accepted.

To be assured of full consideration, please submit complete applications by October 1, 2024. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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).