Faculty - Assistant Professor of Philosophy

About North Park

Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world. Located for over 125 years on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today Chicago’s northside, NPU has recently been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and is committed to serving diverse populations. Elevating North Park University’s core distinctives of Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, NPU values diversity among its Faculty and is committed to building a racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages the nomination and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

Duties and Responsibilities
The College of Arts and Sciences at North Park University seeks applicants with a Ph.D. in Philosophy for a full-time tenure-track position in the Department of Philosophy. The rank of the position would begin in August 2024 as Assistant or Associate Professor.

The department is grounded in both a historical and topical approach to the discipline and practices of the philosophical life. For many years, the faculty (consisting of 3 full time tenure lines), has been versed in Continental and American philosophical traditions and maintained an active dialog with Christian theology and ethics. The historical courses include a 3-semester sequence into Western and Eastern philosophy. The topical courses cover both intro and advanced level course in such courses as Philosophy of Art, Religion, Nature, and Culture.

This is a philosophy hire where the ideal candidate will significantly contribute to the diverse profile of course offerings. Each fall and spring semester, the successful candidate will carry three teaching loads. One load is the equivalent of teaching one four semester hours. Upon starting the position, half of the total load each year will consist of 3 sections of an Introduction to the Humanities course that all 1st year students must take. There is flexibility in the topic and syllabus of these courses and they may all share the same syllabus or be different. Of the other 3 departmental courses required each year, the candidate will teach:

1) Every year, the 2nd course in the historical sequence – “Modern and Contemporary Philosophy” – I.e. A historical survey course from Descartes to the Present.

2) Every other year, a “Logic” course – which also serves the Pre-Law track.

3) Every year, One “Introductory Topics in Philosophy” course (topic chosen by professor in consultation with department)

4) Every other year, one advanced philosophy course (topic chosen by professor in consultation with department)

Additional proficiencies in teaching to one or more of the following areas are advantageous: Latin American philosophy, African American philosophy, or Feminist philosophy.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in philosophy, have experience teaching 1st and 2nd year college students, and have an active research practice and publication(s) relevant to their teaching expertise. Departmental and broader responsibilities include advising and mentoring undergraduate students, maintaining a focused scholarly agenda, and participating in university-wide service. Rank and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required:

• Earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy, though we will consider ABD candidates who have their doctoral defense scheduled in 2025.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence.
• Active relevant scholarly agenda.
• Commitment to multi-ethnic contexts.
• Ability to collaborate multi-disciplinary spaces.
• Possess a clear understanding and personal commitment to North Park University’s mission of Christian higher education.
• Adopt a collegial approach to working with other faculty and staff.

Desired:

• Demonstrate proficiency in teaching both historical (e.g. modern European philosophy) and contemporary topics.
• Additional proficiencies in teaching to one or more of the following areas are advantageous: Latin American philosophy, African American philosophy, or Feminist philosophy.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Prescription Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Remission
• Helwig Recreation Center