Teaching Assistant Professor of Economics
Advertiser: Economics, University of Denver
Field(s) of specialization: Economic History
Position type(s): Assistant Professor
Location of job: 2000 E. Asbury Ave., Denver, United States
Degree required: Doctorate
Job start date: 2023-09-01
Job duration: Continuing/permanent
Current search status: Position filled
Posting end date: 30 Jan 2023
Ad text:

The Economics Department at the University of Denver (DU) currently has eight tenure-line faculty and two teaching-line faculty. It is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As reflected in both their instruction and research, our faculty have a broader view of what economics is about than is found in the average Economics program in the US. We encourage students not to take in received knowledge as the truth but to examine it and question it. The Department thus offers a curriculum that emphasizes the understanding of the social apparatus which governs the production and distribution of goods and services, and of how economic theories have developed over time to address various topics covered in Economics. We present alternative perspectives on the historical and present-day relevance of our material, employing more primary sources and larger reading assignments than one finds in the typical US economics curriculum. Our approach lends itself readily to emphasizing the importance of writing and critical thinking beyond the rote acquisition of quantitative skills.

Position Summary

The Department of Economics seeks to hire a Teaching Assistant Professor (TAP; non-tenure-track) who will start September 1, 2023. Candidates must have a PhD or be ABD in Economics or a related discipline. If ABD, the degree must be completed no later than August 2024. To fill this position, we are seeking a heterodox economist who shows excellent ability in teaching. They must be able to offer required and elective courses in economics for undergraduate majors and minors as well as courses that contribute to the university’s Common Curriculum. Candidates must also show excellent teaching ability in our introductory courses “Economics: A Critical Introduction” and/or “Introduction to Macro and Microeconomics.” Teaching these courses requires familiarity with economic history, the history of economic thought, philosophy of social science, and heterodox as well as mainstream perspectives on economic theory and policy. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to integrate content that addresses different experiences across diverse populations, and pedagogical practices that foster equity and inclusion of students from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities. Additionally, they are encouraged to integrate service-learning, experiential learning, and other community engagement teaching methods into their courses. The teaching load is eight 4-credit-hour courses per academic year, spread over three 10-week quarters. This position requires contribution to the life and operation of the Department through participation in faculty meetings and service to the Department, College, and University.

The University of Denver recognizes that its success in being a great university dedicated to the public good depends greatly on how well it engages, supports, and champions the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. As part of our intentionality in recruiting and retaining faculty from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities, including those from communities of color, with diverse gender and sexual identities, first-generation college graduates, or with disabilities, new faculty will have the opportunity to choose to participate in a university-wide initiative. This initiative will connect new colleagues in a cohort, building community across units with supportive programming led by the Office of the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs in collaboration with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and each faculty participant’s academic unit. To learn more about the University of Denver’s commitments and work in support of DEI and J, please visit: https://www.du.edu/equity. For more information about this program or if you have any questions, please email inclusion@du.edu and/or visit https://duvpfa.du.edu/faculty-resources/prospective-faculty/.

Essential Functions

  • Teach eight 4-hour undergraduate-level courses per year over three quarters (fall, winter, spring) that reflect the candidate’s knowledge of general Economics commensurate with someone who has studied the subject at the doctoral level. Some courses may be contributions to DU’s Common Curriculum and may be taken by predominantly non-majors.
  • Advise undergraduate students.
  • Serve as a good academic citizen within the Department, the Economics profession, DU, and the community (e.g., through committee service, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The person we hire to fill this position will be expected to…

  • Demonstrate excellent ability in teaching required and elective courses for undergraduate students as well as courses for the University’s Common Curriculum.
  • Demonstrate excellent teaching ability in our introductory courses “Economics: A Critical Introduction” and/or “Introduction to Micro and Macroeconomics,” which requires familiarity with economic history, the history of economic thought, philosophy of social science, and heterodox as well as mainstream perspectives on economic theory and policy.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate content that addresses different experiences across diverse populations, and pedagogical practices that foster equity and inclusion of students from a wide variety of historically excluded intersecting identities.
  • Additionally, candidates will be encouraged to integrate community-engaged and experiential learning into their courses.
  • This position requires contribution to the life and operation of the Department through participation in faculty meetings and service to the Department, College, and University.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or ABD in Economics or a related discipline. If ABD, the degree must be completed no later than August 2024.
  • Minimum teaching experience: At least one term teaching Economics at the college level (minimum of 20 hours per week for one 10-week quarter or 15-week semester; may include experience acquired as a teaching assistant with at least a half teaching position).
  • Exposure to the history of economic thought and heterodox economic perspectives.
  • Willingness and ability to contribute to DEI through teaching or service.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Completed Ph.D. in Economics or a related discipline.
  • Experience teaching multiple Economics courses as a primary instructor at the college level.
  • Evidence of effective teaching.
  • Evidence of engagement with the history of economic thought and heterodox economic perspectives in teaching economics.
  • Evidence of contributions to the advancement of DEI through teaching and service.

Working Environment

1. Standard office and classroom environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
University operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This is a nine-month appointment. Teaching schedule to be determined with department chair and may include classes that end at 5:50p or later.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on January 30, 2023. Applications received after January 30, 2023, cannot be guaranteed consideration.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $67,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. Teaching Statement (including evidence of teaching ability, if available)
4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement addressing ability to make contributions to DEI through teaching and service

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Featured postings All postings