What are the responsibilities and job description for the Institute of American Civics - Lecturer/Teaching Assistant Professor, Non-Tenure Track Faculty ... position at Inside Higher Ed?
Institute of American Civics - Lecturer/Teaching Assistant Professor, Non-Tenure Track Faculty (Fall 2026)
Location:
Institute of American Civics, Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Open Date
Feb 15, 2026
Description
The Institute of American Civics (IAC), located within the Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a full-time non-tenure track faculty at the rank of Lecturer or Teaching Assistant Professor (depending on qualifications) to begin August 1, 2026. This faculty member will teach undergraduate courses in American civics, American political institutions, and the constitutional foundations of the Republic. The teaching load will be 4-4 on a 9-month appointment. The faculty member may be asked to teach a combination of in-person and online courses.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.
The Institute of American Civics (IAC) was created to enhance education in politics, economics, philosophy, American history, and American government as well as increase understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship; fundamental democratic principles; and the ways in which those principles are expressed in and through our federal, state, and local institutions.
Qualifications
Lecturer
Candidates must have a terminal degree in Political Science, History, Law, or another relevant field by August 1, 2026.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the mission of the IAC by teaching courses in American institutions, the constitutional foundations of American government, American political thought, and civic engagement. Ability and willingness to participate in public engagement activities is a plus.
Teaching Assistant Professor
Candidates must have a terminal degree in Political Science, History, Law, or another relevant field by August 1, 2026.
Candidates must provide evidence of teaching effectiveness and demonstrate a commitment to service to the University and the broader community.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the mission of the IAC by teaching courses in American institutions, the constitutional foundations of American government, American political thought, and civic engagement. Ability and willingness to participate in public engagement activities is a plus.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following via Interfolio:
A cover letter explaining their relevant teaching experience and commitment to the Institute’s mission;
A current CV;
Graduate transcripts;
Teaching evaluations; and
A list of three references.
Review of applications will begin March 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or inquiries, contact Search Committee chair Andrew Busch at abusch1@utk.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Location:
Institute of American Civics, Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
Open Date
Feb 15, 2026
Description
The Institute of American Civics (IAC), located within the Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a full-time non-tenure track faculty at the rank of Lecturer or Teaching Assistant Professor (depending on qualifications) to begin August 1, 2026. This faculty member will teach undergraduate courses in American civics, American political institutions, and the constitutional foundations of the Republic. The teaching load will be 4-4 on a 9-month appointment. The faculty member may be asked to teach a combination of in-person and online courses.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.
The Institute of American Civics (IAC) was created to enhance education in politics, economics, philosophy, American history, and American government as well as increase understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship; fundamental democratic principles; and the ways in which those principles are expressed in and through our federal, state, and local institutions.
Qualifications
Lecturer
Candidates must have a terminal degree in Political Science, History, Law, or another relevant field by August 1, 2026.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the mission of the IAC by teaching courses in American institutions, the constitutional foundations of American government, American political thought, and civic engagement. Ability and willingness to participate in public engagement activities is a plus.
Teaching Assistant Professor
Candidates must have a terminal degree in Political Science, History, Law, or another relevant field by August 1, 2026.
Candidates must provide evidence of teaching effectiveness and demonstrate a commitment to service to the University and the broader community.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the mission of the IAC by teaching courses in American institutions, the constitutional foundations of American government, American political thought, and civic engagement. Ability and willingness to participate in public engagement activities is a plus.
Application Instructions
Applicants should submit the following via Interfolio:
A cover letter explaining their relevant teaching experience and commitment to the Institute’s mission;
A current CV;
Graduate transcripts;
Teaching evaluations; and
A list of three references.
Review of applications will begin March 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. For questions or inquiries, contact Search Committee chair Andrew Busch at abusch1@utk.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.