Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar
History Faculty
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | Qatar |
Position: | Assistant Professor |
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts in Qatar
Position:History Faculty
Department: Liberal Arts & Sciences
Position Number: F28470
Location:Doha, Qatar
Position Begins: August 11, 2013
Review of Applications Begin: The review of applications is ongoing and will continue until position is filled.
VCUQatar (www.qatar.vcu.edu) is the Qatar campus of the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, VCUQatar offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design, interior design and painting & printmaking; Bachelor of Arts in art history, and, a Master of Fine Arts degree in design studies. Located in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, VCUQatar is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The current student body represents a diverse range of nationalities with students coming from more than 40 different countries.
VCUQatar strives to provide an engaged, learner-centered environment that fosters inquiry, discovery and innovation in a global setting. The university hosts the biennial international design conference Tasmeem Doha and supports the biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Islamic Art Symposium, attracting globally recognized designers, academics and thinkers while fostering sustainable, university-community partnerships that enhance the educational, economic and cultural vitality of Qatar. The university has substantial involvement with the emerging design industries in Qatar and is a significant catalyst for that growth. It has established itself as a center of excellence for education and research in art and design.
VCUQatar has 131 full-time faculty and staff and a student body of 249. VCUQatar was the first campus established in Education City, a unique 2500-acre campus community. Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Carnegie-Mellon University, Texas A&M University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Northwestern University, HEC Paris and UCL have since joined the university.
Qatar is a liberal, hospitable and progressive country in the Arabian Gulf and remains one of the healthiest economies in the Gulf region. English is the standard second language and the population of Qatar is approximately 1.65 million and growing – 350,000 Qatari, the remainder expatriates. Doha offers all the conveniences found in a contemporary and cosmopolitan city, and also maintains a traditional Arab flavor, evident in the old markets and the city’s Islamic Arab architecture. The Museum of Islamic Art, designed by I.M.Pei opened in November 2008 and the Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf) opened in 2010. The US Embassy considers Qatar among the safest countries in the world for Americans.
Position Description
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program seeks applications for a new 9-month faculty position to teach history courses at the undergraduate level. The period and field of specialization are open. However, scholars with an interest and knowledge of Middle Eastern History, and/or secondary interest in Religious Studies are strongly encouraged to apply. This position will be responsible for teaching and developing history courses in his/her area of specialization to support the Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum. This includes teaching introductory world history survey courses and specialized upper-division history electives, with content focus that will complement the curricular needs in the humanities, including the new BA in Art History program. The faculty will also work closely with instructional support constituents, such as a Writing Center. The candidate must show a commitment in exploring innovative pedagogic strategies in a culturally diverse context.
This position will be responsible for teaching and developing history courses in his/her area of specialization to support the Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum. This includes teaching introductory world history survey courses and specialized upper-division history electives, with content focus that will complement the curricular needs in the humanities, including the new BA in Art History program. The faculty will also work closely with instructional support constituents, such as a Writing Center. The candidate must show a commitment in exploring innovative pedagogic strategies in a culturally diverse context.
The successful candidate will join a team of highly collaborative and dynamic faculty members in the Liberal Arts and Science program, as well as in the Fine Arts Departments. Class sizes are small (typically 10-15:1 ratio) and history courses are offered as electives to students in art history, visual arts, and design programs. It is therefore essential that the candidate demonstrate competency in teaching history across disciplines, and can offer an educational approach that will suit students with diverse cultural backgrounds. Additional responsibilities include engaging in the development and delivery of significant research activity, participating in academic advising, and providing service to the department, university, the community in Qatar, and the profession, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- PhD degree in history or related field is required.
- Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, with a minimum of two (2) years experience teaching at the undergraduate level English-language university settings is required.
- Established record of accomplishments in research or professional work in area of specialization is strongly preferred.
- Ability to teach courses cross-listed with Religious Studies is strongly preferred.
- Must possess verbal and written fluency in English, as all courses are taught in English.
- Must have strong collaborative and communication skills, and demonstrate enthusiasm toward teaching and interacting within in a multicultural environment.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU and VCUQatar.
Benefits
- Competitive international salary
- Tax protection for U.S. Taxpayers
- 30% Off-shore supplement to base salary
- Medical Insurance (100% employer funded premium and employer cost shared options available)
- Fully furnished villa or apartment including wireless internet
- Annual travel allowance to home of record (to include a spouse and dependents relocated to Qatar)
- Monthly transportation allowance
- Educational reimbursement for up to 4 dependent children enrolled in an accredited K-12 program
- International Professional Development and Research Opportunities
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Contact: |
Application Process: Qualified applicants who have a record of achievement appropriate to VCUQatar should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, research statement, statement of teaching philosophy, and the names of five references including email and telephone contact information to Tomaree Porter (tlporter@vcu.edu), Human Resources Administrator, and Qatar Support Office. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted. |
Website: | www.qatar.vcu.edu |
Primary Category: | None |
Secondary Categories: | History Education |
Posting Date: | 04/02/2013 |
Closing Date | 05/25/2013 |