Assistant Professor of Legal Studies Program, Department of Political Science & Commonwealth Ho...

University of Massachusetts - Amherst, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Amherst, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Assistant Professor of Legal Studies within the Department of Political Science and the Commonwealth Honors College. This is a tenure-track faculty position that will commence in Fall 2025. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the interdisciplinary Legal Studies Program, which is recognized as the oldest undergraduate liberal arts program for the study of law and society in the United States. The program is housed within the Department of Political Science and is dedicated to exploring significant questions regarding the role of law in society, particularly in relation to crime, punishment, and the carceral state, both in the U.S. and from a comparative perspective. The teaching responsibilities for this position include a 2/2 load, which consists of two Legal Studies courses and two Honors courses each academic year. The Honors courses may include the Honors Thesis Seminar or other courses that fulfill General Education requirements. Faculty members in the Commonwealth Honors College are also expected to engage actively with the Honors community, participate in annual meetings with the CHC Dean, and contribute to the broader academic life of their department, college, and university. The Legal Studies Program at UMass Amherst is a vibrant center for research and intellectual activity, aiming to produce the next generation of scholars in the field of law and society. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which houses the program, is affiliated with the Law and Society Association and the Center for Justice, Law, and Societies, further enhancing the academic environment for faculty and students alike. The Commonwealth Honors College is recognized for its commitment to providing a supportive and enriching educational experience for honors students, characterized by small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships that foster academic success and the development of honors theses.

Responsibilities

• Teach two Legal Studies courses and two Honors courses per academic year.
• Engage with the Commonwealth Honors College community and participate in annual meetings with the CHC Dean.
• Contribute to the academic life of the Department of Political Science and the university.
• Supervise and mentor students in their honors thesis projects.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology, or a related field by the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated evidence of quality teaching, such as summaries of teaching evaluations and a teaching statement.
• A statement explaining the candidate's understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and how they would contribute to these values at UMass.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with diverse student populations.
• Research interests that align with the themes of law, crime, and society.

Benefits

• Access to a vibrant academic community and resources for research and teaching.
• Opportunities for professional development and collaboration with other faculty members.