Department/Organization
204281 - American Culture & Society
Rank
Associate/Full Professor
Position Summary
The Barefield College of Arts and Sciences seeks applications for the position of Chair of the Department of American Culture & Society, with appointment to begin August 1, 2027.
Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama is now accepting applications for an administrative faculty position as Chair of the Department of American Culture and Society. The Department of American Culture and Society was formed in January 2026 by combining the Departments of Gender and Race Studies and American Studies. The BA and MA programs of both interdisciplinary programs have been at the University of Alabama for more than forty years. Offering an undergraduate major in either African American Studies or American Studies, minors in both areas, as well as undergraduate minors in Women's Studies, Southern Studies, and Sociology and MA programs in Women's Studies and American Studies, the new Department fulfills an important academic mission for the University. The Department provides courses that enroll more than 11000 students a year. Students graduating from the MA program in American Studies or in Women's Studies regularly go on to attend top-tier PhD programs in a variety of disciplines, work in successful non-profit organizations, or complete advanced professional degrees in a variety of areas. This is an interdisciplinary department where faculty teach and conduct research in their respective field of expertise, while also actively participating in writing groups, seminars, and a successful speaker series conducted in the Department.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership
• Demonstrate knowledge of the diverse fields (African American Studies, American Studies, Women's Studies, Southern Studies, and Sociology) represented within the department, with interdisciplinary experience or perspective valued
• Critically understands the importance, stakes, and history of the disciplines in the department, and proactively a proponent for the department's interests
Community & Engagement
• Builds a strong and supportive departmental community among faculty, staff, and students
• Promotes meaningful student engagement with the department and its disciplines
• Works to strengthen relationships and a shared sense of purpose within the department
Personnel Support
• Listens to and responds thoughtfully to the needs and concerns of faculty at all career stages
• Communicates the value, contributions, and relevance of the department's disciplines to audiences within and beyond the University
Department Operations
• Makes strategic decisions about departmental resources that align with the department's academic mission, faculty, staff, and students
• Experience in managing department budgets responsibly and transparently.
Curriculum & Research
• Maintains involvement in research and teaching
• Establishes/maintains a system for overseeing curriculum development and program assessment activities in collaboration with faculty
Minimum Qualifications
Tenured faculty appointment in African American Studies, American Studies, Sociology, Women's Studies, or related fields with interdisciplinary training/experience. Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated leadership skills to support collaboration, transparency, and shared governance - Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration, community building, and student engagement - Evidence of mentoring faculty and facilitating successful applications for faculty retention, promotion, tenure, and post-tenure - Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating innovative recruitment strategies for student enrollment and retention
Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Candidate should provide the following: 1. Letter of interest outlining qualifications; 2. Statement on leadership and interdisciplinarity; 3. Current CV, including a list of three references with contact information. Direct any questions to search committee chair Dr. Sara-Maria Sorentino (ssorentino@ua.edu) and vice-chair Dr. Brooke Thomas (bthomas24@ua.edu). Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
