Visiting Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance Forms of the African Diaspora

We are seeking an artist/scholar whose creative and scholarly research is situated firmly within an Africanist global intercultural paradigm and who can advance the department’s goals in the areas of global dance studies and community-based creative research. Our new colleague will participate in our majors-level dance technique rotation by offering all levels (beginning to advanced) of contemporary dance practices grounded in the dance cultures and aesthetics of the African diaspora including but not limited to: African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and/or Afro-fusion forms, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Vogueing, Wacking, J-Setting and/or any other African diasporic dance practices determined by their area(s) of specialization. Additionally, our colleague will contribute by teaching and developing courses both within the department’s general education curriculum in Diversity and Inclusion and related to the candidate’s areas of expertise and departmental needs. Other contributions to the program could include undergraduate student advising, supervision of graduate student independent projects and theses, and other departmental committee assignments. We will welcome an individual with relationships within the professional field and will prioritize candidates: 1) with demonstrated ability to teach contemporary dance in the candidate’s area(s) of expertise and courses blending theory and practice in African diasporic dance cultural studies; 2) who possess the qualifications and experience for instructional versatility in more than one Africanist contemporary movement practice; and 3) with demonstrated capacity to engage students from all backgrounds.

We will look to our new faculty colleague to design and deliver curricula grounded in the dance cultures and aesthetics of the African diaspora. We welcome candidates to join our faculty and contribute to our department’s heterogeneous and multi-perspective culture.

Appointment begins: August 21, 2024

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply for this position, go to https://jobs.uiowa.edu/ and refer to requisition 75223. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Professor Rebekah Kowal at rebekah-kowal@uiowa.edu.

Supporting materials must include:

• Curriculum vitae.


• A cover letter including a discussion of your preparation for and interest in this role.


• A statement of teaching philosophy including Africanist diasporic dance technique(s) and African diasporic dance cultural studies.


• 30-minute teaching video of a movement practices (dance technique) course.


• Links to samples of body-based creative research samples (completed works of any length may be submitted, no excerpts) and/or research samples of scholarship in dance studies.


• Sample syllabus for an African diasporic dance studies course that combines practice and theory.

Prepare to submit in the online application the names and contact information of three references who will receive an email prompting them to upload their letters of recommendation.

Successful candidates will also be subject to a criminal background and credential check.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

• M.F.A. or Ph.D. degree in Dance or a related field awarded by the start date.

• College-level teaching experience.


• Demonstrated ability to teach contemporary dance in the candidate’s area(s) of expertise.


• Demonstrated capacity for course development and design.


• Administrative skills to work in an academic environment, including in written communication as demonstrated in the application materials.

• Qualifications and/or experience for instructional versatility in more than one Africanist contemporary movement practice.


• Capacity to teach courses blending theory and practice in African diasporic dance cultural studies.


• Capacity to teach or develop a course that satisfies the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences general education curriculum.


• Demonstrated promise in creative research in African-based and/or Africanist choreography, performance, and/or community-based dance practices.


• Professional experience in the dance field.