Department of Religion
The Department of Religion and The Center for African Studies, University of Florida
The Department of Religion and the Center for African Studies at the University of Florida invite applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in the field of Islam and Muslim Societies in sub-Saharan Africa, to begin in August 2010. We are interested in candidates with a research focus in such fields as Muslim thought, religious practice, Islamic history, social dynamics, and/or political movements in Africa. The appointment will be made jointly between the Department and the Center, both of which are located within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Required qualifications include: a Ph.D. in a relevant field; significant research experience in sub-Saharan Africa; and a strong record or substantial promise of teaching and scholarly publication on Islam in Africa. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries with faculty members in various departments and colleges. They are also expected to teach introductory courses, in addition to more advanced undergraduate and graduate classes in their field. Knowledge of an African language is highly desirable. If the applicant does not have a degree in religion, familiarity with methods and theories in the discipline is required. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with experience.
Interested applicants should submit a letter of application (referencing PS # 00025437), CV, a writing sample, and any other supporting materials, as well as have three letters of reference sent directly to: Islam in Africa Search Committee, 107 Anderson Hall, P. O. Box 117410, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7410. All materials should be received by 8 January 2010. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Minorities, women and those from other underserved groups are encouraged to apply. (Please visit http://www.hr.ufl.edu/job/datacard.htm to complete a voluntary Applicant Data Card.)
Message from the Graduate Studies Coordinator:
The department welcomes applications to our graduate program. Please feel free to contact me via phone or e-mail if you would like to talk about our program or if you would like to arrange a campus visit. All application materials must reach the department by JANUARY 15, 2010.
Dr. Manuel A. Vasquez
(352) 273-2945
manuelv@ufl.edu
From Vasudha Narayanan
Welcome to the Department of Religion, University of Florida. Founded in 1946, the Department of Religion is the second oldest religion department among Americas’ public universities and one of the strongest. We have a distinguished and diverse faculty, who together offer a rich and diverse curriculum to a growing number of students.
Our undergraduate major examines religion as a significant and pervasive element in human culture. Emphasis on method and theory and religion’s comparative dimensions enables students to read and critically analyze current literature. Our graduate program builds upon department, college, and university strengths while staking out new areas of inquiry within the discipline of religious studies. The Religion in the Americas program draws on UF’s strong Latin American Studies program to focus on North, Central, and South American religious interactions. Religion and Nature critically explores the relationships among human beings and their diverse environments, cultures and religions. The program in Religions of Asia emphasizes the transmission and interaction of Asian religious traditions and peoples as they move across and beyond Asia.
The department is also home to several important initiatives. The Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions, established in 2005, is the only program of its kind in the nation to encourage the research, teaching, and public understanding of Hindu culture and traditions. The Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture provides a forum for international research on religion and nature. Departmental faculty and students also participate in many interdisciplinary programs across UF’s campus and beyond.
Vasudha Narayanan
Chair
(352) 273-2928
vasu@ufl.edu
