US History, 2009-10


 * Note: see that link labeled "Discussion" at the top right of the page? Go there for, you know, general discussion.

Non-Academic US History

 * Department of State Supervisory Historian as General Editor of the publication series Foreign Relations of the United States.
 * "The General Editor directs the scope, research, planning, selection, editing, and release of Foreign Relations of the United States"
 * Federal Judical Center assistant historian; primary responsibility: the compilation and maintenance of historical reference sources on the Federal Judicial Center’s Website (Washington, D.C.)
 * Got an email from them on Sept. 28 requesting a writing sample (10/15)
 * Currently conducting interviews (10/17)
 * Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command HISTORIAN, YA-0170 -2 (Hawai'i) working as expert conducting studies and interpreting military history in the context of US servicemen and civilians who remain unaccompanied-for as a result of past conflicts
 * Deadline September 1.
 * I would assume you mean "unaccounted for"
 * I think that's what they meant, although the job ad does say unaccompanied-for...
 * Ah, the joys of Microsoft spell-check-caused errors.
 * This unit seems to be the subject of some media attention (in the New York Times).
 * Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command - ORISE Historian at Hickman Air Force Base, Hawai'i full time appointments for one year; may be renewed for up to two additional years.
 * Scholars chosen will participate in JPAC’s on-going applied research and development projects accounting for all US service members lost during war (since WWII).
 * Sounds more like a fellowship.
 * Received rejection letter (10/5). Apparently Ph.D. in modern US History not a sufficient qualification for consideration (!?!).
 * It's not what I heard from them on having a US history degree. Did they let you know specifically that your Ph.D. was not enough? (10/26)

Specialization - Open

 * Brigham Young University Open rank and field.
 * Deadline December 1, 2009
 * University of Missouri - Columbia / Tenure-track Assistant Professor of U.S. Environmental History
 * Deadline October 28, 2009
 * The department will consider all applicants, but would prefer one whose scholarship is focused on the post-1850 era.
 * Ohio State University - Mansfield/ Tenure-Track position in U.S. History
 * Pennsylvania State University - Fayette Tenure-Track in American History emphasizing African-American, American Indian, or Latin-American history
 * Rutgers University - Newark U.S. History, Assistant Professor
 * teaching and writing that will contribute to Rutgers’ new Ph.D. program in American Studies. Particular interest in critical sexuality studies/ queer history, legal history, or U.S. Latino history.
 * Ack. materials received (9/21)
 * Anyone know the teaching load here?
 * 2-2 load
 * someone i know got a request for writing samples and syllabi
 * ack. materials received (10/12)
 * this would not be me (10/12) (x3) - me too - I call bullshit on the above, given that the deadline was only on 10/10 (10/14)
 * I posted the above and you can can "call bullshit" all you want, but it won't make my statement any less true (10/14)
 * ASA Interview scheduled (10/27)
 * I'd be interested to know if they really are interested in legal history for this hire. The other possible fields and the fact that they're interviewing at ASA suggests to me a somewhat different direction.  (Just a hunch, of course.)  (10/28)
 * University of Texas - Arlington position in the history of migration on the level of assistant professor
 * Deadline December 4, 2009
 * Boise State Assistant Professor, US gender/public history
 * Deadline November 1, 2009
 * Anyone know the teaching load here?
 * What is the deal with the gender component? The AHA listing does not mention gender, and the H Net listing only has it in the title. Any thoughts?
 * I spoke with the search committee chair - it is a position in Gender and public history (not necessarily combined - but the successful candidate will be able to teach public history and courses on gender).
 * At a recent conference a rumor circulated that this might be an inside hire...someone there may already be teaching these courses, even though they don't appear on the website. (10/12)
 * University of Hawaii at Hilo / Assistant Professor / U.S. history
 * Deadline December 1, 2009

Early America
Are there always this many more Early America jobs than 19th & 20th?

-I've noticed a surge in early/colonial in the last couple of years. Don't know if this is a momentary increase, or long term trend.

-Don't know if this is why, but certain positions are easier to fundraise for, e.g., Early America and Civil War. These positions may come from earmarked funds. (10/2)

-I don't know why but damn there are a lot of colonial jobs this year! (10/11)


 * Catholic University of America / Assistant Professor, Colonial America
 * "Additional competence in either the early modern Atlantic world or the early Republic is desirable, but not necessary."
 * Review of applications begins November 16, 2009


 * Colby College / tenure-track position in Early American history at the rank of assistant professor
 * Deadline December 1, 2009
 * Claremont McKenna College / Assistant Professor, Early American history (to 1815)
 * Deadline November 16, 2009
 * Framingham State College / Assistant Professor, United States to 1877
 * "Teaching responsibilities include both halves of the United States survey and upper-level courses. Preferred areas of specialization include Colonial, Early National or New England history."
 * Deadline December 1, 2009
 * Georgia Gwinnett College / Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor, Colonial U.S. history: "Subfield is open; but a focus on Native American relations preferred. Ability to teach Georgia History is desirable. Successful candidates will be expected to teach the American History surveys as well as courses within their specialties."
 * A new college in the Georgia university system; history department is just rolling out. Institution does not offer tenure, instead employs faculty on 1 year or 3-5 year contracts.


 * Georgia Southern / Assistant Professor, Colonial / Revolutionary America
 * Deadline October 28, 2009
 * Anyone know if this is an inside job? Ms. Monica Hunt, "Temporary Instructor," teaches colonial America here.  There are quite a few "temp. instructors" in this department it seems.
 * Ack. materials received (10/23/09)
 * I interviewed with them years ago. Seems like a great department.  Go for it. (10/27)
 * University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign / Full-time tenure-track beginning assistant professor position in American history, colonial through the early national periods (1600s to 1815)
 * Deadline November 16, 2009
 * Illinois State University tenure-track assistant professor in U.S. Colonial History
 * Specialization is open, but candidates should be able to teach courses on the revolutionary and early national periods
 * Indiana University South Bend Assistant Professor, Colonial America.
 * Deadline November 16, 2009
 * Ack. received (10/21)
 * Indiana University Purdue University - Fort Wayne Tenure-track Assistant Professor in early United States history with specialties in U.S. Colonial and American Revolution
 * Deadline December 1, 2009
 * University of Mississippi / Assistant Professor, U.S. History (American Slavery)
 * The Department of History at the University of Mississippi seeks a specialist in the early history of American slavery.
 * Deadline November 6, 2009
 * Norfolk State University / Assistant Proressor, American Colonial History
 * Northwestern University / Colonial and Revolutionary America
 * Deadline November 1, 2009
 * Ack. that materials received (10/23)
 * University of Arkansas / tenure-track assistant professorship in Early American history (to 1800) to begin in August, 2010
 * Deadline November 1, 2009
 * Acknowledgment of materials and EOE survey received (10/26)
 * University of Notre Dame / Early American History (to 1815)
 * Deadline October 1, 2009
 * (10/06) Acknowledgment of materials and EOE survey received
 * University of Tennessee - Knoxville Tenure-track appointment as Assistant Professor in colonial and revolutionary American history
 * Review of applications will begin on November 2, 2009
 * Acknowledgment of materials and EOE survey received (10/26)
 * St. Ambrose University Tenure Track, Assistant Professor, Early American History, with emphasis on the Colonial, Revolutionary, or Early Republic period
 * Deadline October 15th
 * Syracuse University Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Early American History
 * Deadline November 1 2009
 * By my count this is the third time that they have run this search. What's the deal?
 * Ack. e-mail received (10/27)
 * Two years ago it was a senior hire. The candidate they offered it to strung them out for several months and then stiffed them. Last year, it was a one person search committee and the department rejected the people she brought in. More hopeful this year, since the search has been removed from the hands of the lunatic who ran it the last two years.
 * Texas A&M University - College Station - / Assistant Professor, United States in the World during 18th and 19th centuries
 * Deadline November 6, 2009
 * Acknowledgment of materials and EOE survey received (10/28)
 * Wake Forest University / Assistant Professor, American Colonial and Revolutionary history
 * Deadline Nov. 1, 2009
 * "The teaching of Colonial surveys and World Civilizations is required; the ability to offer US Constitutional History would be welcomed."
 * Utah Valley University / Assistant/Associate Professor, Early American History
 * deadline November 20, 2009
 * No H-Net ad
 * H-Net Ad
 * Whittier College / tenure-track assistant professor position in colonial/revolutionary North America
 * Reviews begin November 16, 2009

US-19th Century

 * University of Illinois-Chicago open rank, preference for an Associate or Full Professor. Appointee is expected to be involved in the department's Ph.D. concentration in the history of Work, Race, and Gender in the Urban World
 * Keele University (UK) "Lecturer in US History (Nineteenth Century)" [this is a tenured position, ~Associate Professor equivalent]
 * "The ability to teach courses on slavery, race relations and ethnicity would be a particular advantage".
 * Deadline 16 Oct 2009.
 * Princeton University/ Assistant Professor, American History/ Civil War Era
 * I definitely see myself getting this job. Pencil me in now....
 * Does anyone know what the deadline for this job was? Its H-Grad entry is cryptic and the jobs website they list does not show the job.
 * My understanding was 15 Oct 2009.

Does anyone know if Yonatan Eyal is still there, or has he left and this replaces him? University of South Florida - U.S. and the World, 19th and 20th Centuries
 * University of Florida Tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor. The “long” Nineteenth Century (from 1790 to 1920), with an emphasis on race or ethnicity.
 * Any ideas if this is a replacement (and for whom?) or a new position? Sounds like a great job with lots of potential.
 * Not a replacement; this is a new line.
 * I'm not in this field, but I would approach this one with caution. Last year, the administration ordered the department chair to fire one or two assistant professors due to budget reasons, but they still went ahead with last year's search to create the impression that all was well with the college budget.  I don't know whether those firings ever came to pass (I'm not in the department but have a friend who taught there), but morale was pretty low (the dept. chair, as far as I know, stood up for the faculty as much as possible). It's certainly not a reason not to apply -- just word to the wise.
 * University of Scranton Tenure-track Assistant Professor.  U.S. History from 1820 through Reconstruction.
 * Deadline November 18, 2009.
 * Hey isn't this where the Dunder-Mifflin summer interns go to school? 9/24
 * Faculty are given honorary Dundies after getting tenure.
 * I read through the school's mission statement. Thoughts here, if the prospective applicant is not Catholic, nor even terribly religious?
 * I would imagine that a commitment to social justice and a true liberal arts education is more important than a specific religious affiliation.
 * To the poster who asked about the Catholic mission statement: I interviewed with this department for a different job a couple of years ago (didn't get on campus, but they were really nice people). This is a fairly liberal Catholic school that welcomes faculty of many faiths -- there's no religious "test" or oath, etc., that you'd need to sign to teach at this school..
 * University of Toronto-Mississauga [] US history "focused on the years before 1865."
 * He is there as a VAP and this is very likely an inside hire.
 * He doesn't seem to be visiting... he is listed as "assistant professor."
 * The search committee sent an email to my department asking graduate students in my program to apply. That, to me, says it is not an inside hire.  Hope that helps. (10/21)
 * Wellesley College Tenure-track, first- or second-level assistant professorship in nineteenth-century U.S. history
 * -- was there an indication in any of the job ads for this that they wanted 1st or 2nd level assistants? What is the distinction between the 2?
 * typically a second level asst. prof. would refer to someone who is currently employed in a tenure track job, already has a book contract or book out, and is looking to move up in the world.
 * York College of Pennsylvania Assistant Professor in U.S. History with a specialization in Civil War and Reconstruction
 * sounds like last year's call to me
 * Sure does. Anyone got the low down on what happened here? Last I heard, it had been filled.
 * The person hired dropped out in late July.
 * Do we know why? Was it a better offer or something about the job?
 * Probably a different offer, but bailed very late after signing contract. Search has been reopened as a result.
 * Perhaps more appropriate for the discussion page, but what exactly are the consequences of bailing after a contract has been signed?
 * Normally there is no legal consequence, though technically there might be, for the candidate. For the institution there is another matter, as seen by the fact there is a search.


 * This looks like exactly the same call as went out last spring. Failed search? anyone know?


 * Last year was for a VAP, which was filled, this year is for a tenure earning line.
 * Does that mean inside hire? (10/20)

US-20th Century

 * George Mason University / 20th-century U.S. History / Advanced Assistant or Associate Professor
 * Any word on preferred fields?
 * Should ABD's simply not apply because of the "Advance Assistant" call? Or give it a shot? Please advise.
 * If you are a good fit, yes, do apply. There is no harm. But do not build up your hopes with this one if you are ABD. That is my advice.
 * The ad reads: "George Mason University invites applications for a tenured position in American History." Unless you think you are ready for tenure as an ABD, I wouldn't waste everyone's time.
 * I agree with the statement above. This position is for a more senior application.
 * Here's where I disagree: a few years ago a major institution with a top 10 phd program did a search for a senior americanist. they brought in 3 huge names but for a variety of reasons the search failed. My friend had applied for the job (I can't remember the exact wording of the ad). Long story short: they re-opened the search the next year at the jr. level and someone on the committee had been impressed by my friend's application and moved him right to the on campus stage and he ended up getting the job before. He's a big name but before that he, like many of us, could barely buy an interview. the moral of the story: apply. Sure its probably a nonstarter. But you can't a job you don't apply for.
 * No ack, no nada (10/18)
 * Any guess or knowledge about how they will proceed with this? Straight to on-campus? (The ad does not mention AHA) (10/18)
 * Still waiting for even an ack., which doesn't appear to be forthcoming anytime soon. Is it just me, or does this tend to happen more often with online app's?  (10/26)
 * requested writing samples (10/26)
 * Are you an assistant or associate? (10/27)
 * I got a request for writing samples. I'm an advanced assistant (up for tenure this year) (10/27)
 * Johns Hopkins University / 20th Century US.
 * So, how is this different from last year's search?
 * Same search - last year's was canceled
 * Canceled econopocalypse or canceled failed?
 * The way I understand it, canceled failed although it could be a combo of the two that they didn't want to push for a (non-unanimous?) candidate in the midst of a severe downturn.
 * No, it was the "econopocalypse." The deans cut off all searches at the university (except for endowed lines) right before the dept. vote.
 * Yes, definitely "econopocalypse." They were excited about who they had.
 * Where did last year's pick wind up? Is s/he going to try again after a VAP or something?
 * I have heard this department has "issues" and is not that supportive of tenure-track faculty. This might be wrong information. Seems like a lot of new people left over the last five years?
 * I heard that a few assistant professors have been invited to apply, so it's possible they're looking for someone more advanced than a new PhD. Don't know for sure if this is the case or not.
 * do you know what fields these profs are in? what field was the unsuccessful hire in last year?
 * I could be mis-remembering the talks last year, but I think at least two of the candidates did conservative politics, and maybe one did something with U. S. foreign policy.
 * The search chair is different this year, as is the applicant pool. Some assistant professors were invited to apply in August, and some of them have been asked in the last several weeks to submit in-progress book manuscripts. (10/9)
 * might be to replace paul kramer, u.s.-phillipines imperial diplomatic and social relations...
 * I know I won't get this job, but at least they could send me an ack. for my materials. (10/18)
 * Agreed. They should send acks. Also, as above, any guess or knowledge about how they will proceed with this? Straight to on-campus like last year? (Again, no mention of AHA interviews in the ad) (10/18)
 * Ack. received (10/20) x6 Email mentioned 300 applications!
 * I whined, and they heard. Ack. received (10/20).
 * Haven't received ack email, but did get email from HR office asking me to complete survey.
 * Has anyone who applied through normal channels (who were not solicited in August) had a request for additional materials? (10/28)
 * Not me. Something tells me that this is not one for mere mortals.  (10/28)


 * University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Richard Krasno Distinguished Professorship in 20th-Century U.S. foreign relations, foreign policy, or international relations.
 * Texas State University-San Marcos Assistant or Associate Professor-Twentieth-Century U.S. History, 1900-1945.
 * Trinity University Assistant Professor, tenure track position in US history since 1900.
 * anybody has any idea what specifically they might be looking for?
 * received a letter from the search chair today acknowledging my application. Very classy. (10/16)
 * University of the Pacific / Assistant Professor, 20th century U.S.
 * Deadline November 1
 * Women's History / Preferred sub fields: public history, gender or transnational history.
 * Looking at their website, it seems like they have a VAP who does 20th century U.S. and women's history. Does anyone know what the situation is?  Inside hire, perhaps?
 * Received ack. email (10/15)
 * Old Dominion University / Assistant Professor, American History - Due October 1
 * Does anybody know what the SC is looking for? Is this an inside hire (VAP listed on faculty page?) (8/18)
 * The post says hire must be able to teach Virginia history survey course.
 * If it's an inside hire, it's probably to promote one of the instructors to assistant professor status. The instructor who teaches most sections of the Virginia History course has been an adjunct there since 2003 and, in 2008, she became an instructor. As of 2008, she held the MA degree. Perhaps she is about to receive a PhD and the department is ready to take her on as tenure-track faculty. Just a guess. (If it matters, the emeritus professor who teaches at least one section of Virginia History has been retired since at least 2000.) (9/02)
 * It seems quite clear from the ad what OD want here. If you cannot teach VA history, then you should probably not apply. My hunch is someone with research on VA history is probably the best fit.
 * I know people who have responded to a job ad that did not describe what they do, and they got the job. Happens all the time.  Apply for everything.  You never know what the committee might want once it sits down to meet.  Their possible inside hire might jump ship, prompting the committee to look at different qualifications in their applicants.  You never know.
 * That is true but as someone who has read hundreds of applications, it is clear from this announcement that OD wants a particular type of hire. Yes, apply for everything but I am convinced this is for a VA historian. Good luck to everyone!
 * The problem here is they are requiring a VA history syllabus up front... This suggests they really do want a VA historian. I'm certainly not wasting 2 hours to create a Virginia syllabus that will be useless for any other job.
 * No one ever disputed their wanting a Virginia historian. They make that quite clear.  If you can make such a syllabus, apply.  If it's a waste of time, as it is for me, don't.  They've obviously deliberately limited the position (because it's likely an inside hire), guaranteeing fewer applicants than otherwise.  If you can come up with a Virginia syllabus, I say go for it.  The pickings are slim.
 * I can't imagine a non-Virginia historian coming up with a credible syllabus in two hours. And why hand them something they can use regardless?  I say send them a "local interest" history course syllabus if you've ever taught one, to demonstrate you have the ability and willingness to design a Virginia course for them if you wind up in the running.
 * I don't know about this particular job, but generally when a school says "must be able to teach history of [insert state school is located in], the school is not necessarily looking for a research fit but someone who can credibly pick up a course on state history that the department has to offer for secondary education majors. This is common at Southern schools where most K-12 school systems require a year of state history between 7-10 grade.  For instance, many chairs will assume if you study the region, you can teach the state history course.  Other chairs simply assume if you are an American historian smart enough to be hirable, you can teach the course.


 * And the inside hire paranoia begins again. This applies to other jobs like the Georgia State job in question-lecturers very, very, very rarely get promoted to t-t jobs (VAPs are a different story). It is not surprising that a large state university like ODU has a position for a state historian, many such universities make a local history class required for majors. To second a point made above, the ad looks very unconspiratorial, they simply have a tenure line for a historian of Virginia.
 * maybe this is a little to inside baseball: But does anyone know if James Sweeney, the long time VA historian (been at ODU 40 years), is retiring and this is to replace him? That's what it sounds like to me. But don't know if that's true or not

Received acknowledgement email (10/27)
 * Yale University / Assistant Professor, U.S. in the World - Due September 18
 * This is a rehash of last year's search, which came apart in March due entirely to infighting within the department. Final candidates wishing to conserve their precious time might make discrete inquiries as to whether this search is likely to come to fruition, or whether they will be unwitting participants in another episode of Yale History Smackdown.
 * Ah, and yet the siren song of having the word "Yale" on one's CV is hard to resist. As long as Yale continues to be Yale, they will get away with this diva behavior and still rake in a bumper crop of applicants.
 * This search is likely to fail again. The prof who chaired last year is the same chairing the search this year, and it was his particular vision of the position to which many profs objected.
 * Interviews scheduled for next week (10/20)
 * Boston College / Assistant Professor, 19th-20th Century, Asian, Latino, and/or Carribean immigration - Due November 15
 * Georgia State University / Assistant Professor, post-1865 U.S. History
 * the department website shows at least 3 lecturers that are in the posted field. maybe an inside hire?
 * Maybe be, maybe not. This is a PhD program and they probably want the best hire, regardless of inside or not. This is a great job, though some fields would help.
 * I vote for maybe not. Lecturers rarely get hired on as t-t (as opposed to VAPS, who occasionally do). To be blunt, why hire someone who is local (as most lecturers are) and already working for you on the cheap?
 * Oh oh, "pending budgetary approval." A repeat performance of last year?
 * Anyone know who is the Chair of this search?
 * Received an ack letter from search chair, Michelle Brattain (10/17)
 * There are plenty of highly qualified candidates lecturing right now, esp. given the job market last couple of years. The old rule no longer applies. I know several lecturers and VAPs who now have tt positions. I am one of them.
 * GSU has two "parts" to their dept. Regular TT professors, and a separate lecturer-track, which can be made permanent (sorta tenured.)  The catch to the lecturer positions is that you are not evaluated on research, thus making the switch to a TT job elsewhere harder the longer you stay.  That said, they get points for actually having a system that treats their lecturers far, far better than most, where one is usually disposable.  So yes, there are a bunch of lecturers there now who could go up for this TT position - whether or not the department sees them as jumpable to a different track though is anyone's guess.  Last: having been on campus in a previous season - everyone there is *wonderful.*  Whoever lands this is a lucky duck in my book.
 * Claremont McKenna College / Assistant Professor / post-1945 U.S. History - Due November 16
 * They currently have a VAP teaching in this field, but according to my source it's not necessarily an inside hire situation.
 * Muskingum University / Assistant Professor / modern U.S. history - Due November 1
 * St. Bonaventure University tenure track Assistant Professor specializing in modern U.S. history

American West

 * Texas Tech University assistant professorship in pre-1900 U.S. West
 * University of Oregon Julie and Rocky Dixon Chair in U.S. Western History
 * Is this even worth posting as it is an endowed chair?