Religious Studies 2009-2010

Religious Studies 2009-2010

Please list advertised positions, with updates as they occur, including acknowledgments of receipt, phone interviews, campus interviews, offers, and names of those hired.


 * Just a note that if you are regularly checking this site, don't just look but please be nice and also contribute with any news or information that you have.


 * To be honest, if I had any news I wouldn't be checking so much!

Just out of curiosity, how many people are using this site? 58

Sub-fields of people using this site:

Comparative Religion: 1

Judaism: 3

Hebrew Bible: 6

New Testament: 3

Early Christianity: 1

New Testament and Early Christianity: 4

Medieval Christianity: 1

Late Medieval/Early Modern Christianity: 1

Islam:

Philosophy of Religion: 2

Buddhism: 2

South Asian religions: 1

American Religion: 6

Ethics: 1

Christian Theology: 1

Request to have people put summary comments so we know what has been edited.

Ashland Theological Seminary - New Testament
 * Has anyone heard anything from Ashland? Response: Review of apps began (11/1)
 * Got an e-mail back saying they would pick people to interview in December. I think they backed out of SBL.
 * Was this a general email presumably to all applicants or a personal email responding to a question about SBL interviews, etc.?
 * Personal e-mail asking specifically about interviews at SBL.

Avila University - Religious Studies/Comparative Religion
 * Acknowledgment of receipt by mail (10/21)
 * Has anyone been contacted for interviews at Avila yet?
 * Contacted for phone interview (11/15)

Bard College - Islam Barnard College - Islam
 * AAR interview invitation (24 Oct) (x1)
 * Has anybody heard anything about interviews for Barnard? Will they interview at AAR or MESA?

haven't heard anything from them as yet (27th Oct.)


 * nothing as of 10/30
 * any updates on Barnard?

still waiting...11/20

Should I assume that I'm not on the shortlist if I haven't heard back yet?

I haven't heard anything either. (11/27)

I haven't heard anything but in the letter they sent stating they had received my materials they said they would have a short list by about the time of the AAR. I am assuming that they have contacted people on the short list by now. Does anyone know if they interviewed at the AAR?

They did not interview at AAR or MESA. The letter they sent did not indicate that they would. (11/28)

-Are they going to conduct interviews? Does anybody know? (12/1)

Job talks have been scheduled (12/1)

When were job talks scheduled? How many candidates have been shortlisted?

Talks were just scheduled for the middle of December; three candidates are giving talks. Two have postdocs and one is an assistant professor elsewhere.

Baylor - Constructive Theology
 * Email confirming application received

Baylor - World Religions

Birmingham-Southern - South Asian Religions
 * AAR Interview Invitation (10/28) (x3)
 * Invitation for on-campus interview in December (11/20)

Bradley University (Deadline 1/10) - Biblical Studies
 * Acknowledgment of receipt by mail - Oct. 15
 * Expect to identify finalists in early February and conclude search by late Feb/early March.

Brown University- Religion and Critical Thought
 * App received email (16 Oct) (x1)
 * Q: Any idea if interviews will be held at AAR?
 * No AAR interviews.
 * They are still reviewing apps so don't panic yet (as of 10/29)
 * Q: Where was this job posted? It is nowhere to be found on Brown's own Jobs page. Can someone post the specs and deadline? A: It had been posted on the AAR online job page and the deadline was Oct 15. You have to go to the back issues section of the AAR page to see it, scroll down to the bottom of the current openings page and then search for positions advertised in September 2009.
 * According to the AAR rumor mill, the committee is meeting this week to choose candidates to invite to campus. Response: So they're skipping phone interviews?
 * They do not do AAR or phone interviews. Short list has been set and these will be called (sometime in the next week +) to set up an on-campus for after the New Year. There were 182 applicants (11/13) .Response: Thanks--do you know how many on the short list? (11/13). Not yet. It is typically 3-5 (11/13).
 * Anyone hear either way? (11/19)
 * It might be that anyone that would get an interview at Brown is not so nervous about getting a job this year that they are looking at this site.
 * Unlikely, everyone in academia who isn't tenured is nervous. Plus, the previous commenter sure seemed to know a lot of information.
 * The pool included a wide range of folks at various stages (remember, 182 of them). I'm not a candidate but will post info as it becomes available b/c I think it is the right thing to do (although nothing personal will be posted, obviously).
 * The simple question is whether anyone can confirm if the people on the short-list were already contacted or not? x2
 * Yes, the shortlist has been contacted.
 * I was just informed by someone in the dept. that no one has been officially contacted as the dept awaits senior administration approval. Not sure where the previous poster got his/her info. (9 Dec)
 * Approval of short-list came down from on high today. Short-list will be contacted asap (today or tomorrow supposedly) (12/10)
 * OK...simple question once again: has the short list been contacted? (12/11)

Carleton- Global Christianity
 * App received email (6 Oct) (x1)
 * never got an app rec'd email; anyone else hear anything about AAR yet?
 * no word about AAR as of yet (29 Oct.)
 * Rejection letter received via mail (10/29) Final 12 applicants to be interviewed at AAR. (x1, nov 2)
 * still no word about AAR or rejection (31 Oct)
 * Any word on scheduled job talks/on-campus interviews? (12/3)
 * Post-AAR interview rejection letter saying on-campus candidates contacted (12/5)

Christian Brothers - Catholic Theology Claremont School of Theology - Interreligious Education
 * they did interviews at AAR; has anyone heard since then? (12/8)

Claremont School of Theology - Ethics of Globalization
 * Acknowledgment of receipt via email (10/2)
 * 11/11 Any updates?
 * 12/7: Rejection letter received (dated 12/2). 14 were interviewed by phone or at AAR, 3 invited to campus.

- Phone Interview conducted (1/2 November)

Coastal Carolina University - Asian Religion or Islam (deadline 2/28/2010)

Colby College - Visiting Ass't Prof of Biblical Studies (deadline: 9/15) College of Notre Dame at Maryland - Theology College of William and Mary (Deadline: 11/2) - Christianity
 * SBL interview scheduled (via email 10/24) x3
 * any word yet?
 * I was told in my interview with them that they would wait until the end of January to start contacting their list of preferred candidates. They want people's tenure-track possibilities to play out first, since this is a leave-replacement.
 * sounds reasonable, and a kind thing to do instead of just leaving you hanging!
 * Got a rejection email (12/10) (+1)

email that the search has been canceled (10/21)

Concordia University (Deadline 2 Nov) - Sociology/Anthropology of Religion & Ethics (Dept. of Religion)
 * e-mail acknowledgement of receipt (Oct. 12)
 * invited for "informal" meeting at AAR (Oct. 31)
 * any word on this? (12/10)

Concordia University (Deadline 2 Nov) - Christian Spirituality (Dept. of Theological Studies)
 * had to ask for an acknowledgement of receipt. Have heard nothing since (11/15)
 * they conducted several interviews at AAR; heard nothing since (11/22)

Creighton University - Theology (Comparative/Contextual)
 * haven't heard anything (11/4)
 * Just received a letter indicating funding for the position was not approved; search canceled (11/23) (x2)

Dartmouth College - Religions in America
 * AAR interview invitation (10/30) (x4)
 * Skype interview (11/29)

Duke University Divinity School - Faculty Director for New Degree Initiatives/Theology (Deadline: 12/1)

Eden Theological Seminary - Biblical Studies
 * Notified that they received my stuff and will be in contact soon. (11/17)
 * Interviewed at SBL

Elon - South Asian Religions (Deadline: 10/20)
 * Invitation to interview at AAR (11/1) x 2
 * any word? Haven't heard anything since AAR interview, which I can only assume is bad news.
 * Rejection received by snail mail today. (12/07)

Episcopal Divinity School - Religion&Society, History, Pastoral Theology
 * Anyone know about this search?
 * Rejection letter received by snail mail (12/4) x3

Georgia Gwinnett College - World Religion
 * Posted 10/13
 * Open rank position
 * Accepting applications until filled

Georgia State University - Islam (review begins 16 Oct)
 * App received email (14 Oct) (x1)
 * AAR interview invitation (31 Oct).

Gonzaga University (Deadline 11/10) -- Hebrew Bible, Judaism
 * Acknowledgment via e-mail (10/28), x2 (11/4)
 * SBL interview scheduled via phone x2 (11/13), x1 (11/14)

Gustavus Adolphus (Deadline: 10/15) - Hebrew Bible


 * SBL interview scheduled via email (11/8)
 * Received rejection letter (11/12) (11/13)

Hope College - World Religions
 * Interviewed at AAR (11/7)
 * Rejection Letter sent 11/19. Not looking for NT/EC people.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Deadline 12/15) Asian Religion
 * Announced on RISA-L - late October
 * Received a hard copy letter acknowledging receipt of materials (11/21)
 * Received a hard copy letter acknowledging receipt of materials (12/8)

Iowa State University - Religious Studies (Deadline 11/20)
 * E-mail: receipt of materials (9/25)

Iowa Weselyan (Deadline: 11/6) - Bible, etc.
 * This is a repeat of a failed search from Spring 2009
 * failed due to budget issues or couldn't find appropriate candidate?
 * They interviewed 3 and made an offer to 1. That person eventually declined. It was so late in the year that they decided to start again this year. - per email received 7/2
 * Has anyone heard from Iowa Wesleyan yet? Nothing yet.
 * I inquired about an update by email on 12/8 but have not received a response.

Judson University (Deadline:11/3) - Old Testament
 * SBL interview invitation (11/5) (x3)
 * Notified via email that the pool of applicants has been narrowed down to six or so (12/4). Committee will select two candidates to invite to campus sometime next week.

Kalamazoo College (Deadline: 10/2) - Hebrew Bible/New Testament/Early Christianity/Second Temple
 * AAR interview invitation (10/18) (x5)
 * Now also scheduling SBL interviews for those not attending AAR.
 * How did they notify about this? I haven't heard anything.
 * Email. SBL interview scheduled - 10/29. Had been asked on 10/18 for AAR interview.
 * On campus interview invitations have gone out.
 * Is this hearsay, or was it added by one of the finalists?
 * Confirmed by email from search chair (12/9).

King's University College (Deadline 10/30)-Jewish Studies
 * Acknowledgment of receipt-Oct.29
 * Request for interview, Nov. 1

King's University College (Deadline 10/30)-Catholic Studies
 * Email acknowledgment of receipt -- Oct. 29
 * Anybody got the skinny on interviews at AAR?
 * Still no word (11/15). Last year's wiki indicated they ran a more generic search than this year's.
 * email received today - they have invited short list (3) for campus interviews. (12/7)

Knox College -- Religion and Culture
 * Acknowledgment of receipt -- Sept. 14

Lafayette (Deadline: 10/20) - African Religions

Lindenwood University - Religion (Biblical Studies/Christian theology)
 * invitation to AAR interview via email (11/4) x2
 * received letter "you have credentials that would be of considerable value" and we will be giving your application "serious attention" and if we decide to interview we will contact you (11/6)
 * Phone interview on 12/1.  Q: Is this a first interview, or a second interview after an AAR interview? A: First.  Couldn't make it to AAR.

Loyola -- Judaism

Has anyone heard anything after the preliminary interview at AAR?

Refrences contacted (around 15/11) and phone interviews scheduled for candidates who were not at the AAR (early Dec.) -check the page of Jewish Studies-

Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) - Post-doc Early Christianity
 * email acknowledgment of receipt - 10/5
 * email requesting additional info: transcripts and contact info for references (10/29)
 * SBL interview scheduled via email - 10/31
 * Offer made by email (12/3). Congrats!

Middlebury College - Christianity
 * Acknowledgment of receipt by mail - Oct. 14
 * no news about AAR (oct. 31) x2; (nov. 2) x4
 * apparently, all selected for AAR interviews have been contacted (nov. 2)--is this based on evidence or speculation?
 * evidence. i emailed the staff assistant and she told me that all those selected for interviews have been contacted.--Thanks!
 * 11/9 Rcvd. snail mail saying that apps are still being reviewed. Letter dated 11/5.  So the above statement is a bit confusing.
 * x2...but I think the part about apps being reviewed might have been formulaic language that goes with their EEO sheet, which came with it. I doubt that they are still reviewing apps, but who knows?
 * 11/10 For what it's worth, I heard at AAR that they only interviewed folks with PhD already in hand. I'm still in Montreal, though, so I've not received any letter (or not not received it--as the case may be).--update: Received letter and form upon return. Looks like they're trying to get what stats they can before rejecting us!

Middlebury College - Hinduism/South Asian
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct. 4
 * AAR Interview Invitation (10/20) x 3
 * They told me that the short list would be created by the second week in December.

Montana State - Bozeman (Deadline: 10/16) - Theory of Religion
 * Any word on this position? (11/2)
 * Haven't heard anything (11/3)
 * E-mail for arranging phone interviews the week of 11/6-11/13 (Received 11/3) X 2
 * Invited for a campus visit in December (11/16)  [To the person that received an on-campus: were you South Asian Religion or Science and Religion?  At another school or new to the market?  Just curious to see what kind of candidates they were looking for, as the ad was quite broad.] Response: I'm Asian Religions and at another school... [Thanks!  I'm a science and religion specialist, so it helps to know what they were looking for.  Best of luck!]
 * Received a nice e-mail informing me I was not selected for a campus visit. In this message they mentioned that they had 80 applicants for the position. (11/20)

Mount Allison University (Deadline 11/06) - Eastern Religions (18 month term appointment)

Mount Royal University - East or South Asian Religions (deadline 12/15)

Northwestern (Deadline: Oct 2) - Hebrew Bible

Our Lady of the Lake (Baton Rouge)- deadline Oct 30- Theology Pacific Lutheran - Comparative Religion/Asian Religions
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - dated 10/19, received 10/30 (mine received around 10/5)
 * Has anyone heard anything new about this job? Are they interviewing at SBL?
 * Heard from a colleague they are still reviewing applications
 * Asked for book-length writing sample. Q--When were you asked for the sample, and did they give you a deadline? Thanks! A--They asked on 11/25.  Not sure what you mean by "deadline"; they asked me to send it within the next few days.  R--Thanks, yes, that's what I was asking; wow, this seems like a high bar for an assistant professor position. R -- Why would having a completed dissertation be a high bar for a top-20 research university? Seems reasonable to me.  R2--I concur, though I don't know if even a completed dissertation is enough for this position.  But hey, it's Northwestern, they can get whomever they want. R--I guess I had misunderstood "book-length writing sample" as "book manuscript or published book", rather than "dissertation". The latter seems quite reasonable to me, the former a high bar for a junior position, but reflective of the market.  R3--Well, they did ask me for the proofs of my book.  That's why I said "book-length writing sample."  Maybe if I were a grad student, they would've asked for the diss--don't know.
 * Contacted to set up on-campus interview (12/9)
 * Acknowledgment of receipt- Nov 30
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct. 7
 * Contacted for interview at AAR (10/18)
 * Rejection letter received (Nov. 2 )
 * Invited for a campus visit in December (Nov. 13) (x2)

Pacific Lutheran (Deadline: 10/15) - New Testament
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct 15
 * Letter saying "we won't be interviewing you at SBL" - Nov 2 (x3)
 * Notification of SBL interview (Nov 5)

Phillips Theological Seminary - Hebrew Bible
 * Contacted references mid-October
 * It appears that they have hired someone because they are no longer listing this job on their website and have just announced a new hire in HB/OT

Princeton - Religion in America

Rochester University Chinese Religions
 * Candidate called to interview at AAR (10/29)
 * Committee has met and made a short list (11/22)
 * Invited for a campus visit in December (11/25)

Rutgers St. Meinrad's (Deadline:11/30) - Systematic Theology
 * Acknowledgment of Receipt - Oct. 12
 * AAR interview invitation (10/30)
 * AAR interviews (11/7)
 * Rejection letter after AAR interview, said a short list has been created for campus interviews (11/13)
 * informed by email and snail mail that all applicants will be informed of their status after Dec 10
 * Received via email kindest rejection yet (12/10)

Sacred Heart School of Theology (Deadline 12/1) - Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures

Santa Clara University - Social Scientific Study of Religion
 * Rejection letter received (Nov. 20)

Scranton (Deadline: 11/1) - Old Testament
 * SBL interview scheduled via email (x2 11/11, x1 11/12 )
 * An e-mail stating "A preliminary screening will be completed by approximately December 10, and you will be informed of your status when this process is completed." (If I didn't know through this website that they were interviewing at SBL, I would have interpreted this to mean "you're still in the running") (11/13)
 * On-campus visit scheduled via phone (12/1)

Seattle Pacific University (Deadline 11/15) - Biblical Studies
 * Rejection received via email (11/17)

Seattle University (Deadline: 10/15) - New Testament & Christian Origins
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct 15
 * Contacted for SBL interview - Oct 29
 * Interview (11/02)
 * Interviewed on 11/23.
 * Rejection received via email (12/9).

Seattle University (Dept. Theology) (Deadline: 10/15) - Hebrew Bible
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct 9
 * 11/9 - received rejection email (x4)
 * joint SBL interview for both open positions in HB at Seattle (11/10)
 * Received rejection email (12/10)

Seattle University (School of Theology) (Deadline:  10/15) - Hebrew Bible


 * SBL interview via phone (11/9)
 * joint SBL interview for both open positions in HB at Seattle (11/10)
 * I have heard that interviews were scheduled? Is this true? R- I assume so b/c I was interviewed at SBL and received a rejection letter on 12/8. RR Thanks!

Union Theological Seminary (NY) - Biblical Languages
 * Contacted for SBL interview via email (11/10) (x3)

University of Alabama,Tuscaloosa - Religions of China
 * Review of applications begins Oct. 15
 * e-mail for arranging interviews at AAR or over the phone (Oct. 30)
 * Interviewed at AAR (11/8)

University of Cambridge:- Polonsky-Coexist Lectureship in Jewish Studies University of Dallas, School of Ministry- deadline Dec 18
 * invited for on-campus interview (11/10)

University of Hawai'i (deadline 1/15) - Christianity

University of Puget Sound (Deadline: 10/15) - Jewish or Islamic Studies
 * Any word on this position? (11/2)
 * Acknowledgement of receipt by mail (11/2)
 * interview request (11/3)
 * Follow-up: are you Islamic or Jewish Studies? (11/3)

University of Michigan (deadline: 10/15)- Hindu studies
 * Any word on this position? (11/4)
 * Other than acknowledgment that materials were received (10/20), no word. (11/8)

University of North Carolina, Wilmington - East Asian Religions (deadline: 12/20)

University of Notre Dame - Systematic Theology
 * Any word? (11/22) (x2 11/30)

University of South Carolina (Deadline: 10/1) - Early Christianity/Christian Scriptures University of South Carolina Upstate - Religion (Christianity)
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct 16
 * Video conferences first-round interviews scheduled 10/19, 20, 27. No AAR or SBL interviews.
 * (This seems really fast! When were the interviews scheduled?)
 * Email received 10/16 with dates above given as options.
 * Finalists to be contacted beginning of November. Campus visits before SBL.
 * On-campus visit scheduled - 11/6
 * video-interview held 11/4; on-campus visit scheduled 11/6
 * top three visited campus before SBL
 * does anybody know how many applications were received for this position?
 * Doesn't matter. There's a reason they were so quick to move through the process if you know what I mean.
 * Yes, they realize that competently run job searches don't have to take 6 or 7 months to complete. (X2)
 * Actually, no I don't know what you mean... are you saying they already knew who they wanted to hire? Or that the pool of applicants wasn't big?
 * I'm sure the pool was typical - 150-300 apps. There are rumors of them knowing who their top candidates were well before the search closed and not because these people applied early (I suspect this is what the above post references). I don't know if this is so. It could be they rushed a hire because they are facing a hiring freeze or maybe they are just very efficient, as suggested above. I have heard through the grapevine though that there may have been an inside candidate.
 * To put to rest these rumors, they had over 120 applications, and there definitely was not an inside candidate. Both Harvard and Penn State made their offers around this time last year, so it can be done!
 * Not my field. I heard through a colleague (who was not an applicant) but I do apologize to those who were finalists and, I am sure, well-qualified to be so. I know searches can and should be carried out more quickly than they are so kudos to USC for their ability to coordinate quickly.
 * Offer Made (I heard about it 12/9 - not sure when it was actually made) Q: where did you hear about the offer? Q(2): I am curious also as I know 2 people who were finalists (one a colleague).
 * I can confirm the above comment on very reliable information. (X2)
 * Has anyone heard anything from them yet? (11/30)

University of St. Thomas (MN) - Catholic Studies (no deadline)
 * Surprised this wasn't listed as of 11/5
 * Email received on 11/6 for phone interview 11/11.(x2)
 * Set up on campus interview by email 11/25.(x2)
 * Did anyone receive a rejection letter? 12/8

University of Toronto at Mississauga (Deadline: 11/30) - Women's/Gender Studies and Religion (specialization open)

Valdosta State University (Deadline: 11/15) - World Religions/New Testament/History of Christianity/Women's & Gender/Judaism/Hebrew Bible. . . Islam/Philosophy (in other words can you please teach everything)
 * Phone call requesting phone interview for 12/4 or 12/5 (11/24) + 1
 * Contacted my advisor/reference on 12/1 and confirmed phone interview for 12/5 (12/1)

Valparaiso (Deadline: 12/10) - Literature, Ethics, or Religion (world Christianity, biblical studies, historical or systematic theology, religion and literature)

Viterbo University (Deadline: 11/30)- Catholic Studies

Westminster College (Deadline: 10/16) - Biblical Studies/World Religions
 * Acknowledgment of receipt via mail (x4 11/2) (x4 11/3)

Westminster Theological Seminary (11/1) - Old Testament

Wheaton College (Deadline: 10/2) - Old Testament
 * Acknowledgment receipt via email (10/1)
 * Rejection letter received via email - 10/9
 * Update letter received via email, SBL interview decision to be made on 11/12 (11/4)
 * SBL interview scheduled via email (11/13)
 * Rejection letter via email (11/17)

Wooster - South Asian Religions
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Oct. 10
 * AAR Interview Invitation (10/28) (x3)
 * Was supposed to hear something on Friday, still haven't yet (11/18)
 * I got a request for add'l mat'ls on 11/11, but no mention of when next notices would go out. The dept wants to have the hire done before spring semester starts.
 * By email: am on a second list of three not being invited for campus interviews now but may be after first three reviewed, aka 1/2rejection (11/20)
 * Rejection letter received (Nov. 20)

Xavier (Deadline: 10/9) - New Testament Xavier University New Orleans - (Deadline: Nov 16)-Theology
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - 10/22
 * Anyone heard anything about SBL?
 * Not yet (11/12) (x3)
 * E-mailed Xavier with no response for over a week. Curious if anyone has gotten info back from them.
 * For interested parties: a departmental colleague scheduled a SBL interview, sometime before AAR.
 * have campus invitations been extended yet, does anybody know?
 * Acknowledgment of receipt - Nov 20. Nothing since

Yale Divinity School (Deadline: 11/1) - Biblical Hebrew
 * they notified SBL interviewees a while ago (at least a week, maybe two)
 * Heard through the grapevine that they have picked the two finalists

Young Harris College - Religious Studies
 * Email acknowledgment of receipt (10/20)x2

Youngstown State University - Asian Religions
 * Job canceled per email from AAR Career Center - 10/28
 * I applied for this position but have not heard anything about the search being cancelled (but I am also not registered with AAR's Career Center in any way) -- would you share more details?
 * It's hidden in the 4th or 5th paragraph of an AAR Job Center E-Bulletin (10/28).
 * received a nicely written email that the university is suspending the search (10/30)