Assistant Professor of American Studies in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Application Deadline

November 20, 2026

Institution or Organization

Kennesaw State University

Location

Kennesaw, Georgia and Marietta, Georgia

Website

https://www.kennesaw.edu/

Salary or Compensation

salary not specified

Description and Requirements

About Us

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia’s largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to over 50,000 students. Our high-impact research and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.

Our university’s vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. As part of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State exemplifies the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. In addition, Kennesaw State supports the University of Georgia’s core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. For more information, visit the Kennesaw State University website.

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information

With its focus on interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship, and community service, the Interdisciplinary Studies Department (ISD) is an innovative and forward-looking department that seeks to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century, challenges that require understanding the interconnectedness of people and ideas. Our courses bring together insights and faculty from multiple disciplines across the university and encourage engaged scholarly activities aimed at solving real world problems, from the local to the global.

With more than 400 full-time faculty and 8,100 degree-seeking students, the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences is dedicated to pioneering workforce readiness in the humanities and social sciences. By staying true to our Liberal Arts values and integrating practical knowledge and experiential learning into our curriculum, we empower our students to become responsible citizens ready for the demands of the modern workplace. The home of three schools and eight departments, the College offers more than 80 graduate and undergraduate programs of study in both traditional and interdisciplinary fields. These programs enable students to develop leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, as well as a strong sense of civic engagement.

The College is committed to the success of our students, faculty, staff and communities. We seek candidates whose experience has prepared them to fulfill that commitment and engage our students, partners, and stakeholders effectively.

Job Summary

Kennesaw State University is now accepting applications for a full-time, tenure track faculty position as Assistant Professor of American Studies in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies with a preferred start date of August 2027. This is a nine-month contracted position and is for work to be performed in the state of Georgia.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate and graduate American Studies courses, including core courses in the graduate program in American Studies
Supervise American Studies graduate capstone theses and projects
Produce scholarship commensurate with rank and workload
Pursue external funding to support scholarship
Provide service to the American Studies program and Interdisciplinary Studies department
Participate in student success and professional development programs
Faculty will also be expected to teach large sections of general education and/or major courses, teach on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses, and teach in online, hybrid, and in-person formats.

Teaching assignments will be based on earned degrees and SACSCOC Faculty Credentials Guidelines.

Required Qualifications

An earned doctorate degree, or the foreign equivalent, in American Studies or a closely related discipline is required at the time of hire
At least 2 years of college-level teaching experience as GTA and/or instructor of record
Graduate coursework and/or scholarly publications that demonstrate preparation to teach graduate courses in American Studies Scholarship and Methods
Documented scholarly or creative activity demonstrating the potential to maintain an active program of research or creative scholarship

Preferred Qualifications

Online teaching experience
Ability to teach graduate courses in public history, history and culture, the Americas, and/or the graduate capstone experience.
Ability to teach or develop classes outside of current faculty expertise
Demonstrated success supporting non-traditional, first-generation, and place-bound students

Required Documents to Attach

CV
Cover Letter addressing research agenda and which KSU American Studies undergraduate and graduate courses you are prepared to teach
Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts and Official International Course-by-Course Evaluations Due Upon Hire)
Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least 3 references.
Teaching Philosophy
Evidence of Teaching effectiveness: include a summary of teaching evaluations, a teaching observation letter from a faculty supervisor, or a teaching portfolio (Upload as Additional Documents)
Scholarly or creative activity (Upload as Research Interest)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply Before Date

Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, please apply by November 20, 2026.

Contact Information

For questions about this faculty opening, please contact Kate Schaab, kschaab@kennesaw.edu.

For technical support or assistance completing a job application, please contact the Shared Services Center at (877) 251-2644 or support@usg.edu.

For questions about a specific job posting at Kennesaw State University, please contact the search chair listed under the contact information section on each posting. For general questions about faculty jobs please email facultyjobs@kennesaw.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Background Check

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, preemployment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials. https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

For a full description of this position, application deadlines, and application procedures, visit our Careers at KSU website. Search for Job ID 304440.

Application Instructions and Contact