Great Books in Political Thought and Constitutionalism (Associate/Full Professor)

Great Books in Political Thought and Constitutionalism (Associate/Full Professor) . The University of Texas at Austin . College: School of Civic Leadership . Location: The University of Texas at Austin .

Opens: Oct 26, 2026 .

Description

The School of Civic Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), in partnership with the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas invites applications for full-time tenured faculty positions at the associate or full professor level in the Great Books, with a field in political thought and constitutionalism. Exceptional candidates will be eligible for endowed chairs and professorships. Successful candidates’ primary appointments will be in the School of Civic Leadership, with affiliations in the Thomas Jefferson Center. The possibility of partial appointments in the disciplinary department may also be explored.

Appointments will begin in Fall 2027. Successful candidates will teach in the School’s discussion-based Great Books curriculum, centered on close reading of primary texts. Courses are conducted as small seminars and discussion sections in which students engage directly with foundational, wisdom-seeking works in and between a range of disciplines: political thought, philosophy, literature, religious studies, history, and the liberal arts broadly. Candidates will also contribute to the overall core curriculum.

The School of Civic Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin prepares students for leadership in a free society through rigorous education and scholarship. Its dual mission is to equip students with the knowledge and aptitudes to lead public and private institutions and to produce research of the highest scholarly quality. Building on its Civics Honors major, the School will launch a Great Books major in Fall 2027 in partnership with the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas. The School is also developing an interdisciplinary PhD program in Civic Thought.

Housed in the College of Liberal Arts, the Thomas Jefferson Center advances the close study of foundational texts through its Jefferson Scholars Program, Core Texts and Ideas Certificate, and Civic Thought Initiative. Its programs encourage students to examine their beliefs, broaden their understanding of others, and engage in thoughtful, respectful dialogue. . Application instructions: The School of Civic Leadership and the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas invite applicants to submit: A cover letter; Curriculum vitae; and The names of three recommenders; letters will be requested at a later stage. Cover letters should: Give a brief overview of the candidate's research agenda; Highlight areas of teaching competence; and Concisely describe how the candidate would contribute to developing the School of Civic Leadership and the study of the Great Books at the University of Texas.