Temporary Continuing Education Instructor - History of West Asia/North Africa

About the Department

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr., and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind's progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of ISAC is to be the world's leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship. ISAC is a unit within the University of Chicago.

Job Summary

ISAC is seeking a temporary instructor to teach an online, non-degree continuing education class on the history of West Asia and/or North Africa (including the Islamic period). ISAC's continuing education program offers non-degree classes to lifelong learners, focusing primarily on the ancient and medieval history of West Asia and North Africa. Classes are robust and in-depth, and should be structured at a level equivalent to an undergraduate or graduate university course.

Responsibilities

• Teach one 8-week online class on the history of West Asia/North Africa, beginning October 1, 2026, January 4, 2027, or March 15, 2027.
• Meet with students via Zoom for two hours per week over the 8-week session.
• Deliver class lectures, including PowerPoint presentations, appropriate to an undergraduate/graduate level of instruction.
• Develop a syllabus and post readings and course materials on CANVAS, the University of Chicago's online learning platform.
• Ensure sessions are recorded so that students unable to attend live can access the material.
• Provide adult learners with a foundational understanding of the course topic by the end of the class.

Education Requirements

• Master's Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., history, language, or archaeology of West Asia/North Africa, or a related field pertaining to West Asia and/or North Africa) required.
• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (PhD) preferred.

Experience Requirements

• Skill in delivering engaging lectures and presentations to adult learners in a live, virtual format, and in explaining complex material clearly to a non-degree audience, required.
• Experience using Zoom or other similar platforms for live instruction and session recording, and a learning management system such as Canvas for posting materials, readings, and course resources, required.
• Demonstrated expertise in the history of West Asia and/or North Africa, required.

Technical Skills

• High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom, Box, and Google Suite (Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Forms).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required Application Documents

• Resume
• Letter of interest, describing the applicant's interest in teaching for ISAC and experience teaching online
• Proposed class title & class description
• Names & contact information for (2) references

Pay

$35.00 - $45.00 per hour. This position is not eligible for benefits.