Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture Instructor, Experiential Learning/Directed Study - Chicago Chicago, IL · Contractor

Apply for Instructor, Experiential Learning/Directed Study - Chicago

The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture equips college students and other participants to learn from diverse urban communities through innovative programs, seminars, and internships. Together, these centers are redefining urban internships. The programs emphasize innovative, community-focused pedagogies that not only expand the traditional college classroom experience but also promote self-awareness, global citizenship, and engagement with issues like race, equity, and inclusion through critical place-based pedagogies. In 2023, the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture began managing The Philadelphia Center, an urban experiential learning program that integrates urban living, academic study, and professional development with every student’s experience. We use the city as a classroom, providing social and academic support through thought-provoking courses.

Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture

Job Description: Instructor, Experiential Learning - Chicago              

The Chicago Center invites expressions of interest in part-time faculty teaching opportunities in Chicago for the spring 2025 semester, focusing on experiential learning with undergraduate students.

The Instructor, Experiential Learning, will teach one undergraduate course at the Chicago Center’s location in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

About the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture

For 50+ years, we have leveraged the power of place and people to create transformative student learning experiences. Today, we prepare students to be global citizens with greater self-awareness and career preparedness for a more just world.

The Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture equips college students and other participants to learn from diverse urban communities through innovative programs, seminars, and internships.

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Since 1970, the Chicago Center has expanded the traditional classroom with a community-based, first-voice pedagogy that prepares its students for greater self-awareness and global citizenship. In 2023, we began managing The Philadelphia Center, an urban experiential learning program that integrates urban living, academic study, and professional development with every student’s experience. We use the city as a classroom, providing social and academic support through thought-provoking courses.

Together, these centers are redefining urban internships. The programs emphasize innovative, community-focused pedagogies that not only expand the traditional college classroom experience but also promote self-awareness, global citizenship, and engagement with issues like race, equity, and inclusion through critical place-based pedagogies.

Program Overview

The Urban Internship Program offers two courses, each occurring weekly, for students enrolled in the program. We’re hiring an instructor for the Directed Study Course. The Instructor for the Directed Study course will meet weekly for the first 7-10 weeks of the semester, and then on an as needed basis till the end of the semester. 

Directed Study Course Overview

This course offers an in-depth exploration of urban dynamics, with a special focus on Chicago. This course is tailored to provide students with a rich, hands-on experience in urban research and field studies. It combines individual and group projects that enhance critical thinking, cultural awareness, and research skills, particularly in urban contexts. Students will delve into the complexities of urban challenges and the diverse communities within Chicago through both group and individual projects. A significant aspect of this course is the completion of a research design project centered on a Chicago-based study.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The instructor will teach in the Urban Internship Program.

Effective teaching requires content expertise: Faculty must demonstrate deep subject knowledge, including key concepts, current and relevant research, methodologies, tools and techniques, and meaningful applications. Consequently, faculty members are expected to do the following, possess thorough and accurate knowledge of his or her specific field/discipline including the ability to evaluate and apply content.

• Teach the assigned course following the existing syllabus and program goals
• Evaluate the progress of students in all classes according to institutional or program criteria
• Plan and deliver lectures, discussions, and assignments
• Grade assignments and complete all instruction-related paperwork (e.g., textbook requests, incomplete grade contracts, etc.) by the deadlines provided by the supervisor.
• Define and practice a clear communication policy with students (i.e., maintain office hours for student consultation and return student emails and phone calls).
• Participate in Chicago Center activities when possible.
• Strive to increase teaching effectiveness through the application of appropriate teaching and learning strategies; evaluate student learning and modify instructional methods and strategies as appropriate to meet diverse student needs.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate is preferred, master’s degree required, and 3-4 years post-master’s degree experience required.
• Teaching experience and work in higher education recommended. 
• Qualified candidates must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring a diverse student population and to working effectively with faculty, staff and students across a wide range of disciplines.
• Experience in student support, advising, writing, interview skills, and assessment related to internship experiences preferred.
• Experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and supporting students from historically underrepresented or minoritized backgrounds, is essential.

We are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. To ensure that our organization continues to incorporate everyone’s perspectives and experience, we never discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or marital, veteran, or disability status.

We value a diverse workplace and encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

To apply, please submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae

1. Cover Letter that includes:
2. A statement including a description of background, skills and expertise relevant to this position as well as a statement of approach to instruction.
3. If available, evidence of teaching effectiveness such as teaching portfolios, reports on teaching observations, and/or student evaluations of teaching.

1. Reference List - names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) referees whom we may contact to obtain letters of recommendation.

Formal review of applications will begin 10/1/2024 and continue until the position is filled.

The Chicago Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Executive Director Tyler Hough at [email protected].