Department

ISAC: Public Programs

About the Department

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures 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 the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures 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.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Temporary Continuing Education Instructor – Art History will teach an online, non-degree continuing education course on the art history of West Asia and/or North Africa, including the Islamic period. Through its continuing education program, ISAC offers in-depth, non-degree classes to lifelong learners, focused primarily on the ancient and medieval history of West Asia and North Africa and pitched at a level equivalent to an undergraduate or graduate university course.

Responsibilities:

• Teach one 8-week online class on the art 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.

• Structure course content to build adult learners toward a foundational understanding of the topic by the end of the session.

Competencies:

• Subject-matter expertise in the art history of West Asia and North Africa. Demonstrated knowledge of the art history of the region, including the Islamic period, sufficient to develop and teach course content at an undergraduate or graduate level.

• Ability to build a coherent syllabus, select appropriate readings, and sequence course material so that adult learners progress toward a foundational understanding of the topic over an 8-week session.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Master's Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., art history, archaeology, or language 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:

• 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.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

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

Required 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.

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Temporary Staff

Scheduled Weekly Hours

8

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Frequency

Hourly

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$35.00 - $45.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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