Assistant Professor in Modern Asian History

Wofford; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Wofford College’s History Department seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Modern Asian History to begin fall 2027. The appointment emphasizes undergraduate teaching and advising within a liberal arts setting.

The successful candidate will teach upper-division courses in Modern Asian history, a survey of Modern East Asia, and another broad survey class, and regularly teach a LIBA seminar for first-year students.

Qualifications

• A PhD in History or Asian Studies is required by the beginning of the appointment.
• Preference will be given to candidates with teaching experience at the collegiate level.
• The candidate will teach upper-division Modern Asian history (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), and a survey of Modern East Asia, plus another broad survey class.
• The candidate will regularly teach a LIBA seminar aimed at first-year students.

Responsibilities

• Teach upper-division Modern Asian history and a Modern East Asia survey.
• Advise students regularly and participate in department activities and college service.
• Contribute to Wofford College's liberal arts mission through teaching excellence.

Skills

Teaching experience

Student advising

Education

PhD in History or Asian Studies

Job description

Wofford College’s History Department

Wofford College’s History Department is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Modern Asian History to begin fall 2027.

Expectations

Wofford’s faculty teach a 3-1-3 load. The “1” indicates the January “Interim” term, during which professors may travel with students or teach on a variety of topics using experiential teaching methods. All department members are expected to advise students on a regular basis. They are also expected to be present for regular departmental activities and to help with college-wide service work. Wofford faculty are teacher-scholar with a focus on undergraduate teaching and advising and a commitment to the liberal arts.

Qualifications

A PhD in History or Asian Studies is required by the beginning of the appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with teaching experience at the collegiate level. The successful candidate will be expected to teach upper-division courses on modern Asian history (defined as the nineteenth and twentieth centuries), and also a survey of Modern East Asia history as well as another broad survey class. In addition, the candidate will be expected to regularly teach a LIBA seminar aimed at first-year students.

Application

All applicants must include the following materials:

• a letter of application that addresses how the candidate is prepared to meet the specific needs of the Wofford’s History department, why they want to teach at a small liberal arts college, and how they can contribute to Wofford College’s mission and core values;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a teaching portfolio including sample syllabi, a statement addressing the candidate’s teaching philosophy, and, if available, evidence of effective teaching.

Candidates who make it through the first round of interviews will be asked also to have professional recommendations available before the on-campus interviews.

All application materials should be uploaded through the Wofford College Workday portal at https://wofford.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Wofford. Applications must be received by October 16, 2026.

Please contact the Department Chair, Dr. Clayton Whisnant, with questions: [e-mail].

About Wofford College

Wofford College, established in 1854, is a private liberal arts residential college located a few blocks north of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. Wofford offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of nearly 1,800 undergraduates and is nationally known for the strength of its academic program, outstanding faculty, and study abroad participation. Wofford is home to one of the nation’s 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters. The college community supports 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams and numerous student organizations, including honor societies, professional organizations, faith-based organizations, Greek life, and club sports.

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spartanburg is located in upstate South Carolina, 30 miles east of Greenville, South Carolina, an hour from Charlotte, North Carolina, and three hours east of Atlanta, Georgia. Historic Charleston and the South Carolina coast are three hours away, and Wofford sits an hour south of the artistic, culinary hub of Asheville, North Carolina. Spartanburg is a growing, diverse community that supports six college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations. It became the first city in South Carolina to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and, in 2012, became one of five cities nationally to participate in the 10-year Wellville program, a national nonprofit initiative dedicated to improving equitable well-being in U.S. cities. Spartanburg and Wofford partner on multiple community equity initiatives, including the Northside Initiative, which has brought together a diverse group of citizens to revitalize a neighborhood in ways that don’t reproduce the harm of earlier urban renewal programs.

EEO Statement

Wofford College values diversity within our students, faculty and staff and strives to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people. Wofford College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For information about Wofford’s Title IX compliance, visit wofford.edu/administration/title-ix. It is the policy of Wofford College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities for employment. If you require any accommodations to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].