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

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.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (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.

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:
  
  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:
  
  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.

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

Temporary Staff Scheduled Weekly Hours 10 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Frequency Hourly Pay Rate Type Hourly FLSA Status Non‑Exempt 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.

Eligible This position is not eligible for benefits.

The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of…