Sessional Lecturer - POLHF - Evidence and Argument Study of Politics

To understand politics in our information-abundant world, we need ways to make sense of the political information that surrounds us. In this course, we ask what makes for good evidence and what makes for convincing argument. We do so by raising a series of weekly topics on which there is a mass of available information - topics like climate change, political correctness, populism, and democracy promotion, among others - and discussing fundamentally different perspectives on each topic.

In the end, students will develop a fuller sense of what constitutes a well-argued and evidence-supported analysis of the political.

Class schedule: Monday, 9 AM - 11 AM (in person)
Dates of appointment: September 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026

Estimated course enrolment: 200

Estimated TA support: TA support will be determined by final enrollment numbers.

Course description: To understand politics in our information-abundant world, we need ways to make sense of the political information that surrounds us. In this course, we ask what makes for good evidence and what makes for convincing argument. We do so by raising a series of weekly topics on which there is a mass of available information - topics like climate change, political correctness, populism, and democracy promotion, among others - and discussing fundamentally different perspectives on each topic.

In the end, students will develop a fuller sense of what constitutes a well-argued and evidence-supported analysis of the political.

Salary (In accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement):

Sessional Lecturer I - $9,997.47 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE);

Sessional Lecturer I Long Term - $10,699.21 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE);

Sessional Lecturer II - $10,699.21 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE);

Sessional Lecturer II Long Term - $10,953.96 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE);

Sessional Lecturer III - $10,953.96 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE);

Sessional Lecturer III Long Term - $11,228.90 (H, half Course, 0.5 FCE).

The rates shown are inclusive of vacation pay. Please note that should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Qualifications: The successful applicant will have a PhD or be in progress of a PhD in Political Science or other relevant qualifications related to this course as described in the course description. We are seeking previous experience in teaching, teaching excellence, and mastery of the subject area. Previous experience in teaching a similar course is highly desirable.

Description of Duties: All normal duties related to the design, administration and teaching of a university credit course, including preparation and delivery of course content; supervising teaching assistants: development, administration and marking of assignments, tests and examinations, including make-up tests; calculation and submission of grades to university officials; holding regular student office hours on campus and maintaining reasonable availability for student contact.

Delivery of the course is scheduled to be in person, attendance on campus is required.

Application Instructions:
Please submit current Curriculum Vitae (including valid email address) with cover letter to:
Steven Bernstein, Distinguished Professor and Chair (jobs.pol). Please include the course  the subject line.

Closing Date: 17/07/2026, 11:59PM EDT

No late applications can be considered. A valid email address is required, and applications may be submitted electronically to the email address above. By submitting an application and CV for this position, you will receive email notification of vacancies for Sessional Lecturers within the UTM Department of Political Science for the next thirty-six (36) months

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This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note:

Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.