The Columbia College Core Curriculum invites applications for positions at the rank of Lecturer in Discipline for the 2025-2026 academic year. We are looking for experienced instructors to teach the Core courses Art Humanities, Literature Humanities, Music Humanities, or Contemporary Civilization. As the cornerstone of undergraduate general education at Columbia, the Core is required for all Columbia College students and includes students from other undergraduate schools at the University. Lecturers in Discipline teach two courses each semester.

Candidates applying to teach Art Humanities should have knowledge of major works of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Parthenon in Athens to those of the 20th century. Art Humanities is a semester-long course required for all College students, taught in seminars of 22 students, with a shared syllabus. The course is not an historical survey, but an analytical study of how to look at, think about, and engage in critical discussion of the visual arts. Instructors who teach Art Humanities will be appointed in the Department of Art History and Archaeology. 

Candidates applying to teach Literature Humanities should have knowledge of major literary and philosophical works and extensive experience working with undergraduate students. Literature Humanities is a year-long course required for all College students, taught in seminars of 22 students, with a shared syllabus. Instructors who teach Literature Humanities will be appointed by the academic department in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences relevant to the incumbent’s own field. 

Candidates applying to teach Music Humanities should have knowledge of major composers and their works from the Middle Ages to the present. Music Humanities is a semester-long course required for all College students, taught in seminars of 25 students, with a shared syllabus. Instructors who teach Music Humanities will be appointed in the Department of Music. 

Candidates applying to teach Contemporary Civilization should have knowledge of major works of moral and political philosophy and extensive experience working with undergraduate students. Contemporary Civilization is a year-long course in moral and political philosophy required for all College sophomores, taught in seminars of 22 students, with a shared syllabus. Instructors who teach Contemporary Civilization will be appointed by the academic department in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences relevant to the incumbent’s own field.

Ph.D. in the humanities, social sciences, or a related field. PhD is required by the date of appointment. Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated excellence in teaching and a commitment to best practices in pedagogy.

Using our Academic Search and Recruitment (ASR) portal, applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, teaching statement, student course evaluations, and the names and contact information of 3 references, who may be contacted at a later date. Please indicate in your cover letter the course you are applying to teach (Art Humanities, Literature Humanities, Music Humanities, or Contemporary Civilization).

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

Connections working at Columbia University