Call for Applications

University of Chicago Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Visiting Scholar Program

The University of Chicago is now accepting applications for year four of its Endeavor Foundation Visiting Scholar program. As part of this initiative, two promising scholars from Central Europe(Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, or the Baltic States) will be invited to spend the winter and spring quarters of the 2012-13 academic year in residency at the University of Chicago. Scholars will also attend an orientation workshop at Chicago's Center in Paris in October 2012.

Program Summary: The University of Chicago Visiting Scholar program; made possible through the generous support of the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation was created with two interrelated goals: first, to help foster liberal education in Central European universities; second, to invigorate our curriculum and classrooms by bringing visiting faculty from Central European to Chicago to teach undergraduate courses in a variety of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.
During the four-year life of this program, eight promising young scholars will be integrated into the University of Chicago's intellectual community. In each of three successive academic years, the visitors will spend the Winter and Spring quarters in residence in Chicago. They will teach both a course in Chicago's Core curriculum and a more advanced course, become integrated with departments and various intellectual communities on campus, participate in pedagogical and scholarly and workshops, and advance their own research. A two-day orientation session in Paris will be organized during the fall quarter preceding Chicago residency. A Capstone Conference held at the University of Chicago Center in Paris at the conclusion of the program will reunite all six Endeavor Scholars along with their faculty mentors.

Eligibility: Applicants should be promising scholars from institutions of higher learning and advanced academic research in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, or the Baltic States with a keen intellectual interest in undergraduate teaching, as well as demonstrated academic excellence in one or more of the following disciplines: Art History, History, Music, Film, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Anthropology, Linguistics, History of Ideas, Political Science, Sociology. Teaching experience is preferred but not required, however candidates should be prepared to teach in English.

Salary & Benefits: In addition to a salary of $25,000, visiting scholars will receive a housing allowance of $1300/month during their six-month residency in Chicago and a $3000 travel and research allowance. All expenses related to mandatory travel to Paris for the orientation session and the Capstone Conference will be assumed by the University of Chicago. Visiting Scholars will be expected to secure their own health insurance.

Application Deadline: Completed applications and supporting materials (described below) must be received by April 2, 2012. All materials should be mailed to: Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Visiting Scholar Program / Office of International Education / Harper Memorial Library, 251 / 1116 E. 59th St. / Chicago, IL 60637 / USA.

Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation should be posted no later than March 26, 2012. Candidates should request that recommenders send letters directly via airmail or private courier to: Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Visiting Scholar Program / Office of International Education / Harper Memorial Library, 251 / 1116 E. 59th St. / Chicago, IL 60637 / USA.

A completed application consists of:

  • a completed application form (attached).
  • a curriculum vitae.
  • a description of the most recent major research project, not to exceed 2500 words.
  • a two-page statement describing teaching and research interests and perspectives, and how articipation might contribute to liberal education and to the development of the applicant's own teaching and research career. The statement should also include titles of courses the candidate might teach in the context of this program.
  • two letters of recommendation, submitted to Chicago directly by the recommenders.