In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must apply to this posting through this website with a cover letter, and CV combined and uploaded as one document. In addition please send a sample syllabi to history-assocchair@umich.edu. 

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and the Department of History at the University of Michigan invite applications for a Lecturer I position to teach a survey course on modern East Asia for the Winter Term 2026. This appointment will hold a  33.33% effort and is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026 and end on April 30, 2026.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The successful applicant will teach the following course:

HISTORY/ASIAN 205

Modern East Asia 

Monday / Wednesday 10:00 - 11:30 AM

This course is an introduction to modern China, Korea, and Japan from 1600 to the present, with emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It covers the following topics: China's progressive decline and rejuvenation, the impact of imperialism, the rise and development of the PRC; the struggles of Korea, its colonization by Japan; liberation and division into the two Koreas, and the rising economic status of the South; and the end of feudalism in Japan, the building of a modern state and economy, Japanese imperialism, postwar recovery, and the rise to super-power status. 

Taking a broad comparative perspective on East Asia, the course explores the inter-relations between political economy, society, and culture in each country within an emerging modern world system.

Duties of this position are expected to include teaching, developing course materials, evaluating and grading students, providing an appropriate syllabus and course materials electronically, and holding regularly scheduled office hours. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the instructor will oversee the course Graduate Student Instructor (GSI).

Note: This is a non-tenure track position for Winter 2026 only. A typical full-time (100% effort) load for a Lecturer I in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is three courses per semester. 

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in history or a closely related field. The candidate must have demonstrated excellence in college-level teaching in the United States.

The selection criteria used for this search is based on how well the applicant's education and experience meets the required minimum qualifications for the position. Excellence in teaching and instruction will be the principal criteria used to select the successful candidate.

Additional requirements include demonstrated successful teaching experience and enthusiasm for teaching undergraduate students.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The chair of the hiring committee is Derek Peterson, Associate Chair of the History Department. Questions may be emailed to: history-assocchair@umich.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The deadline for applications is October 27, 2025. The anticipated date by which an offer will be made is no later than November 14, 2025. The appointment opportunity described in this posting is subject to final approval by the academic unit.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.