Instructor, Environmental Humanities, School of the Environment (Summer 2025)

The Middlebury School of the Environment (MSoE) offers a six-week residential summer program in sustainability and leadership for undergraduates. MSoE draws upon an experiential model that includes problem and project-based learning about environmental problem solving, marine biology, environmental media and sustainability-related topics as well as environmental leadership training. The teaching experience at MSoE is quite different from many teaching positions in higher education. We seek creative, courageous and flexible applicants with a sense of humor, desire to experiment, and ability to operate as part of a team. 

We seek a humanities scholar or practitioner capable of teaching an introductory course in environmental humanities.  This course should be heavily experiential and draw upon local natural and cultural resources at sites in/around Monterey, California. The course should emphasize experimentation, exploration and creativity. Applicants should be able to describe the ways that their pedagogical approach will assist students to transfer skills and knowledge from their courses into the practice of environmental leadership. 

This instructor will also co-teach a course titled Environmental Analysis. The Environmental Analysis course is an interdisciplinary exploration of the ways that environmental professionals integrate skill sets to develop creative solutions to environmental challenges. In the past the course has been co-taught by pairings including an ecologist and filmmaker, ethicist and geologist, and urban planner and journalist. The partnership for 2025 depends on staffing. 

During the program’s operation from June 6-July 18, all instructors are expected to work full-time (approximately 40hrs/week). This includes some evenings and weekends. MSoE attempts to create a strong learning community among students and faculty which includes participation in community-building events, leadership workshops and recreational activities. The humanities instructor will be expected to develop and participate in some of these workshops.  

Specific responsibilities

• Teach one class in Environmental Humanities; 
• Co-teach one class titled Environmental Analysis; 
• Attend faculty meetings as requested; 
• Scout field sites for courses and other experiential opportunities; 
• Assist in the development of program orientation and other professional/leadership development training/workshops; 
• Attend school events, including curricular/co-curricular/extra-curricular activities throughout the duration of the program (e.g. group dinners, film showings, games, workshops, hikes, field trips). 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in the humanities or related field. A master’s degree may be acceptable with significant professional experience.  
• Teaching experience at the college level and in experiential settings. 
• Knowledge of local natural resources and marine sites in/around Monterey, CA. 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills. 

Term

June 4-July 18, 2025. (Faculty meetings and course preparation will start earlier. Approximately 2-4hrs/month March-May) 

Compensation

$8,600/term

Hours

40hrs/week

Application Materials:

● A detailed resume;

● A statement of teaching philosophy;

● Contact Information for two references that can speak to your capacities to excel in this position.

Please send application and materials before December 1, 2024.