Call for Visiting Professors: Master of Arts in Religion, Culture, and Peace Studies at the University for Peace (Academic Year 2021-2022)
The University for Peace, established by the General Assembly of the United Nations, located in San Jose, Costa Rica is seeking Visiting Professors to teach courses within the MA in Religion, Culture, and Peace Studies program of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies for the academic year 2021-2022. The descriptions and dates for these courses are shared below.
❖ Perspectives on Religion and Society (3 credits)
Dates: Monday 18 October – Friday 5 November 2021
Morning Schedule: 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Central Standard Time
The course Perspectives on Religion and Society introduces the students to the key theoretical and practical dimensions, and debates related to religion as they have manifested themselves in society. It explores the ways in which religion is a strong influence in different socio-cultural contexts and the reasons behind its sustained presence and changing patterns of influence. How does religion intersect with other aspects of life such as economics, politics, and education, among others? What issues have emerged in these intersections and what ways of dealing with these have been proposed by scholars and practitioners? The course will facilitate students to delve into the responses to these and more questions in relation to religion and society.
❖ Religion, Culture, and Ecology (3 credits)
Dates: Monday 8 November – Friday 26 November 2021
Morning Schedule: 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Central Standard Time
The course on Religion, Culture, and Ecology facilitates students into engaging with the major religions and cultural traditions of the world and the symbolic, ritualistic, and philosophical connections that exist in the nexus of religion, culture, and ecology. The course explores how religious and cultural understandings can contribute meaningfully to addressing ecological concerns. How is climate change conceptualized within the frameworks of the major religions of the world? How are the relationships between humans and their environment shaped considering the influences of religious thought on these processes? What are the intersections of environmental issues and indigenous ways of engaging with the world? How can religious and cultural traditions be considered in responding to current ecological needs? These questions will be considered through the work of scholars within the areas of religion, culture, and ecology.
❖ Research Methodology (3 credits)
Dates: Monday 30 November – Friday 17 December 2021
Morning Schedule: 8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Central Standard Time
This course introduces students to research methods and aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to undertake, design, and execute a research project in the field of Peace and Conflict Studies. Starting with an examination of the meaning and purpose of research itself, the course focuses on how existing literature can be explored to identify research topics, and what the research design entails. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed designs will be considered along with the data collection tools and data analysis techniques that could be used.
Details of the Application Process
Applicants are requested to kindly make sure that they are available to teach the course on the dates shared here before applying as dates of the courses are non-negotiable and re-scheduling is not possible. The courses offered at UPEACE are intensive, and typically, final assignments by the students are due within the course period or shortly thereafter. Appointments for these visiting professor positions will be on the basis of a short-term, full-time contract for the duration of the courses. Three credit courses consist of five three-hour sessions per week over a three-week period. The honorarium for each 3 credits’ course will be US$3,000.00. Each course will be taught online through live Zoom sessions. Interested applicants are requested to review the course descriptions and determine the course for which they want to be considered as a Visiting Professor based on their relevant academic expertise and professional experience. They are then invited to apply for the positions to the following persons:
Dr. Adriana Salcedo
Head, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
asalcedo@upeace.org
Dr. Uzma Rashid
Academic Coordinator, Religion, Culture, and Peace Studies Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
urashid@upeace.org
Emailed applications must include 1) a detailed curriculum vitae (Max. 5 Pages) and 2) a cover letter mentioning which course the applicant is applying to teach, and describing briefly how their relevant experience and expertise in the topic area makes them a suitable candidate (Max. 2 Pages). Please include the words ‘UPEACE RCPS Visiting Professor’ in the subject line of the email. Successful applicants will demonstrate exceptional research and pedagogic expertise in the topic area of the relevant course and/or up-to-date outstanding practical and training experience in the intersectional area of Religion, Culture, and Peace Studies. Emailed applications must reach by11:59 PM Central Standard Time,September 10, 2021. Shortlisted candidates will be requested for an online interview.
About the Department: The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of the University for Peace offers MA programs in the areas of International Peace Studies; Gender and Peacebuilding; Peace Education; International Peace Studies with specialization in Media, Peace, and Conflict Studies; and Religion, Culture, and Peace Studies. Gender mainstreaming is an important component of all of our courses. Peace pedagogy is embraced and encouraged across all programs. For more information see www.upeace.org.
About the University: The University for Peace is renowned for its globally inclusive research and pedagogy in the broad area of Peace and Conflict. Home to the departments of Peace and Conflict Studies, Environment and Development, and International Law, it attracts a global body of students drawn from every continent of the earth every year. The University was established as a Treaty Organization of the United Nations with its own Charter in an International Agreement adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 35/55 in December 1980. Its mission is “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace and with the aim of promoting, among all human beings, the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations”. For more information see www.upeace.org.
