Current opportunities

The Contemporary Asian Studies program seeks 1 Course Instructor for the following course:

CAS390H1F: Special Topics: Technology and Development in Asia

As late as the 1980s, large parts of India and China were impoverished as the world was just beginning to look toward the “Asian Tigers” like Singapore or Taiwan for glimpses of possible transformations in global capitalism.  By the turn of the 21st century, geo-economic balance seemed to have shifted definitively toward Asia as a whole as some kind of equilibrium of the earth that had been disrupted by European empires from the 16th to the 19th centuries. In 2025, the discourse on technology, economy, and politics almost completely presumes that 21st century is an Asian century.  How did the world get here? What is the role of colonialism, technology, and the cultures of Asian communities in all of this? And where do debates on international trade, whether framed as the “Washington” or “Beijing” consensus leave us in an age of populist nationalisms and artificial intelligence? And most importantly, even if it is an “Asian Century,” will it save the planet from an almost certain destruction from humans’ carbon overload?  In addressing these questions, this interdisciplinary course welcomes undergraduate students to a reading and writing intensive exploration of the technology, politics, and culture of Asian development in 20th century and the 21st. 

Minimum Qualifications

Candidate must be a PhD candidate or post-doctoral fellow in any of the following or related disciplines: History, Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Political Science, Sociology, Religion or South Asian Studies, with current knowledge of research in the area. As the course is an important component of the Contemporary Asian Studies program. 

Preferred Qualifications

The candidate would preferably have pedagogical and/or research experience that addresses larger global themes, such as democracy and authoritarianism, public culture, economic development and capitalism, through deep site-specific study. A strong scholarly background in disciplines relevant to the course is preferred. 

Relevant Criterion

The need to acquire experience is the more relevant criterion than previous experience in respect of this posted position. 

Duties

• Developing syllabus 

• Planning and teaching weekly lectures 

• Creating and marking tests and assignments 

• Providing scheduled office hours for academic counselling 

• Maintaining Quercus site 

Duties of this position shall be performed at the campus on which the position is located. Where the duties are intended to be performed at another location, such other location will be specified in the posting.

Estimated Course Enrolment: 30 students

Estimate of TA Support: NA  

Rate of Pay: $10,366.55 (includes additional stipend) 

Application Process

Applicants should submit a cover letter, C.V., previous teaching evaluations if available, and a list of 2 academic references by June 9, 2025. Applications should be sent via email to Asian Institute Program Administrator and Communications Officer, Rebecca Bi at ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca.  YOU MUST USE THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR SUBJECT LINE: TA APPLICATION: COURSE CODE: LAST NAME. Please attach your CV and cover letter as PDFs, and label your attachments as follows: Last Name_First Name_Cover; Last Name_First Name_CV.

To access accommodation during the application and hiring processes, and throughout the duration of the appointment, please contact Rebecca Bi at ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca. 

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the position.

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca. During employment, to request accommodation from the University, contact the supervisor or department chair and/or Health & Wellbeing Programs & Services at hwb@utoronto.ca. For more information about accommodations at U of T, please visit our Accommodation webpage. 

The hiring criteria for Course Instructors positions are academic qualifications, the need to acquire experience, previous teaching experience and previous satisfactory employment under the provisions of this Collective Agreement. 

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the position. 

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.  

The position(s) posted above is (are) tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolments. 

Positions posted here are open to Graduate Students in the School of Graduate Studies, Postdoctoral Fellows and Undergraduate Students in the University of Toronto. 

Filling sessional lecturer positions under the CUPE3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement

How to submit an application

The Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science may hire Sessional Lecturers to deliver some of its undergraduate courses. Specific courses will be posted on the Asian Institute website at munkschool.utoronto.ca/ai/current-opportunities , and on our Departmental bulletin board at 1 Devonshire Place, North House, outside room 228N. To be considered for a position, the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 application form and Curriculum Vitae must be submitted to:

Katherine MacIvor
Program Advisor, Asian Institute
Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto
1 Devonshire Place, Room 228N
Toronto, ON M5S 3K7
Email: ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-946-8832

A valid email address is required. We prefer that applications and CVs be submitted via email.

General information

Generally speaking, we expect to make decisions concerning courses in May for Winter or Fall courses; and in March for Spring and Summer courses. However, some decisions may be made earlier or later than these time frames, depending on circumstances. Unexpected vacancies may arise at any time.

Applications will be retained for twenty-four (24) months. Persons who submit applications and CVs will receive emailed job postings for specific positions for the subsequent twenty-four (24) months.

This notice is posted pursuant to the CUPE Local 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. Please note that in accordance with that agreement, preference in hiring is given to qualified persons advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12.

Please visit the University’s Current Opportunities Webpage for Sessional Lecturer positions: https://jobs.utoronto.ca/go/CUPE-3902-%28Unit-3%29-Opportunities/2607317/ 

Description:

Course number and title: CAS370H1S: Asian Cities

Course description: This course offers a multidisciplinary perspective of urban life in Asia. The thematic focus will be on how the urban intersects with modernities and postcolonial formations. Drawing on recent scholarship in the social sciences and the humanities, we will examine the realignment of cultural, political, and economic forces associated with Asia’s diverse processes of urbanization. 

Estimated course enrolment: 65 students

Estimated TA support: 70 hours

Class schedule: Wednesdays: 11:00 am -13:00 pm

*Please note, the delivery method for this course is currently in-person. Please note that, in keeping with current circumstances, the course delivery method may change as determined by the Faculty or the Department.

Sessional dates of appointment: January 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026

Salary: Sessional Lecturer I (SL I): $9,820.70; Sessional Lecturer I - Long Term (SL I -LT): $10,510.04; Sessional Lecturer II (SL II): $10,510.04; Sessional Lecturer II – Long Term (SL II -LT): $10,760.28; Sessional Lecturer III (SL III): $10,760.28; Sessional Lecturer III – Long Term (SL III – LT): $11,030.36. 

Please note that should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail. 

Minimum qualifications: Completed PhD in the disciplines of Anthropology, History, Sociology, Asian Studies, Geography, or related fields, as well as current knowledge of research in these areas are required. A strong scholarly background in disciplines relevant to the course is required. Applicants should have a strong commitment to teaching. 

Preferred qualifications: Demonstrated evidence of excellence in undergraduate teaching and mastery of the subject area is preferred. Previous experience in teaching a similar course is preferred.  

Description of duties:

• Preparation of course syllabus and course marking scheme 

• Planning and teaching weekly lectures 

• Setting and marking assignments/tests/exams and course administration in accordance with University regulations as described in the Faculty of Arts & Science Academic Handbook for Instructors 

• Create and maintain Quercus site for the course 

• Submission of grades 

• Available for office hours for academic counselling of students 

• Dealing with student enquiries, appeals and petitions 

• Supervising and training TA 

Application Procedure: 

All individuals interested in this position must submit an updated Curriculum Vitae and the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 application form. Prior syllabi and teaching evaluations, if available, may be submitted as part of the application package. Please submit materials to: 

Program Administrator and Communications Officer, Contemporary Asian Studies Program 

Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto 

Email: ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca    

Closing Date: 06/27/2025, 11:59PM EDT
**

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. 

 It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.  

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.

Description:

Course number and title: CAS310H1F: Special Topics in Contemporary Asian Studies

Course description: This course is designed for senior undergraduate students who wish to enhance their knowledge of Asia’s adoption of the Internet and digital tools, and how these tools and systems are reshaping Asian societies, including their politics, culture, and social movements. We will study how governments in the region regulate information flows online and experiment on new technologies that have the potential to either curtail or encourage public participation. This course will also examine the private sector’s outsized role in our digital economy and its consequences for human rights and good governance. Finally, we will shed light on the role of the Internet as a site of contestation, where representation, dissent, and resistance are developed and negotiated. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and distinguish the range of actors, institutions, and policies that constitute our global network society, and understand Asia’s impact on the future of technology. There are no exams in this course. Coursework includes a quiz, a presentation, discussion board posts, essays, and class participation. Assignments in the course are designed to help students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, and learn how to write to different audiences.

Estimated course enrolment: 35 students
Estimated TA support: NA

Class schedule: Mondays: 11:00 am -13:00 pm

*Please note, the delivery method for this course is currently in-person. Please note that, in keeping with current circumstances, the course delivery method may change as determined by the Faculty or the Department.

Sessional dates of appointment: January 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026

Salary: Sessional Lecturer I (SL I): $9,820.70; Sessional Lecturer I - Long Term (SL I -LT): $10,510.04; Sessional Lecturer II (SL II): $10,510.04; Sessional Lecturer II – Long Term (SL II -LT): $10,760.28; Sessional Lecturer III (SL III): $10,760.28; Sessional Lecturer III – Long Term (SL III – LT): $11,030.36. 

Please note that should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail. 

Minimum qualifications: Completed PhD in the disciplines of Political Science, Anthropology, History, Sociology, Asian Studies, Geography, or related fields is required. A strong scholarly background in disciplines relevant to the course is required. Applicants should have a strong commitment to teaching.   

Preferred qualifications: Demonstrated evidence of excellence in undergraduate teaching and mastery of the subject area is preferred. Previous experience in teaching a similar course is preferred.  

Description of duties:

• Preparation of course syllabus and course marking scheme 

• Planning and teaching weekly lectures 

• Setting and marking assignments/tests/exams and course administration in accordance with University regulations as described in the Faculty of Arts & Science Academic Handbook for Instructors 

• Create and maintain Quercus site for the course 

• Submission of grades 

• Available for office hours for academic counselling of students 

• Dealing with student enquiries, appeals and petitions 

• Supervising and training TAs

Application Procedure: 

All individuals interested in this position must submit an updated Curriculum Vitae and the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 application form. Prior syllabi and teaching evaluations, if available, may be submitted as part of the application package. Please submit materials to: 

Program Administrator and Communications Officer, Contemporary Asian Studies Program 

Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto 

Email: ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca    

Closing Date: 06/27/2025, 11:59PM EDT
**

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. 

 It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.  

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.