Fletcher Jones Chair in Western Culture– Professor/Endowed Chair

Pepperdine University invites applications and nominations for the Fletcher Jones Chair of Western Civilization, a distinguished endowed faculty position dedicated to the study, teaching, and public advancement of the intellectual, cultural, political, and religious traditions that have shaped Western civilization. The Chair will provide scholarly and pedagogical leadership within Seaver College, engaging students in the great texts, ideas, and historical developments that inform contemporary life, while contributing to Pepperdine's mission of integrating faith, learning, and scholarship.

This is a senior appointment reserved for a scholar of national or international distinction whose research and teaching illuminate the foundations of Western thought, including but not limited to classical philosophy, political theory, literature, history, and the Christian tradition, and whose work models rigorous, values-engaged scholarship consistent with Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Pepperdine University is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and enduring spiritual values. Seaver College, Pepperdine's undergraduate liberal arts college located on the Malibu campus, is known for its strong core curriculum, integration of faith and learning, and commitment to preparing students for purposeful lives of service and leadership.

• Teaching undergraduate seminars in Great Books with the option of teaching courses aligned with disciplinary expertise.
• Pursue an active program of scholarly research and publication that advances public and academic understanding of Western intellectual traditions
• Provide thought leadership through public lectures, symposia, and engagement with broader university and community audiences
• Mentor students and junior faculty, fostering intellectual formation consistent with Pepperdine's mission
• Contribute to curriculum development, particularly in the established and evolving Great Books program
• Represent Pepperdine in relevant academic and public forums, enhancing the university's reputation in this field
• Participate in university service, including committee work and institutional initiatives related to the humanities

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Requirements include a Ph.D. or equivalent, a demonstrable commitment to excellent teaching, especially in general education; and an outstanding record of peer-reviewed scholarly publication generally commensurate with the rank of associate or full professor.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; effective date of employment is August 1, 2027. Please submit all application materials to https://apply.interfolio.com/197348.

The standard application documents are: 

• A letter of application
• A curriculum vitae 
• Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation is required when submitting an application.
• Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
• Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate’s values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
• Scholarly/Creative agenda. The statement should outline applicants’ short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research and/or creative activities. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
• Response to Mission. Pepperdine University’s mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the churches of Christ, it is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context which celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.

At Seaver College, the undergraduate college of letters, arts, and science at Pepperdine, our faith calls us to uphold the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence. To achieve this goal, the college’s mission statement affirms that we are a Christian college where each student is a person of infinite dignity and their total development is centered at the heart of our educational enterprise. Arising from our faith, we commit to pursue truth relentlessly in all disciplines, fully confident that it has nothing to fear from investigation.

Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and Seaver College and address the following areas in their response.

• A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
• Active participation in a community of faith.
• Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom. 

Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.) 

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

Dr. Paul Begin (paul.begin@pepperdine.edu)
Seaver College, Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263

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