Assistant Professor of Peninsular (Spanish) Literature and Culture

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at California State University, Los Angeles seeks to fill a tenure-track position in Peninsular (Spanish) Literature and Culture at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August 2020. 

Minimum Qualifications:

1) An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Spanish, or in a closely related field, with a specialty in Peninsular Literature and Culture, 18th century to the present, from an accredited institution (or equivalent) is required; however, applicants nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered.  For appointment, the doctorate must be completed by the date of appointment (8/20/2020).
2) Native or near-native proficiency in both Spanish and English.
3) Demonstrated doctoral or post-doctoral research focused on the field of Peninsular Literature and Culture, 18th century to present.
4) Evidence of ability to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Spanish literature from Neoclassicism to the present.
5) Evidence of ability to teach lower-division Spanish-language courses, Hispanic literature survey courses in English, and Spanish culture courses in the BA program.
6) Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in multicultural/multiethnic urban campus environment with a substantial population of first-generation students.

Preferred Qualifications:

1) Experience or interest in developing Spanish-English translation courses is highly desirable.
2) Evidence of ability to serve as graduate advisor to the MA program.

Duties:

The primary professional responsibilities of instructional faculty members are: teaching, research, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service to the University, profession and to the community.  These responsibilities generally include: advising students, participation in campus and system-wide committees, maintaining office hours, working collaboratively and productively with colleagues, and participation in traditional academic functions.

Advising duties may include graduate and undergraduate students.

The successful candidate will be committed to the academic success of all of our students and to an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates diversity and differences. To this end, the successful candidate will work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings. In addition, the successful candidate will be ready to join faculty, staff, students, and administrators in our University’s shared commitment to the principles of engagement, service, and the public good.

The successful candidate will initially teach lower-division, upper-division, and graduate courses in Spanish language, culture, and literature, and may design new courses in her/his area of expertise.

The University:

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 23 campuses within the California State University system.  The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the U.S. for the upward mobility of its students, and is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good.  We offer nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, ethnic studies, and the humanities. Our faculty have a strong commitment to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, community engagement, and service.

Our 240,000 alumni reflect the City and County’s dynamic mix of populations.  The University has one of the most diverse student populations of any college or university in the nation.  As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, and Asian-American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Cal State LA recognizes the transformative power of education and embraces its duty to identify and serve the needs of all of its students. The University is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. 

The College:

The Cal State LA College of Arts & Letters transforms lives and sustains thriving communities and cultures. We develop and amplify our students’ unique talents, diverse life experiences, and intellects through the study and practice of the Arts and Humanities so that they can tell meaningful stories, forge their professional pathways, and inspire their communities. Our nine departments (Art, Communication Studies, English, Liberal Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, Music, Philosophy, Television, Film & Media Studies, and Theatre and Dance) include programs that lead to Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees, Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, and Master of Fine Arts degrees.

The Department:

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish, as well as minors in Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. The Department also offers a Master of Arts degree in Spanish. Our goal is to offer every student the opportunity to learn a language in addition to their primary language in order to expand their world, build their cultural competency, and develop transferable professional skills.

Required Documentation:

Please submit the following to the Search Committee Chair Elena Retzer at the email address below: 
1) A cover letter specifically addressing minimum and preferred qualifications.
2) A curriculum vitae.
3) A narrative statement describing your commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a multicultural/multiethnic urban campus environment with a substantial population of first-generation students.
4) A list of three professional references.
5) A University Application for Employment Form

Finalists will be required to submit: 
Official transcripts.

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States. 

Application:

Review of applications will begin November 15, 2019, and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, all submissions of required documentation must be received by December 13, 2019.

Please email all application materials in a single PDF to mllspanishsearch@calstatela.edu. Please type “Modern Languages and Literatures Spanish Tenure-Track Application” in the subject line.

Please address all questions to the search committee chair Elena Retzer at eretzer@calstatela.edu or 323-343-4230.

Note: The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, Cal State LA is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live, work and learn in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, marital status, pregnancy, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause undue hardship.