Assistant Professor of Chinese

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a BA in Languages, Literatures & Cultures with possible concentrations in Chinese, French & Francophone Studies, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian. We also offer minors in Hebrew and Latin, and electives in Arabic and classical Greek. The department is composed of 16 faculty members with research and teaching expertise in major world languages and cultures. We prepare and engage students to become informed international citizens, who develop effective multi-lingual and cultural communication expertise and problem-solving skills. Our students apply their linguistic and cultural competencies to a wide variety of majors, careers, and future global challenges, while deepening their empathy for and curiosity about the diversity of human experiences.

Our Chinese curriculum prepares students to engage in a global world, equipped with advanced Chinese language skills, literary and cultural knowledge. Our students are double and triple majors in a variety of disciplines, most notably, international studies and business. They frequently receive highly competitive scholarships, internships and post-graduate positions, such as the US Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarships, Schwarzman Scholars, and positions as career diplomates. In addition to the BA in Languages, Literatures & Cultures with a concentration in Chinese and the minor, the Chinese program is a key contributor to the interdisciplinary Asian Studies major.

The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to integrate content and issues relating to, and to work effectively with, nationally/ethnically/racially diverse populations.

Position Summary

The University of Denver invites applications for a full-time, appointed, tenure-track assistant professor of Chinese. We seek a generalist who can teach a broad range of courses in both Chinese and English effectively and who is also a productive scholar. We are particularly interested in candidates with a specialization in contemporary Chinese literature, film and/or cultural studies, as well as a commitment to interdisciplinary perspectives in teaching and scholarship. The tenure-track appointment with full benefits will take effect 1 September 2023. Course load is six (6) courses per year in a three-quarter calendar. The ideal candidate demonstrates experience and versatility in inclusive pedagogy. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity, equity and inclusion through their scholarship, teaching and service.

Essential Functions

  • Scholarly potential and the pursuit of an active research agenda
  • Teach six courses over three academic quarters
  • Teach courses at all levels on Chinese language, culture and literature, as well as supervise independent studies and honors theses
  • Create and teach courses for the University’s undergraduate common curriculum (in English)
  • Hold regular office hours to meet with students
  • Advise students about major and concentration requirements
  • Contribute to University, College, and departmental service. Departmental service includes student advising and participation in program assessment and in extracurricular activities promoting the department and the Chinese program.

Required Qualifications

  • ABD at the time of application in Chinese Literary and/or Cultural Studies or a closely related field with a strong Chinese component, with the expectation that the PhD will be in hand prior to the official start date of 1 September, 2023.
  • Native or near-native proficiency in Chinese and English.
  • Record of excellence and effectiveness teaching Chinese language, literature and/or culture to students at the college or university level for 1-3 years. 
  • Ability to teach cultural studies in a Chinese context.
  • Experience or evidence of a commitment to incorporate inclusive pedagogies to effectively engage broadly diverse student populations.
  • Evidence of a commitment to quality professional development in scholarship and teaching.

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD in Chinese Literary and/or Cultural Studies, or closely related field.
  • Evidence of a vibrant research agenda.
  • Record of excellence and effectiveness teaching Chinese language, literature and/or culture to students at the college or university level for 3 or more years. 
  • Experience in developing curriculum and teaching courses focused on a variety of aspects of contemporary Chinese Studies.
  • Evidence of successful teaching of cultural studies in a Chinese context. 
  • Experience in designing courses and in assessing classes and programs.
  • Experience and accomplishments in active support of diversity, equity and inclusion and/or working with diverse communities. 
  • Evidence of pursuing quality professional development in scholarship and teaching.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 1, 2022.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $64,000-$72,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Two-page cover letter including a statement describing how the candidate’s research, teaching, and/or service contributes to DU’s values, practices, and actions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates can view DU’s DEI Strategic Plan here (https://www.du.edu/equity/dei-action-plan) and/or the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) DEI Strategic plan here (https://liberalarts.du.edu/news-events/all-articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-strategic-plan-cahss).
3. One-page critical reflection on teaching experiences that engages with student feedback, peer assessment of their teaching, and/or relevant scholarship.
4. A sample of the applicant’s writing (7-10 pages) that may inform their teaching of an upper-level Chinese literary and/or cultural studies course.
5. Evidence of teaching excellence in Chinese language, literature and/or culture, for instance: 1-2 syllabi and 1-3 sample lesson plans, proposed or actual; an unedited teaching video clip (maximum 15 min.) of a course taught in Chinese, etc.
6. Names and information for 3 references that can provide letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation will be requested upon application submission. 

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.


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