Assistant Professor of Spanish

The World Languages & Cultures Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, seeks applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Spanish to begin September 14, 2023. Areas of specialization preferred for this position include Chicanx/Latinx Literatures and Cultures, and Spanish-English Translation/Interpretation. Additional teaching needs: Transatlantic Literary and Cultural Studies; Indigenous Literatures and Cultures of Central/Latin America

The teaching load for this position is 3 courses (12 units) per quarter, including Spanish language (all levels), literatures and/or cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, courses in translation/interpretation, and general education courses taught in English. Department service includes curriculum and program development (including online courses), student advising and mentoring, and committee service. Other responsibilities include professional development/research. 

 

Cal Poly is committed to the teacher-scholar model. As teachers, faculty are expected to exhibit strong pedagogical skills and to remain proficient and current in their disciplines. As scholars, faculty should be engaged in scholarly work that is of very high quality as evidenced by external peer review. As colleagues, it is appropriate for faculty to perform service activities at all levels of the University. Faculty should build collaborative relationships across the University and with colleagues at other universities. A successful candidate will demonstrate willingness to work collaboratively with other departments and programs, with the local community, and with the wider profession (including community colleges), as well as a commitment to the internationalization of the university and to the integration of language learning into a wide range of undergraduate experiences, including internships and study abroad.  

Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university. Our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is three 4-unit courses per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Initial appointment is for two years, subject to renewal. An earned doctorate in Spanish or a closely related field by date of appointment is required.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds and experiences fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry and reflection on impacts of cultural context, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

 

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in Spanish or closely related discipline, completed at the time of appointment
  • Professional level proficiency in Spanish and English
  • Demonstrated knowledge of recent L2 methodology
  • Significant experience and demonstrated effectiveness teaching undergraduate-level Spanish at a post-secondary institution
  • Documented evidence of current relevant peer-reviewed scholarship in area of specialization
  • U.S. citizenship, permanent resident status, or H-1B or TN visa

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience teaching courses in Chicanx/Latinx literatures and cultures, and/or Spanish-English translation/interpretation
  • Expertise in Transatlantic literary and cultural studies, and/or indigenous literatures and cultures of Central/Latin America
  • Familiarity with the latest developments in technology-supported instruction and experience in integrating its use into the learning process, including online learning

 

Special Conditions

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.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy (Links to an external site.) and any questions you have may be submitted to academicpersonnel@calpoly.edu.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

 

About the Department

Currently the World Languages and Cultures Department, in the College of Liberal Arts, offers courses in Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Russian. The faculty consists of 8 tenured/tenure-track professors and 12 part-time lecturers. The department serves approximately 35 Spanish majors, a total of approximately 400 minors (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish), and students from throughout the university through General Education offerings. The department's website is https://wlc.calpoly.edu/.

 

How to Apply

 Interested applicants should complete the required online faculty application at  http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, and submit to Job #519285.

 

Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application: 

  • Cover letter: address the feasibility of conducting a research program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Transcript copy
  • Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: describe past experience and contributions to DEI efforts, and describe how you will demonstrate a commitment  in these areas as related to teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly
  • Teaching portfolio: provide evidence of teaching effectiveness including student evaluations and course syllabi as related to the advertised position
  • Example of scholarship or creative work

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the application. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the individuals listed by applicants. Official sealed transcript showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment. This position is open until filled.

Projected Start Date: 09-14-2023

Review Begin Date: 11-7-2022. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration.


Similar searches: Full-time, 4-year college or university, Cultural studies, California, Professor, Assistant, Spanish