Assistant Professor in French & Francophone Studies (Tenure-Track)

PURPOSE

The Department of Modern Languages & Literatures at Santa Clara University (SCU), a Jesuit Catholic university,  is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning September 1, 2024. We are seeking a  teacher-scholar whose research and teaching interests lie in pre-20th Century French Studies, from the Enlightenment and its political, social, and cultural developments, to the early 20th century. The candidate must have the ability to design and teach innovative courses that cover the whole modern period, between the late 18th century and early 20th century, and that connect the literary to broader issues in philosophy, political history, cultural history, the history of democracy, and of global modernity. 

We are seeking a dynamic teacher-scholar committed to interdisciplinary inquiry who can complement, strengthen, and expand the competencies of our program and department. The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence of a rigorous and sustainable research agenda. They  must also demonstrate intellectual breadth and the ability to build curricular connections with other disciplines, and to foster innovative collaborations with faculty in various units on campus. The candidate must be able and willing to support the department in curriculum development within their area of expertise, teach a variety of courses outside of their field of specialization, including lower division language and culture courses (all levels), foundational courses (composition, advanced writing…), interdisciplinary courses in English for the Core Curriculum, upper-level courses in French cultures and other such courses that will advance the department’s efforts to promote global competence in the Jesuit model of education.  SCU is on the quarter system and faculty are expected to teach 6 courses per year (2 each quarter), assuming they are engaged in an active scholarship program. Teaching reductions are available for candidates who secure extramural funding, among other options. Housing assistance is available.

Significant training and practice with proficiency and Standards-based second language pedagogy are expected and a secondary interest in Translation/ Interpretation highly desirable. Responsibilities will include language coordination at the elementary level. The successful candidate must demonstrate the creativity, leadership skills and commitment to contribute significantly to program and departmental growth and diversification. 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
The following are required of all candidates:

  • Ph.D. in French: specialization in the late modern period (18th, 19th and early 20th Century)
  • ABD considered: Ph.D. in hand by time of appointment (ABDs selected for a zoom interview must provide evidence of capacity to complete degree by time of appointment).
  • Secondary expertise and/or experience in Translation/Interpretation.
  • Demonstrate evidence of a rigorous and sustainable research agenda and ability to integrate research and teaching
  • Significant training and practice with communicatively-oriented, proficiency and Standards-based language instruction and assessment.
  • Native or near native proficiency (oral & written production and comprehension) skills in French and English
  • Evidence of creativity in curriculum innovation
  • Ability to develop and teach courses outside of their area of expertise
  • Ability and desire to build curricular connections and engage in course development with other disciplines (e.g. STEM, Political Science, History, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Communications, Psychology, etc.)
  • Ability to promote diversity within curriculum (esp. with respect to traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups) and departmental extracurricular activities (cultural events, outreach, etc.)
  • Solid proficiency with digital technologies and social media as they relate to teaching, research and service
  • Ability to serve as a mentor to students, especially those of diverse backgrounds
  • Demonstrated interest and potential in mentoring undergraduates in research and/or internships
  • Ability and interest in enhancing students’ learning experience outside of the classroom, including organizing cultural events, academic presentations, etc.
  • Willingness and skills to contribute significantly to program and departmental growth and diversification, and to take on and be effective in important faculty leadership roles in the near and far term
  • Demonstrated understanding and support of the University’s Jesuit mission
  • Demonstrated potential to contribute to one or more departmental, College, or University or priorities, connection to SCU Centers of Distinction (Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics)
  • Ability to work in a collegial and collaborative manner with department and university colleagues to help address priorities and achieve strategic goals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Success in teaching lower and upper-division courses in French language and culture
  • Interest in teaching French for the Professions types of courses.
  • Experience in program development
  • Commitment to student recruitment and retention

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tenure track faculty at SCU are teaching scholars who are expected to balance teaching, research, and service. This is an in-person position.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Teach courses as assigned which may include elementary through advanced courses in language and culture as well as Core courses in English.  Teaching load is 7-courses (over 3 quarters) per year with one course reduction for scholarship, and an additional reduction in first year of tenure track).
  • Design creative learning experiences, provide students timely feedback, measure student learning outcomes within the context of departmental and Core objectives, and submit grades by the designated deadline. Maintain regular office hours at times reasonably convenient to students. Serve as an advisor and mentor to students.
  • Develop and sustain a rigorous scholarship agenda and superior scholarly profile: produce a body of high quality scholarship that is validated (i.e. peer reviewed) and disseminated to publics beyond the University, that demonstrates a high level of academic expertise (e.g. research, criticism, (re)analysis, (re)interpretation, and creative expression, etc.), and that makes an original contribution to the candidate’s area of research and teaching.
  • Develop new courses and build curricular connections with other disciplines (e.g. STEM, Business, Political Science, Sociology, History, Communications, Psychology, etc.) and SCU Centers of Distinction (Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics).
  • Keep abreast of innovations and best practices in the disciplinary field and in second language pedagogy.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in creative efforts to enhance students’ learning experience outside of the classroom, including organizing cultural events, academic presentations, etc.
  • Engage in meaningful and useful service that promotes department, college and university strategic goals and priorities, commensurate to rank.

 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 20, 2023

START DATE:  September 1, 2024

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT

Please submit the following materials through the hiring portal.  Use the link to SCU application site to apply

1.  Letter of application, including a statement/ information regarding:

  • applicant’s teaching philosophy, research plan (including how they foster intradepartmental and/or interdepartmental connections), and experience working with people of diverse cultures and identities.
  • applicant’s vision for promoting student interest in French Studies.
  • the applicant’s commitment to the Jesuit model of educating the whole person.
  • how the applicant meets other required and desirable qualifications.

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Graduate transcripts (unofficial, with official available upon request)

4. Three letters of recommendation (two additional references to be available upon request) -- SEE NOTE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

5.  Evidence of teaching excellence (small portfolio of sample syllabi, faculty evaluations and student teaching evaluations from most recent position

6. A representative sample of scholarship, e.g. an in-press or published article, dissertation chapter, etc.

7. Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to provide a videotaped teaching demonstration from one of his/her classes.

NOTE RE: LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

CONFIDENTIAL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION MUST BE E-MAILED DIRECTLY TO THE PRIMARY RECRUITER: JBoutouba@scu.edu  with a CC to: modernlanguages@scu.edu 

NON-CONFIDENTIAL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION MAY BE UPLOADED BY THE APPLICANT ALONG WITH OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Questions about this position may be directed to the Primary Recruiter: Jimia Boutouba, JBoutouba@scu.edu 

COVID-19 Statement

The health and safety of the university community is a top priority. All Santa Clara University students, and employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or request a medical or religious exemption. Please visit our COVID-19 webpage for additional information.

Work Authorization:

A foreign national who is appointed to a tenured or tenure-track faculty position is eligible for sponsorship by Santa Clara University.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is Aaron Zisser, Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 408-551-3043, azisser@scu.edu , www.scu.edu/title-ix. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.


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