Lecturer in Spanish Studies

PURPOSE

The Department of Modern Languages & Literatures at Santa Clara University (SCU), a Jesuit Catholic university, seeks applicants for a Lecturer position in Spanish Studies, with a specialization in Second Language Acquisition and/or Pedagogy. The successful candidate must demonstrate intellectual breadth, the ability to build curricular connections with other disciplines (e.g. Education, Psychology, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Communications, engineering, Business, etc.), and experience and expertise in program development and assessment so as to contribute to our department’s continued efforts to promote global competence in the Jesuit model of education.

Faculty responsibilities include (1) teaching and advising (70%), (2) service (15%), and (3) professional activity (15%). The successful candidate will teach seven undergraduate courses per year on the quarter system. This is a full-time, non-tenure-able appointment that may be renewed for additional terms contingent upon availability of funds, persistent programmatic need, and superior teaching, service, and professional activity. The initial appointment is for three years, with the possibility of additional terms of three years, and then up to six years dependent on performance, programmatic need, and funding. After nine years, there is the possibility of promotion to senior lecturer.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The following are required of all candidates:

• Ph.D. (in hand at time of application) in the field of Spanish, Hispanic Linguistics, or Education, with a specialization in areas such as: critical pedagogy, student-centered learning, dialogic learning, sociology of education, second language acquisition, applied linguistics, and sub-specialization and/or significant experience in any of the following: Pedagogy, Translation/Interpretation, Spanish for heritage speakers, learning spaces and environments, Language testing and assessment, Spanish for the professions (esp. business and health), or other related areas.
• Significant experience and expertise with communicatively-oriented, proficiency and Standards-based language instruction and assessment, and program placement, articulation and assessment.
• Native or near-native proficiency (oral & written production and comprehension) skills in Spanish and English
• Evidence of at least two years of excellence in teaching as an instructor of record in Spanish language at elementary and intermediate university levels
• Evidence of creativity in curriculum innovation
• Ability and desire to build curricular connections and engage in course development with other disciplines (e.g. Education, Psychology, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, Communications, STEM, Business, etc.)
• Ability to promote diversity within the 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 and service
• Ability to serve as a mentor to students, especially those of diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrate interest and potential in mentoring undergraduates looking for 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
• Demonstrate understanding and support of the University’s Jesuit mission
• Potential to contribute to one or more departmental, College, or University priorities, or 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 goals

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience implementing community-based, experiential, and/or project-based learning;
• Success in teaching upper-division courses in Spanish language, culture and linguistics;
• Experience with Spanish for heritage speakers
• Experience teaching Spanish for the Professions courses, with a focus on Spanish for business and health professions

RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties include but are not limited to:

Teaching (70%)

Teach courses as assigned which may include elementary through advanced (upper-division) courses in language, culture, and Hispanic linguistics. The teaching load is 7 courses (over 3 quarters) per year. Fulfill all responsibilities associated with assigned courses, including:

• Design creative learning experiences, provide students timely feedback, measure student learning outcomes within the context of departmental and Core objectives and the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards, 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.
• Submitting student grades to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline; 
• Administering numeric and narrative course evaluations to all students in all sections;
• Develop and sustain a rigorous professional development agenda with a focus on program development, improving teaching techniques in the classroom, improving assessment of student learning, improving cross-cultural awareness and competence in the language classroom, and creative expression in the language classroom.
• Develop new courses and build curricular connections with other disciplines (e.g. engineering, Business, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, 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 their disciplinary field and 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.
• Fulfilling other instructional or academic duties as may be assigned by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences or the chair/program director.

Service (15%)
As appropriate to rank, engaging in service to the department, College, University, profession and the wider community, such as serving on committees, participating in professional organizations and activities, participating in and providing support for department and campus events, or working with SCU’s Centers of Excellence and/or Residential Learning Communities.

Professional Activity (15%)
Participating in professional activity that is appropriate to the discipline and that contributes to their primary responsibility for teaching. Note: Lecturers shall not be held to the same standards of scholarship as tenure-track

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Full consideration will be given to all applications received by February 1, 2024

START DATE 
September 1, 2024

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:
Please submit the following materials no later than February 1, 2024

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

• applicant’s teaching philosophy and experience working with people of diverse cultures and identities.
• applicant’s vision for promoting student interest in Spanish 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.  Applicants invited for an on-campus interview will be asked to provide a videotaped teaching demonstration from one of his/her classes.

NOTE REGARDING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
CONFIDENTIAL LETTERS OF REFERENCE MUST BE E-MAILED  DIRECTLY TO THE PRIMARY RECRUITER: Alberto Ribas-Casasayas, chair-modll@scu.edu

NON-CONFIDENTIAL LETTERS OF REFERENCE MAY BE UPLOADED BY THE APPLICANT ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER INFORMATION.

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: 
Santa Clara University does not sponsor any visa applications for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

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.