Assistant Teaching Professor in Japanese Studies

PURPOSE

The Department of Modern Languages & Literatures at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites applications for a full-time, renewable, non-tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor in Japanese Language and Culture, with a main or secondary specialization in Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy, translation and interpretation, Japanese for the professions, and/or Cultural Studies. The successful candidate must demonstrate superior ability to integrate the teaching of language, cultural awareness, and critical thinking at all levels of instruction, expertise with proficiency and Standards-based assessment, and creativity in course design and development so as to contribute to our department’s continued efforts to promote global competence in the Jesuit model of education. The appointment start date is September 1, 2025.

The expected teaching load is seven undergraduate courses (lower to upper-division), distributed across three quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring), which constitutes 70% of any annual evaluation. Assistant Professor of Teaching positions at SCU also carry with them expectations of development in professional activity (15% of any annual evaluation) and service (the remaining 15% of any annual evaluation).  The successful candidate will have a mentor appointed to assist them as they begin at SCU. Assistant Teaching Professors are appointed for a term of three years. Reappointment to subsequent terms of three years depends upon the availability of funds, persistent programmatic need, and superior teaching, service, and professional activity.  Promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and then to Teaching Professor is possible under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.   

Located in the heart of northern California’s Silicon Valley, Santa Clara is a Catholic, Jesuit University committed to promoting social justice in a liberal arts educational setting and educating students who will build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. 

As with most of the departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is strictly an undergraduate program. Candidates with experience working with underrepresented groups and students from diverse backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion are preferred.
 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

The following are required of all candidates:

• Ph.D. in the field of Japanese language and culture with a main or secondary specialization in areas such as applied linguistics, second language acquisition, translation/interpretation, Japanese for the professions, cultural studies or other related areas.  ABDs may be considered provided they can show evidence of completion by the starting date.

• Evidence of at least two years of excellence in teaching as instructor of record in Japanese language at the university level 

• Demonstrated expertise with communicatively-oriented, proficiency-oriented and Standards-based language instruction and assessment

• Native or near-native proficiency (oral & written production and comprehension) skills in Japanese and English

• Solid proficiency with digital technologies and social media as they relate to teaching and service

• Evidence of creativity in curriculum innovation as well as demonstrable potential in program development

• Ability to promote diversity within curriculum (esp. with respect to traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups) and departmental extracurricular activities (cultural events, outreach, etc.) 

• Ability to serve as a mentor to students, especially those of diverse backgrounds 

• Ability and interest in enhancing students’ learning experience outside of the classroom, including organizing cultural events, academic presentations, internships, etc.

• Ability to work in a collegial and collaborative manner to contribute to departmental goals and priorities

• Demonstrate understanding and support of the University’s Jesuit mission
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to teach courses that connect with other disciplines (e.g. STEM, Business, Environmental Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, History, Ethnic Studies) and/or for our Core Curriculum (which may include courses in English).

• Experience with instructional technologies and language labs, OPI certified tester.

• Experience implementing experiential, and/or project-based learning; 

• Interest and potential in mentoring undergraduates in internships.

• Experience with or working knowledge of inclusive pedagogical practices that advance SCU goals of diversity and equity.

• Track record of success teaching underrepresented students and reducing equity gaps.
   

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Duties include but are not limited to:

Teaching (70%) - Fulfilling all responsibilities associated with assigned courses, including:

• Planning and teaching courses as assigned, which may include elementary through advanced (upper-division) courses in language and culture.  Developing courses and contributing to the curriculum development of the department in a collegial manner.  The standard teaching load is seven courses over three academic quarters.

• Teaching Core curriculum courses, which must be taught from approved syllabi. The successful candidate may teach from previously-approved syllabi, or develop their own syllabi.

• Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively.

• Designing creative learning experiences; assigning and evaluating oral and written work that aligns with the course description and course learning outcomes; providing students timely feedback; measuring student learning outcomes within the context of departmental and Core objectives and the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards. 

• Maintain weekly office hours at times reasonably convenient 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;

• Serving as an advisor and mentor to assigned students and provide informed advice;

• Participating in curricular design and assessment projects appropriate to program needs.

• Collaborating with colleagues in creative efforts to enhance students’ learning experience outside of the classroom (e.g. organizing cultural events, academic presentations, etc.) and to promote Japanese Studies program;

• 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.

• Working in conjunction with the Language coordinator, and/or Department Chair, on course development, pedagogy and assessment. ​

Service (15%)

Service is work other than teaching and professional activity that fosters and advances the missions and goals of the department, the college or school, or the University. It may include peer observation performed for the purpose of annual review, or serving on committees, participating in professional organizations and activities, and participating in and providing support for department and campus events. The service expected of non-tenure-track Faculty will be appropriate to their expertise and experience.  It may also include service to the profession, such as participation on committees of a professional organization, and service to the community performed in virtue of a Faculty member's professional expertise or association with the University.

Professional Activity (15%)
Professional activity for non-tenure track faculty on the Teaching Professor track refers to scholarly or creative work, professional practice, or other active engagement in a discipline or field that enables a Faculty member to remain current in that area and vital as a teacher. Examples of professional activity include attendance or presentations at conferences, occasional publications that contribute to scholarship or pedagogy in the field, creative work in the arts, and practice in a professional field. Faculty in the Teaching Professor ranks shall not be held to the same standards of scholarship as tenure-track Faculty.

Additional Note: The employment is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 (“Local 1021”; see https://www.scu.edu/provost/faculty-affairs/cba-ntt/ ).

 

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 5, 2024

Start Date: September 1, 2025

Please submit the following materials through the SCU Workday portal:

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 Japanese Studies.

• the applicant’s commitment to the Jesuit model of educating the whole person. 

• how the applicant meets required and desirable qualifications.

2.     Curriculum vitae

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

4.     Names of at least three references, with letters of recommendation to be provided at the interview stage  

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

6.     Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to provide a recorded teaching demonstration from one of their classes. 

Rank and Salary:

• Rank: Assistant Teaching Professor.

• The salary range is $80,008 to $88,883. Offers within that range will be based on years of university teaching experience at the university/college level.

• The position provides generous benefits. https://www.scu.edu/hr/benefits/

• The University has established a rental assistance program for which assistant teaching professors are eligible to apply. For details, please refer to: https://www.scu.edu/media/offices/provost/faculty-affairs/compensation-support/housing/SCU-Faculty-Rental-Assistance-Program-for-Assistant-&-Associate-Teaching-Professors-and-JST-Lecturers-and-Law-School-Assistant-&-Associate-Clinical-Faculty.pdf