Assistant Professor of Spanish

Western Washington University

Assistant Professor of Spanish

About the University: Western Washington University is a public four-year institution with competitive admissions. WWU consists of seven undergraduate colleges plus the Graduate School, with a total enrollment of approximately 15,500. Western is located in Bellingham, a city of approximately 87,000, on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, throughout the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades watershed, from time immemorial. Situated between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, in an area of scenic beauty and extensive cultural opportunities, WWU offers easy access to major research libraries, both directly and through our library’s extensive interlibrary loan system. 

About the Department: The Department of Modern and Classical Languages is home to 39 faculty members, 22 of whom are in tenure-line positions. We offer majors in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Latin American Studies, minors in Russian, Latin, Greek, and Classical Studies, and a teaching endorsement option for our major programs. Faculty teach at all levels of an undergraduate program and are expected to conduct research and participate in service opportunities. Several department faculty participate in such interdepartmental programs as Canadian-American Studies, East Asian Studies, and the Honors Program, as well as in the Linguistics Department.

The Department supports Western’s mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.

About the Position:  The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Western Washington University is inviting applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning September 2020. We seek a generalist in Latin American literatures and cultures with expertise in the 19th century who will also be expected to teach a broad spectrum of language, culture, and literature courses in the Spanish undergraduate curriculum.

Responsibilities include: Standard quarter-system teaching assignment (2-2-2); exemplary teaching; active program of scholarly activity; service to the Spanish section and to the Department through a range of activities. The successful candidate will be expected to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Required Qualifications:

  • PhD at time of application or ABD at time of application in Spanish (or equivalent field). If ABD, all degree requirements must be completed by June 15th of the first year of employment.
  • Expertise in 19th-century Latin America with the ability to teach a broad spectrum of  language, culture, and literature courses at all levels of the Spanish undergraduate curriculum
  • Native or near-native Spanish and English proficiency
  • Demonstrated evidence of excellence in teaching
  • Demonstrated commitment to excellence in scholarship and a dynamic research agenda
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues, including a demonstrated ability and commitment to cultivate learning environments that are equitable and inclusive of students with diverse social identities and backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest in collaborating with other academic areas on campus
  • Interest in helping WWU engage with the Latinx community in Bellingham/Washington State

Application Instructions: Application materials must be submitted via WWU’s electronic application system (PageUp) at careers.wwu.edu/westernpageup.html. Candidates must upload (1) a letter of application describing teaching philosophy and research plans, as well as addressing the required and preferred qualifications; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) graduate school transcripts; (4) a sampling of teaching evaluations; (5) a separate statement that addresses their ability to work effectively with diverse students and colleagues, and their commitment to fulfill teaching and mentoring responsibilities in ways that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students (max. length one page; for context and clarification of our expectations, we encourage you to visit https://www.wwu.edu/diversity which highlights the leadership, training, and events on equity, inclusion, and diversity on campus); and (6) the contact information for three references, one of whom must address the candidate’s teaching effectiveness. 

Closing Date Notes: Position closes on November 21; applications must be received by this date.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff.  Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.  In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.  Inquiries may be directed to the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity & Employment Diversity, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Equal Opportunity Office, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); eoo@wwu.edu.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.  To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).


Similar searches: Full-time, 4-year college or university, Professor, Assistant, Spanish, Literature, non-English, Washington