University of Denver Hiring for Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor of Spanish, CWLC at USA, Denver, Colorado Full Time

The Center for World Languages and Cultures (CWLC) promotes engaged learning, teaching, and practice of the worlds languages and cultures; integrates languages and cultures into all disciplines and fields of study; and builds and supports interculturally competent communities through the exploration and experience of languages and cultures at the University of Denver with its local and global communities and partners. Housed in the CWLC, the first-year language program (FYLP) offers study in ten languages and aids students in experiencing the world through the lens of an acquired language, and in understanding cultures -their own and others – from a position different from their primary language and cultural identification. The linguistic contribution to intercultural competency – that is to say, understanding another culture in the language of that culture and not just through the translations and perspectives of a mother-tongue and culture – is integral to achieving personal, social, and professional successes in a multi-cultural and global future.

The first-year Spanish program provides students with an introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures and prepares students to study further through the Department of Spanish, Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies (SLLCS). SLLCS offers both a major and a minor and supports dual-degree seekers who want to pair their knowledge of Spanish with majors like international studies, international business and intercultural communications.

The CWLC is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates must demonstrate ability to integrate content and issues relating to and to work effectively with ethnically/racially diverse populations.

Position Summary

The CWLC at the University of Denver will hire a full-time, appointed Spanish visiting teaching assistant professor, non-tenure track, with benefits to teach primarily first-year Spanish language sequence toward the undergraduate common curriculum for the academic year 2023-2024. The one-year appointment will take effect 1 September 2023 and may be renewed pending budget availability. Course load is eight (8) courses per year in a quarter calendar (SPAN 1001, SPAN 1002, and SPAN 1003) usually with a 2/3/3 distribution. The position entails 90% commitment to teaching and 10 % commitment to service to CWLC. The successful candidate will be reviewed by the CWLC Director annually. Other responsibilities include: participating in CWLC meetings and Spanish section meetings, working closely with colleagues within the Spanish FYLP and the CWLC, participating in retention and recruitment efforts, advising students on placement, participating in professional development opportunities on campus, and implementing the program assessment in the Spring quarter. Candidates who demonstrate potential for teaching excellence and commitment to culturally responsive teaching will be strongly preferred. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity, equity and inclusion through their teaching and service.

Essential Functions

Job requirements for undergraduate classes include teaching a 10-week course on campus in 4 sessions of 50 minutes each per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, creating lesson plans, holding weekly office hours (either on campus or potentially virtually via Zoom video-conferencing depending on circumstances), collaborating with colleagues on curriculum development, evaluating homework, quizzes, and exams, and participating in meetings and group training for colleagues in the Spanish section. During the Spring quarter, the visiting faculty is also expected to contribute to Program Assessment activities.

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree or ABD in Spanish Linguistics, in Second Language Acquisition with a focus on Spanish, in Spanish language, literatures and cultures, or in Education. Closely related fields will be given consideration as well.
• Native or near-native fluency level in Spanish and English.
• 2 years of previous teaching experience a university-level course in Spanish in the United States (e.g. Teaching Assistant as an “instructor of record” with grading responsibilities).
• Evidence of a commitment to incorporating teaching methods to engage diverse student populations effectively.
• Evidence of teaching using task-based, communicative methodologies which prioritize student-student interactions.
• Evidence of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Experience or willingness to learn course management systems such as Canvas.
• Availability to teach classes “face-to-face” in physical classrooms at the University of Denver.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics, in Second Language Acquisition with a focus on Spanish, in Spanish language, literatures and cultures, or in Education. Closely related fields will be given consideration as well.
• 3 + years previous experience teaching a Spanish university-level course as the primary instructor, especially with courses from the first-year language sequence.
• Experience leading a team or coordinating multiple sections within a program.
• Extended residence or/and extensive travel in Hispanic countries.
• Experience interacting with and effectively teaching diverse communities of students.
• Experience managing a course via Canvas.

Work Schedule

10-week sessions with classes held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 25, 2023.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $50, 000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

For full consideration, please include the following documents with your application:

1. C.V., cover letter, teaching philosophy addressing the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices, and original lesson plan for an elementary Spanish language course.
2. Response to a question on inclusive excellence in the online application.
3. Names and contact information of three references.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.