Urgently Require Assistant Professor of Japanese in Denver, CO
Posted 2025-03-14Job title: Assistant Professor of Japanese
Company: University of Denver
Job description: The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a BA in Languages, Literatures & Cultures with possible concentrations in Chinese, French & Francophone Studies, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian. We also offer minors in these six languages, as well as Hebrew, and electives in Arabic. The department is composed of 16 faculty members with research and teaching expertise in major world languages and cultures. We prepare and engage students to become informed international citizens, who develop effective multi-lingual and cultural communication expertise and problem-solving skills. Our students apply their linguistic and cultural competencies to a wide variety of majors, careers, and future global challenges, while deepening their empathy for and curiosity about the diversity of human experiences.
Our Japanese curriculum prepares students to engage in a global world, equipped with advanced Japanese language skills, literary and cultural knowledge. Our faculty and students collaborate on opportunities that advance scholarly inquiry, cultivate critical and creative thought, and work to better our local and global communities. Our students are double and triple majors in a variety of disciplines, such as, computer science and international studies. They frequently receive highly competitive scholarships, internships and post-graduate positions, such as the US Department of State's Critical Language Scholarships, Boren Scholarship for Japanese and positions in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. In addition to the BA in Languages, Literatures & Cultures with a concentration in Japanese and the minor, the Japanese program is a key contributor to the interdisciplinary Asian Studies major.
The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures is strongly committed to building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, which is in full accord with the value that DU places on its commitments to . Candidates must demonstrate an ability to integrate content and issues relating to, and to work effectively with, nationally/ethnically/racially diverse populations.
Position Summary
The University of Denver invites applications for a full-time, appointed, tenure-track assistant professor of Japanese. We seek a productive scholar who can teach a broad range of courses in both Japanese and English effectively. We are particularly interested in candidates with a specialization in one or more of the following areas: literary studies, visual culture studies, sonic studies, gender studies, and decolonial studies. The tenure-track appointment with full benefits will take effect 1 September 2024. Course load is six (6) courses per year in a three-quarter calendar. The ideal candidate demonstrates experience and versatility in . We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion through their scholarship, teaching and service.
Essential Functions
- Scholarly potential and the pursuit of an active research agenda
- Teach six courses over three academic quarters
- Teach courses at all levels on Japanese language, culture and literature, as well as supervise independent studies and honors theses
- Create and teach courses for the University's undergraduate common curriculum (in English)
- Hold regular office hours to meet with students
- Advise students about minor and concentration requirements
- Contribute to University, College, and departmental service. Departmental service includes student advising and participation in program assessment and in extracurricular activities promoting the department and the Japanese program.
- ABD at the time of application in Japanese Literary and/or Cultural Studies or a closely related field with a strong Japanese component, with the expectation that the PhD will be in hand prior to the official start date of 1 September 2024.
- Native or near-native proficiency in Japanese and English.
- Record of excellence and effectiveness teaching Japanese language, literature and/or culture to students at the college or university level for 1-3 years.
- Ability to teach cultural studies in a Japanese context.
- Experience or evidence of a commitment to incorporate inclusive pedagogies to effectively engage broadly diverse student populations.
- Evidence of a commitment to quality professional development in scholarship and teaching
- PhD in Japanese Literary and/or Cultural Studies, or closely related field.
- Evidence of a vibrant research agenda.
- Record of excellence and effectiveness teaching Japanese language, literature and/or culture to students at the college or university level for 3 or more years.
- Experience in developing curriculum and teaching courses focused on a variety of aspects of contemporary Japanese Studies.
- Evidence of successful teaching of cultural studies in a Japanese context.
- Experience in designing courses and in assessing classes and programs.
- Experience and accomplishments in active support of diversity, equity and inclusion and/or working with diverse communities.
- Evidence of pursuing quality professional development in scholarship and teaching.
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the (the law school is on a semester system and has a different ).
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 1, 2023.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.
Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $66,000 - $74,000.
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 candidate's sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The 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 .
Please include the following documents with your application: * Two-page cover letter including a statement describing how the candidate's research, teaching, and/or service contributes to DU's values, practices, and actions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates can view DU's DEI Strategic Plan here (
) and/or the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) DEI Strategic plan here ( ). * Curriculum Vitae
- One-page critical reflection on teaching experiences that engages with student feedback, peer assessment of their teaching, and/or relevant scholarship.
- A full sample of the applicant's writing (ex. published or draft of a full chapter or article) that may inform their teaching of an upper-level Japanese literary and/or cultural studies course.
- Evidence of teaching excellence in Japanese language, literature and/or culture, for instance: 1-2 syllabi and 1-3 sample lesson plans, proposed or actual; an unedited teaching video clip (maximum 15 min.) of a course taught in Japanese, etc.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: August 07, 2023
Applications close:
Expected salary: $66000 - 74000 per year
Location: Denver, CO