Assistant Professor of Spanish Latin American Job at Occidental College - Spanis

The Department of Spanish and French Studies at Occidental College seeks to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Modern Latin American literatures and cultures, starting in August 2025. We seek a candidate with a specialization in one of the following areas: the Andean region, the Southern Cone, Central America, or the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. In addition to teaching courses in the area of specialization, the new hire should be able to teach our Spanish senior seminar in literary theory and genre, general courses in Modern Latin American literature and culture, Spanish language and composition at all levels, and courses in English in our First-Year Seminar (FYS) program.

The Spanish and French Studies department houses two majors (Spanish Studies, French Studies), the Linguistics minor, and contributes to the unique Group Language major, a combination of two languages or a language and linguistics. The Spanish major has three potential concentrations: literature, culture, and linguistics, but requires all majors to have a background in all three areas. We are fortunate to have a strong balance of Peninsular and Latin American literatures and cultures, as well as a strong linguistics program. The department offers our students a global, critically engaged educational experience that is enriched by the inclusion of underrepresented voices and traditions.

The department also collaborates frequently with other departments such as Latinx/Latin American Studies, Education, Cognitive Science, and History, as well as other offices and programs around the college such as the Center for Community Based Learning, the Hameetman Career Center, and the International Programs Office by way of supporting students to participate in both semester- and summer-long study abroad programs, as well as via faculty-led research and study experiences abroad. All members of the department are encouraged to explore these and other opportunities for collaborative engagement across campus, within the city of Los Angeles, and internationally.

Occidental faculty are committed teacher-scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, carry out research and creative work, and provide departmental, college-wide, and external service. In this position, your primary responsibilities will include the development and teaching of introductory and core courses in the discipline, including courses in your area(s) of specialization. Specific courses that you will teach include introductory and intermediate Spanish language, upper-division courses on Modern Latin American literary and cultural studies, the senior seminar, and courses in English in the College’s First-Year Seminar program. You will also be responsible for producing scholarship commensurate with the requirements for tenure and will be expected to develop a program of research that engages undergraduate students. You will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader college and disciplinary communities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Spanish by August 2025, specializing in an appropriate area of Modern Latin American literatures and cultures
• Expertise in one of the following areas: the Andean region, the Southern Cone, Central America, or the Spanish-speaking Caribbean
• Native or near-native command of Spanish
• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching
• Demonstrated experience teaching Spanish language, experience/potential to teach Latin American literatures and cultures as well as literary theory and genre
• A strong record of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to the level of appointment
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized social groups
• Demonstrated commitment to the four cornerstones of the mission of the College: excellence, equity, community, and service

Application Deadline and Instructions
To be considered, your application materials must be received by midnight Eastern time (9:00 pm Pacific time) on January 15, 2025.
Applicants must submit a complete application package electronically via Interfolio (http://apply.interfolio.com/156010) to be considered by the search committee.

An application includes the following:

• Cover Letter (max. 2 pages) in which you describe the education, experience, and/or skills you possess that are relevant to the required and preferred qualifications, including a brief discussion of teaching experience, current scholarship, and theoretical and/or methodological approach(es) to teaching and research
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement (max. 2 pages; please discuss further the current stage of your scholarship and your future research directions)
• Teaching Philosophy Statement (max. 2 pages; please address your approach to teaching, both in the language classroom as well as in upper-level courses in your area of expertise, with specific examples of success, when appropriate)
• Samples of syllabi for potential literary and cultural studies courses (up to 2)
• Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Statement
  • This statement provides your unique perspective on your past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in your professional career. This should include your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable opportunities for learning and mentoring especially for students from marginalized and minoritized groups. You may also speak to how your research and/or service promotes justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity. The purpose of this statement is to help the department identify candidates who have professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to engage in activities that could help the College contribute to its mission in these areas.
• Graduate transcripts

If you have any questions about the position, the application materials, or the application instructions, please contact Michael Shelton at mshelton@oxy.edu. If you have questions about Interfolio or the application process, please contact the Academic Support Administrator, Beatrice Gonzales, at facultysearch@oxy.edu.