Assistant Professor - Ethnic Studies

Two Assistant Professors as part of Cluster Hires in Ethnic Studies



Department Summary

The College of Social Sciences (CoSS) at San José State University (SJSU) invites applications for two tenure-track faculty Assistant Professor positions in the field of Ethnic Studies to begin Fall 2021. The successful candidates will be appointed to a department in social sciences contingent upon disciplinary focus.

SJSU and CoSS are committed to growing Ethnic Studies. In 2018, CoSS launched the Ethnic Studies Collaborative (ESC), bringing together Ethnic Studies faculty, staff, and students to highlight the research and leadership contributions of SJSU programs and departments in Ethnic Studies. The ESC includes the Department of African American Studies, Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, and the Program of Asian American Studies and serves as the nexus for Ethnic Studies faculty, student, and community collaboration at SJSU.

The ESC supports Ethnic Studies curricular and co-curricular projects that address issues of settler colonialism, racial capitalism, immigration, and racialization, with a focus on the comparative histories and experiential knowledges of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., including but not limited to Native Americans/American Indians; Black and African Americans; Latinxs; Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous peoples of Oceania and other nations; and Asian Americans. The ESC is also currently playing a key role in shaping the implementation of AB 1460 , the CSU graduation requirement in Ethic Studies.

Moreover, these positions are part of several faculty searches this year at both senior and junior levels across African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, and Native American Studies. These incoming faculty will join a community of current Ethnic Studies faculty who are engaging in innovative pedagogies, producing community-centered research, and transforming SJSU through their campus leadership.

For further information, please refer to the following resources about the Ethnic Studies Collaborative , the minor in Comparative U.S. Race and Ethnic Relations , the Department of African American Studies , the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies , and the Program of Asian American Studies .

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies, Asian American Studies, African American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Native American/American Indian Studies, or a related field (with a focus on Ethnic Studies)--ABD also will be considered
• Demonstrated commitment to the history and continued growth of the field of Ethnic Studies--beyond and critical of traditional disciplines
• Evidence of or strong potential for effective teaching experience at the college or university level
• A record of scholarly/creative accomplishments or strong potential for such a record in Ethnic Studies
• Experience in working collaboratively with colleagues and community
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching and other comparable experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in topics related to interdisciplinary and/or comparative approaches, preferably with specialization in one to two of the following: (a) Oceania/Pacific Studies, (b) Critical Mixed Race Studies, and (c) Social Movements. Concentrations might include but are not limited to LGBTQIA+ issues; abolition and freedom studies; black ecologies and environmental justice; land and reparations; whiteness, racial passing, and performance; comparative Black/Native studies; sovereignty and cultural revitalization; comparative racial coalition building or organizing; community engagement; arts and literature; and decolonial theory.
• Use of Ethnic Studies methods of inquiry, including but not limited to intersectionality, decolonizing methodology, anti-imperialist and abolitionist studies, and community-oriented activist action research
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in working with underserved communities (e.g., Black and African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American/American Indian, and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous communities of Oceania and other nations, as well as other students from groups historically and currently marginalized in society)
• Willingness to contribute to an interdisciplinary Ethnic Studies Collaborative and an interest in building curriculum/programming in African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, and/or Native American/American Indian and Global Indigenous Studies,
  
  

Responsibilities

• Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committee and other service assignments
• Demonstrate awareness and experience understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, cultural background, ethnicity, primary language and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies and advising
• Develop and sustain an ongoing record of research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, as well as other professional engagements
• Contribute to curriculum development for the CSU Ethnic Studies requirement and relevant Ethnic Studies department/program
• Teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in Ethnic Studies
• Holding office hours and mentoring students
  
  

Compensation - Commensurate with qualifications and experience. See Benefits Summary for details.

Starting Date - August 2021

Eligibility - Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents by February 1, 2021 for fullest consideration:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of teaching interests/philosophy (2 pages) that describes what role faculty play in student success
• Statement of research plans (2 pages) that addresses the relationship of research activities to the classroom and teaching as well as commitment to the field of Ethnic Studies
• Diversity statement (1 page) that discusses best strategies for supporting students historically and currently marginalized in higher education
• Three reference with contact information

Inquiries may be directed to the Search Committee Chair – Peter Chua ( peter.chua@sjsu.edu )

The University

San José State University enrolls over 35,700 students, a significant percentage of whom are members of minority groups. As such, this position is for scholars interested in a career at a national leader in graduating URM students. SJSU is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) Serving Institution; 40% of our students are first-generation, and 38% are Pell-qualified. The university is currently ranked third nationally in increasing student upward mobility. The University is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty so our disciplines, students, and the community can benefit from multiple ethnic and gender perspectives.

San José State University is California’s oldest institution of public higher learning. Located in downtown San José (Pop. 1,000,000) in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU is part of one of the most innovative regions in the world. As Silicon Valley’s public university, SJSU combines dynamic teaching, research, and university-industry experiences to prepare students to address the biggest problems facing society. SJSU is a member of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Note that all San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additional Information

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Advertised: December 09, 2020 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: