Chair, Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies

The Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Coastal Carolina University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies starting August 1, 2021.

The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies (LIS) aspires to create a diverse and inclusive community of scholars that cultivates curiosity, inspires creativity, fosters interdisciplinary understanding, and encourages pedagogical innovation. The department offers a major with two possible concentrations: Hispanic Studies and Multiple Languages. Students can minor in Chinese, French, German, Spanish, or Spanish for Health Professions, and take classes in Arabic, Russian, and Italian. The department also houses the minor in Language and Intercultural Studies, which allows students to apply coursework in one or more of the seven languages offered in the department and classes in related disciplines. Students in the department are encouraged to double major and combine their studies with additional coursework and complementary degree programs to which LIS faculty actively contribute, including minors in African and African Diaspora Studies, Asian Studies, Caribbean and Latin American Studies, European Studies, Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Russian and Eurasian Studies, and the new minor in Film and Production Studies. Department members collaborate to support diverse programs across the college, among others Intelligence and Security Studies and the Centers and Institutes housed in the college. The department supports the University Center for Global Education with faculty regularly leading or co-leading study abroad programs to such locations as Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, and Italy. Since fall 2020, the department also houses the new Intercultural Language Resource Center.

Qualifications:
Candidates must hold a terminal degree in a world language and possess a scholarly record appropriate for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The ideal candidate must bring a record of progressive responsibility in leadership positions with experience as department chair, program director, coordinator, or positions with similar responsibilities. Candidates will demonstrate their capacity to lead in a multicultural setting and their commitment to excellence in teaching and research. Of particular interest is evidence of management ability, budget oversight, curriculum development, program assessment, and success in student and faculty mentorship. Candidates will have a proven record of pedagogical and program innovation and experience in program building and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities:
The Chair in the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies is responsible for program assessment, course scheduling, budgetary oversight, curriculum development, and mentorship of faculty and students. The Chair will be expected to collaborate with faculty to advance the study of languages on campus and build bridges to the local community to recruit students and continue the growth of the language programs at Coastal Carolina University. The Chair will supervise approximately 18 full-time faculty and 6-10 teaching associates, coordinate with administrative staff, and work closely with the fellow department Chairs, the Dean and Associate Deans, the Provost, and the Directors of the interdisciplinary centers and institutes in the Edwards College, most importantly the Intercultural Language Resource Center.

Coastal Carolina University is a public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, South Carolina, just nine miles from the Atlantic coastal resort city of Myrtle Beach. Coastal Carolina University enrolls over 10,000 students from 45 states and 58 nations. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the baccalaureate and selective master’s degrees of national and/or regional significance in the arts and sciences, business, humanities, education, and health and human services, a specialist degree in educational leadership, and Ph.D. degrees in Marine Science and Education.

Coastal Carolina University is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. 

Candidates should submit a letter of application (outlining interest in the position, qualifications and previous leadership positions held, commitment to diversity, equity, and including as well as relevant work experience), curriculum vitae, and the names of three references (at least one a recent supervisor and one a recent report) electronically at: http://jobs.coastal.edu. Screening of applications will begin immediately.

Coastal Carolina University is an EO/AA employer.