Washington Semester Program

The Office of Global and Immersive Studies (OGIS) at American University invites applications for part-time adjunct faculty positions to teach in the Washington Semester Program (WSP) for the Spring 2022 and Summer 2022 semesters.

Now in its 75th year, American University’s Washington Semester Program has welcomed more than 50,000 students from hundreds of domestic and international colleges and universities to live, work, and study in Washington, DC. Often credited with establishing the first DC internships for undergraduate students, the WSP allows students to earn American University academic credit that can count toward the requirements of their home school degrees.

The WSP motto “DC Is Our Classroom” highlights the unique value of the program: combining coursework from a nationally ranked university -- specifically, experiential learning through topical seminars -- with structured and supervised internships at some of DC’s most dynamic institutions.

Students study at AU for the fall, spring or summer semesters and enjoy the services and benefits of full-time AU students. Additionally, students learn from experienced AU faculty and are supported by dedicated program administrators and academic advisors. Students can participate in many of AU’s hundreds of clubs and activities and immerse themselves in the richly diverse campus community.

We are seeking experienced instructor(s) to teach the following courses:

Spring 2022

• WSEM-450 Political Transitions and Policy Implications (4 credits)
• WSEM-450 National Conversations in Times of Crisis (4 credits)
• WSEM-450 Criminal Legal System: Roots of Mass Incarceration (4 credits)

These courses meet in person once each week for a 2.5-hour block during business hours from early January to early May. The course requires at least ten site visits and/or speakers over the course of the semester. Course descriptions can be found on the WSP program site.

• WSEM-491 Justice and Law Internship (4 credits)

This course meets both in person and online and features significant 1-on-1 engagement with students. It is composed of the internship experience and professional development instruction. The class is designed to provide a formal means for students to analyze their internships, explore issues that arise in the workplace throughout one’s career, and help students to identify and achieve their long-term academic and professional goals. The course work and assignments will help students reflect analytically on their work at their internship sites, on the internship organization itself, and on issues and topics relevant to their education and career opportunities.

Summer 2022

• WSEM-400 Washington Summer Internship and Seminar (3 credits)

• Politics and Law
• International Affairs
• Social Justice

The WSP Summer program is an opportunity for students to spend a summer in DC, work in a DC internship, and earn academic credit. Detailed course descriptions are currently being created but a brief program description and generalized course descriptions can be found on the WSP program site. These courses meet in person once each week for a 2.5 hour block during business hours, from early June until late July.

Qualifications and Compensation:

Qualified applicants will possess a Master’s or terminal degree in a related field, plus teaching experience in the applied topic. Course assignments will depend on the selected candidate's profile and strengths. Salary is based on salaries set by the American University Adjunct Collective Bargaining Agreement, or previous WSP adjunct salary.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit a one-page letter that indicates which course(s) you are interested in teaching and a brief description of your background preparing you to teach the course; a curriculum vitae/resume; and the names and contact information for three professional references, using the AU Interfolio System: http://apply.interfolio.com/99635

Review of applications will begin immediately, will continue until the positions are filled, and is subject to ongoing budgetary approval and sufficient course enrollment. Applications are preferred by Friday, December 10, 2021 for Spring 2022 positions and Monday, February 14, 2022 for Summer 2022 positions.

Equal Opportunity

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities. American University is a tobacco and smoke free campus.