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Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor

University of Denver - Denver, CO

The Department of Languages and Literatures at the University of Denver invites applications for a Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor starting in Fall 2017. This is a non-tenure track, fully benefitted position with a 9-month contract. The position may be extended for an additional year, contingent on departmental need and funding. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity and inclusive excellence through their teaching, research, and service.

The Department of Languages and Literatures is an undergraduate department currently with five majors: French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Minors in those languages as well as in Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, and Latin

Essential Functions
Course load is eight classes over three academic quarters. Teaching will include Russian language courses, upper-division content courses in Russian, and general education classes in English. Advising of majors and minors and of students planning to study at Russian-speaking sites abroad is expected. Research for publication is not a requirement of this position. The breakdown of duties is 90% and 10% for teaching and service, respectively.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrated excellence and effectiveness in teaching Russian language and literature to Anglophone students in the US at the college or university level.
• Ability to work through email and use MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn and use DU's Canvas course management system.
Required Qualifications
• MA at the time of application in Russian or a closely related field, e.g., Slavic Studies or Comparative Literature with clear Russian emphasis. Specialization open.
• Native-level or near-native fluency in Russian and English.
• Two full academic years of experience teaching basic Russian language and more advanced content in the US at college or university level, with professionally attested excellence and effectiveness.
• Evidence of a commitment to or knowledge and experience incorporating culturally responsive teaching methods and/or pedagogies effectively to engage broadly diverse student populations.
Preferred Qualifications
• ABD or PhD in Russian, Slavic Studies, or closely related field, in hand by 31 August 2018.
• Interdisciplinary breadth, with interest in including social, political and other cultural contexts in all levels of teaching
• Extended residence and extensive travel in Russia and/or the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• Experience in designing courses and in assessing classes and programs.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through www.du.edu/jobs to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Once within the job description online, please click New Resume/CV at the bottom of the page to begin application.

Please upload the following with your application:
1. Letter of application (cover letter)
2. CV
3. One-page teaching philosophy statement
4. One-page statement of how the candidate can contribute to DU’s inclusive excellence mission. Please see: http://www.du.edu/cme/resources/inclusive-excellence.html and http://www.du.edu/chancellor/vision/diversitystatement.html
5. Evidence of excellence in undergraduate Russian language and literature instruction. Please include student evaluations (complete sets only); a sample beginning- or intermediate level syllabus and a sample lesson plan; and a link to a sample teaching video.

PLEASE NOTE: The online application system is limited to uploading 5 files total. Please combine content (clearly labeled) if necessary to upload all required content.
In addition, two confidential letters of recommendation and official transcript of graduate studies should be sent directly to Ingrid.Weyher@du.edu, subject “Russian Search” or made available through Interfolio.

Address for hard copy material can be mailed to:
Russian VTaP Search Committee
ATTN: Ingrid Weyher
Department of Languages & Literatures
University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208-0931

Applicants will be required to complete an I-9 form verifying their legal right to work in the U.S. Sponsorship will not be available for this position.
Application deadline is April 28, 2017. Applications may be submitted after this date but are not assured of consideration.

If you have questions regarding this position please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Victor Castellani (Victor.Castellani@du.edu or 303.871.2022).

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff and encourages applications from women, minorities, members of the LBGT community, people with disabilities and veterans. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Posted on March 29, 2017.