Senior Instructional Professor (open-rank) and Director, Japanese Language Program

Description

The Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations (EALC) at the University of Chicago invites applications for a position as Director of the Japanese Language Program with an expected start date of September 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The selected candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Senior Instructional Professor, Associate Senior Instructional Professor, or Senior Instructional Professor, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The initial appointment is for a minimum term of 3 years, although longer initial appointments may be possible depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. The position is renewable upon successful review.

The selected candidate will serve as Japanese Language Program Director (LPD), which serves approximately 100 students annually at 4 levels of instruction. The LPD is responsible for overseeing the curriculum and budget for the program, the placement and assessment of students, co-curricular programming, and the supervision and review of a staff of 3 unionized Instructional Professors. The LPD typically teaches 4 courses per year (on the quarter system) in the program, and may be asked to take on limited administrative or management responsibilities outside of the Japanese Language Program.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include ACTFL Advanced-High proficiency in Japanese or equivalent, and a terminal degree (MA or PhD), preferably in Second Language Acquisition or a field related to Japanese language instruction. Applicants must also have prior teaching experience at the college level and the potential to be a successful manager of a language program. Specialized training in second language teaching or acquisition, and prior experience managing a language program, is also highly desirable. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate their language proficiency via certification or in the interview process.

Application Instructions

Applicants must upload the following materials to the University of Chicago’s recruitment website at https://apply.interfolio.com/156478 . Review of applications will begin November 15, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled or the posting is closed.

• CV
• Cover Letter of interest that addresses the applicant’s approach to directing a Japanese language program
• Teaching Statement
• Two Sample Syllabi for different levels of Japanese language courses
• Contact information for three references

Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants will be asked to provide additional materials following the initial review of applications (e.g., teaching video, course evaluations, etc). Questions about the application process should be directed to Dawn Brennan at dbrennan@uchicago.edu .

Position contingent on final budgetary approval.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity .

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination .

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.