Multi-Term Lecturer – Kiswahili & African Studies

23776BR

African/African Amer Studies

Position Overview

The Department of African & African-American Studies invites qualified candidates to apply for their Multi-term Lecturer position.  The Multi-Term Lecturer will be teaching in Kiswahili and African Studies, and will conduct student advising in the African & African-American Studies Department. As a result of their instructional duties, multi-term lecturers are expected to possess outstanding teaching skills and teach three regularly scheduled classes per semester. Specific course assignments and locations are at the discretion of the chairperson of the Department of African & African-American Studies. Multi-term lecturers are non-tenure-track members of the faculty with limited-term appointments, whose primary role is instructional with no obligation to perform research or service. Consistent with the goal of ensuring that lecturers are participating members of the program, multi-term lecturers may have instruction-related responsibilities beyond direct instruction, such as participation on committees, curriculum development, and course-improvement initiatives.  The potential start date of this position will be either August 18, 2023.

The University of Kansas is a major public research and teaching institution that operates through a diverse, multi-campus system. KU’s many parts are bound together by a mission to serve as a “center for learning, research, scholarship and creative endeavor” in the state of Kansas, the nation and the world. An ideal campus, historic and wireless at the same time, KU is home to one of the top public-university library systems in the nation. The university fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of individuals are respected. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the University of Kansas actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of employment.

A city of approximately 100,000, Lawrence is located in the rolling hills of eastern Kansas, 35 miles west of the Kansas City metropolitan area and 20 miles east of Topeka, the state capital. Home to Haskell Indian Nations University as well as KU, Lawrence offers the many cultural opportunities of a university town. Lawrence is a wonderful community filled with endless opportunities for historical explorations, beautiful scenery, incredible arts and entertainment venues, and many popular restaurants. Kansas City International airport, The Plaza, and access to world-renowned attractions are less than an hour away.

Job Description

100% – Multi-term Lecturer:

Teach six 3-5 credit hour courses per academic year in Kiswahili and African Studies or other areas, online and in-person, for undergraduate students and for graduate students, as the Department Chair assigns.

Prepare for and attend all class meetings. In case of absence, the program associate/ lecturer must make arrangements for an appropriate substitute. Classes should not be cancelled.

Provide instruction throughout the semester, develop appropriate material for class sessions, grade assignments in a timely manner, provide students with regular and precise information about their progress in the course, and give students clear information about how to improve their performance in the course.

Hold regular office hours for students in the classes taught. A minimum of three posted office hours each week is required. These office hours should be divided over at least two and preferably three different days. The multi-term lecturer should be available for reasonable appointments if a student cannot meet during scheduled office hours.

Keep an orderly grade book (using the department software) and clear records of all evaluations of student work in the course. All these materials should be turned in to the Department at the close of the semester.

Maintain standards of excellence in teaching and in the evaluation of student performance.

Report to the African and African Diasporic Language Program coordinator, in consultation, with the Department Chair, for teaching supervision, support, and guidance, as needed.

Attend teaching-related in-service meetings.

Adhere to departmental, college and university policies.

All multi-term lecturer must treat colleagues with courtesy and with respect for their rights, including, but not limited to, academic freedom. In addition, they are expected to act in a manner that promotes collegial relationships and shows respect toward students, staff, and colleagues.

Required Qualifications

Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in resume and cover letter, and (2) information provided from professional references:

M.A. in Education and/or related field with a focus on Kiswahili language, Linguistics or Second-Language Acquisition/Applied Linguistics, African Studies, or related field.

Native, or near native proficiency in both Kiswahili and English and knowledge of cultures where Kiswahili is spoken.

Experience with online instructional technologies demonstrated through the knowledge of the use of various online instructional tools.

Evidence of culturally competent experience working in a diverse and inclusive professional environment that encourages knowledge of, and respect for, multicultural constituents and backgrounds through information provided by professional references and the letter of application.

Evidence of teaching excellence, as demonstrated by letters of recommendation or course evaluations, and work history.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in Education and/or related field with a focus on Kiswahili language, Linguistics or Second-Language Acquisition/Applied Linguistics, African Studies, or related field.

Native, or near native proficiency in both Kiswahili and English and knowledge of cultures where Kiswahili is spoken.

Experience with online instructional technologies demonstrated through the knowledge of the use of various online instructional tools.

Evidence of culturally competent experience working in a diverse and inclusive professional environment that encourages knowledge of, and respect for, multicultural constituents and backgrounds through information provided by professional references and the letter of application.

Evidence of teaching excellence, as demonstrated by letters of recommendation or course           evaluations, and work history.

Contact Information to Applicants

Dr. Peter Ojiambo
ojiambo@ku.edu

Additional Candidate Instruction

To apply and for more information, go to https://employment.ku.edu/academic/23776BR . A complete online application includes the following materials: (1) Cover letter outlining your record of accomplishments and productivity; (2) Curriculum vitae; and (3) the names and contact information for three professional references.

In addition to the materials above, learning about each applicant’s contribution and engagement in areas of diversity is an important part of KU’s mission. As such, applicants will be presented the following question at the time of application, each response must be within 4,000 characters or less:

• Describe your experiences working with people from diverse backgrounds, and explain how those experiences reflect your commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Review of applications will begin December 5, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Review Begins

05-Dec-2022

Anticipated Start Date

18-Aug-2023

Conditions of Employment

Limited Term

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Limited Term End Date

16-May-2026

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).