
Assistant Professor of Africana Studies
College of Arts & Humanities
Position Description
The Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) invites applications for a Tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor (Academic Year) with the appointment starting in Fall 2023.
At CSUDH, we celebrate and respect diversity in all forms that include every race, religion, gender, ethnicity, veterans, people with varied abilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. CSUDH is seeking applications from candidates who can demonstrate experience in teaching and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and contribute to the University’s mission, vision, and core values.
For more information: Mission, Vision, and Values.
Department of Africana Studies
The Department of Africana Studies offer students the opportunity to study the historical, literary, and contemporary realities of the African world experience. We offer a dynamic interdisciplinary curriculum with strengths in Africana cultural studies and social sciences. We provide a supportive learning community which combines academic programs and research with enrichment activities designed to enhance students’ content and theoretical knowledge about the African diaspora, written and oral communication skills and practical skills base. Our students are leaders on campus and in the community. Our department is supported through a number of campus organizations including the Organization of African Studies, Black Student Union, the Male Success Alliance, Sisters United Mentoring Program, Fannie Lou Hamer Queen Mother’s Society, CSUDH Black Faculty and Staff Association and the Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute.
Our faculty are committed to the highest standards of teaching, research, advising and supporting our students both inside and outside of the classroom. Many of our graduates have gone onto graduate school and careers in law, education, public policy and community development. We also offer a wide variety of co-curricular opportunities such as a Distinguished Speaker Series, MLK Symposium, Black History Month Programming, and opportunities for student participation in national research conferences.
For more information: Africana Studies
The Position
The California State University, Dominguez Hills Department of Africana Studies is hiring an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies with a specialty in Global Africana Literatures (African, African American, Afro-Caribbean/Latinx literature). The successful candidate will teach undergraduate Africana literature courses for our BA degree program. She/he/they will be expected to maintain an active research agenda and serve on department, college, and/or university comittees. The normal teaching load if 4-4, with a reduced 3-3 load for the first two years and additional opportunities for reduced teaching load in future years.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will teach major and general education literature courses in Africana Studies; as well as develop courses in her/his/their area of specialization. Additional responsibilities include student advising and mentoring, curriculum and program development, participation in departmental, college and university committees and active involvement in research and scholarly activities.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Africana Studies, African American Studies, African Studies, African Diaspora Studies or related field in hand at the time of appointment. Well qualified doctoral candidates/ABDs must indicate their anticipated degree completion date.
- The candidate must be able to teach literature utilizing an African Diaspora, decolonial and transnational lens and be able to teach two or more of the following courses: Harlem Renaissance, Africana Literary Traditions, and Africana Literature and Culture while developing new curriculum in their area of expertise.
- Evidence of a promising research program likely leading to publication in the area of expertise.
- Applicants must have experience in teaching undergraduates from diverse age, socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated teaching experience, publications and/or graduate coursework in Global Africana Literatures (African, African American and Afro-Caribbean/Latinx literatures).
- Expertise in at least one of the following areas of specialization: media studies (film, social media, television) and Africana popular culture analysis (art, music, etc.) and the ability to teach Introduction to Hip Hop and/or Africana Art and Culture.
- Demonstrated experience in community engagement, outreach and/or social justice activism with an emphasis on organizing, supervising and mentoring students in community-based internship experiences.
Employment Requirement
Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy
The California State University (CSU) is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the communities we serve, as well as maintaining higher education access and attainment for our students, as such, we embrace a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption if eligible. Any candidate advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The system-wide policy can be found at: CSU Vaccination Policy
Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy may be sent to hrm@csudh.edu .
Additional Information
The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $5,405 to $11,994 per month (12 monthly payments per academic year); salary for this position will be commensurate with experience and current CSUDH faculty salaries in the academic department/discipline. Faculty salaries are subject to budgetary authorization and any California State University System faculty contract increases. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner and dependent fee‐waiver; access to campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the state system along with optional tax sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit: https://www.csudh.edu/hr/benefits/.
Mandated Reporter Per CANRA
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
How to Apply - To apply for this position, please click the "Apply Now" button on this page.
The position is open until filled. Review of applications will begin in November 2022. For full consideration, please submit your completed application with the required materials no later than December 15, 2022.
- Current Curriculum Vitae with contact information
- Cover letter
- Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2 pages maximum)*
- List of 3 references with contact information**
- Unofficial transcripts (an official transcript will be required for the finalist)***
- A Statement on Teaching (2 pages maximum)
- A Statement on Research (2 pages maximum)
- Sample Publications or Evidence of Creative/Scholarly Activity
- Teaching Evaluations (if available)
*Given CSUDH’s commitment to diversity and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators, describe your individual commitment and experiences in advancing diversity and inclusion and how they relate to your future teaching and research.
**This position requires three letters of recommendation (LORs). Please do not upload your LORs with your application. Your list of references will be notified at the appropriate time during the search process. They will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the LOR. You will be able to verify that each letter has been received by CSUDH by logging back into your applicant portal.
***For finalist with International transcripts, a United States Equivalency certification will be required.
A United States (US) Equivalency certification is required for earned/awarded/conferred foreign terminal degrees, which is from a foreign Academic Institution for foreign studies. The US Equivalency certification is used to validate foreign studies from an academic credential evaluation agency and is evaluated on foreign studies and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from the United States. The certification must translate the information in English, and confirm that your highest terminal degree is US Equivalent to a US terminal degree (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate’s, Doctor’s of Philosophy). The certification can be emailed to facultyaffairs@csudh.edu or mailed directly to the office of Faculty Affairs and Development, 1000 East Victoria Street, WH-368, Carson, CA 90747.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. Donna J. Nicol, Chair of Africana Studies
Search Committee Chair
CSU, Dominguez Hills
1000 East Victoria Street, (LaCorte Hall A-338)
Carson, CA 90747
Closing Statement
CSUDH is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.
For more information: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources’ Office (310) 243-3771.
Clery Act crime statistics for CSUDH are available at Campus Security Report (Clery), or by calling University Police at (310) 243-3639.
Upon appointment, all candidates must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
The California State University is Smoke and Tobacco Free. Smoking, Vaping and other Tobacco use are Not Permitted anywhere on University property. Education Code 42356, CCR Title 5, Article 9.
For more information see: Smoke & Tobacco-Free