Assistant Professor of Philosophy (EXPIRED)

Position

The Philosophy Department at Occidental College invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. The first year of this appointment will be a reduced teaching load Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship starting in Fall 2023. We welcome applications from candidates who demonstrate promise of successful scholarship and dedication to teaching excellence in the context of a global and inclusive liberal arts education.

This search is part of Occidental’s new multi-year Mellon Faculty Diversity Initiative (MFDI), an initiative that aligns with the College's Equity and Justice Agenda, to intensify our efforts to hire a cluster of Arts and Humanities faculty whose work focuses on race and/or social justice and whose background, expertise, and experiences will contribute to diversifying Occidental’s faculty. The successful candidate will join the second of three MFDI cohorts with a total of nine positions in the Arts and Humanities. As part of the MFDI program, the members of the cohorts will be provided enhanced mentoring, professional development, and a greatly reduced teaching load in the postdoctoral year, prior to transitioning to the tenure-track and the start of the tenure clock.

The successful candidate will have the demonstrated expertise to: 

1. teach courses and mentor students in the history of at least one of the following philosophical traditions: African and/or Africana philosophy, Arabic and Islamic philosophy, Asian philosophy (including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Indian philosophy), or Native American philosophy and 

2. contribute courses in early modern European history of philosophy or courses that complement those the Department already offers in Mind & World. 

Our faculty teach courses that fulfill a range of requirements within the College’s Core Program, including first-year writing seminars, and we value interdisciplinary connection to other programs. We are especially interested in candidates who are eager and able to teach these general education courses, and who can complement the existing curricula in one or more of the following: American Studies, Black Studies, Asian Studies, History, Religious Studies, or Spanish Studies. 

Teaching responsibilities standardly include five courses per year. This position carries a 1:1 teaching load in the first year and a 2:2 load in the second, with standard responsibilities afterward. All faculty are eligible for a pre-tenure leave following a successful pre-tenure review, and a one-semester sabbatical every fourth year after tenure. Our faculty are also expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on faculty governance committees, and participate in the broader college and disciplinary communities.

Occidental College is committed to academic excellence in a diverse community and strongly encourages applications from candidates committed to cornerstones of the College’s mission: equity, excellence, community, and service. 

Required Qualifications

• Applicants should have training and expertise in relevant areas of the history of philosophy

• Applicants should hold a PhD in philosophy at the time of appointment 

• Demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching 

• Demonstrated potential for an active research agenda

• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from minoritized and marginalized social groups

Application Submission Materials

You must submit a complete application package electronically to be considered. To apply, please send the following required materials to [email protected]: 

• Cover Letter that describes your preparation for the responsibilities listed above

• Curriculum Vitae

• Research Statement

• Writing Sample

• Teaching Portfolio  with a  statement of  your teaching philosophy, a sample student assignment, and a sample syllabus that would satisfy our History of Philosophy requirement through the study of the history of one of the following: African and/or Africana philosophy, Arabic and Islamic philosophy, Asian philosophy, or Native American philosophy.

• Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Statement

This statement provides your unique perspective on your past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in your professional career. This should include your demonstrated commitment to, past evidence of, and future plans for creating equitable opportunities for learning and mentoring especially for students from marginalized and minoritized groups. The purpose of this statement is to help the department identify candidates who have professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to engage in activities that could help the College contribute to its mission in these areas.

• List of three references with relevant contact information

If you advance to the finalist phase, you will be asked to have each of your three references submit a letter of recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to submit should you move forward to this phase of the search. Do not submit these letters with your initial application.

Upon receipt of a complete application package, you will receive a preliminary questionnaire. You must complete this questionnaire to move forward in the search process. 

Please direct all questions about the position to: [email protected].

Application Deadline

To be assured full consideration, your application materials must be received by Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

The Department and College

The Philosophy Department at Occidental College emphasizes the importance of community; reflective, critical, and open-minded engagement with a range of views about questions central to human life; and the application of philosophical ideas and methods in real-world contexts. Our curriculum is organized around four main areas: History of Philosophy, Diversity in Philosophy, Self & Community, and Mind & World. In addition to taking courses in each of these areas, our students take Experiential Learning courses that emphasize working with community partners or participating in structured activities outside the classroom. We are committed to supporting the academic excellence of our diverse student body, and we seek candidates who are equipped to advance the College’s mission of excellence, equity, community, and service.  

Additional Information

Occidental is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Occidental is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and just environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the College’s strategic equity and justice goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Moving expense reimbursement (up to $5000, taxable according to current IRS regulations), start-up funds, and a one-course reduction of teaching load in the first year are provided. A comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: excellent health, dental, life, and retirement benefits; tuition benefits for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents; additional extras including use of gym facilities and the College Library. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://www.oxy.edu/offices-services/human-resources/benefits-information.  

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. 

Occidental College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualifying disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or employment process, please contact Human Resources ([email protected]).