Assistant Professor of French Language and Culture

Soka University of America • Aliso Viejo, CA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Language & Culture Program at Soka University of America (SUA) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of French Language and Culture beginning August 1, 2027. We seek a scholar of French and Francophone literatures and cultures whose teaching and research complement and strengthen the French curriculum. Candidates whose work engages one or more Francophone regions, including the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Maghreb, and from related fields, including interdisciplinary and comparative approaches, are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will demonstrate their ability to excite and engage classes of 16 or fewer students, to develop a productive program of research and scholarship, and to engage in service. The position favors candidates with an interest in interdisciplinary teaching and research. Soka University of America (SUA) located in Aliso Viejo, California, is a private, non-sectarian liberal arts college founded on the values of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life. It offers a unique and global Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts degree with five Concentrations, and has a commitment to fostering a learning environment that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural understanding. SUA's small and multinational student body, approximately 450 undergraduates, ensures personalized attention and a close-knit academic community. The university's curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and incorporates a strong international perspective, requiring students to study abroad for a semester. Faculty members at SUA have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary teaching and research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong commitment to faculty development and academic freedom. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture, serene environment, and a culture that values dialogue, diversity, and the holistic development of its students. Soka University is committed to a dynamic teaching pedagogy that prioritizes active learning through experiential projects, group discussions, and real-world applications. We place a strong emphasis on inclusive pedagogy, fostering a classroom environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel acknowledged, respected, and empowered. Our instructional approach aims to not only disseminate knowledge but also to cultivate critical thinkers and compassionate leaders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in French, Francophone Studies, Comparative Literature, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.
• Native or near-native proficiency in French.
• Ability to teach effectively in English.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching in a small liberal arts environment.
• Demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the university's mission to develop global citizens.
• Ability and willingness to work collegially.
• Understanding of our interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum.
• Demonstrate both a record of and a commitment to meaningful service to their profession and to the university community.

Nice To Haves

• Scholar of French and Francophone literatures and cultures whose teaching and research complement and strengthen the French curriculum.
• Work engages one or more Francophone regions, including the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Maghreb.
• Work from related fields, including interdisciplinary and comparative approaches.
• Interest in interdisciplinary teaching and research.
• Interest in interdisciplinary teaching and research.

Responsibilities

• Teach French language courses at all levels as well as upper-division courses in French and Francophone literature and culture.
• Teach in our interdisciplinary General Education (GE) program, for example, Core 1, Core 2, Modes of Inquiry, Introduction to the Pacific Basin, American Experience, and/or Learning Cluster.
• Develop a productive program of research and scholarship.
• Engage in service to their profession and to the university community.
• Maintain an active program of scholarly research.
• Contribute to the intellectual life of the Language & Culture Program.
• Participate in service to the University and the profession.
• Teach and advise students from diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.

Benefits

• Full-time, tenure-track position
• Resources to support faculty research year-round through institutional research funds
• Undergraduate student research assistantships
• Faculty development
• Academic freedom

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree