2024-25 Teaching Specialist/Lecturer - Spanish & Portuguese Studies

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs teaching specialists or lecturers to teach courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty or graduate students. Appointments may be full-time or part-time and may be limited to one semester.

This does not constitute a posting for vacancies, but establishes a pool of applicants should openings occur during the 2024/25 academic year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis throughout the academic year. Appointments may be renewable based on need, funding, and performance.

Teaching Specialists and Lecturers in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota teach 1-3 courses per semester. Most instructors are assigned introductory language courses, but, in rare cases, may be assigned literature and/or culture courses as determined by the needs of the department. Classes may be scheduled during the day or in the evening. Duties also include course preparation, instruction, and grading of all students; holding office hours every week, including hours in the Tutor Lab when teaching first, second or third year language courses; administering proficiency tests; and providing other administrative assistance to the Department as needed.

Required Qualifications
Master's degree in Spanish or Portuguese or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Teaching Specialist.

Ph.D. degree in Spanish or Portuguese or a related field in Education, the Humanities or Social Sciences required for appointment as Lecturer.

For Spanish for Special Purposes courses, other relevant professional degrees will be considered (e.g. a Master's in Public Health for the instructor of a course on Medical Spanish.)

Native or near-native fluency in the language(s) of instruction.

Two years post-secondary teaching experience in the relevant language or related field.

Demonstration of commitment to quality teaching and program development.

Strong English language communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications
Positive evaluations from students, peers, and/or supervisors. Prior teaching experience at the same or similar course level. Progressive instructional work in specific language of instruction. Demonstrated success with teaching, organizing, being collaborative, and mentoring students.

About the Department
Founded in the 1960s, the Department of Spanish & Portuguese Studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, is widely recognized as a pioneer in the interdisciplinary study of language, literature and more broadly, cultural expressions grounded in theorized and broadly socio-historical perspectives.

We offer BA degrees in Spanish and Spanish and Portuguese Studies and MA and PhD degrees with emphases in Hispanic literatures and cultures, Hispanic linguistics, and Lusophone literatures and cultures. More information can be found at https://cla.umn.edu/spanish-portuguese.

About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

The Benefits of Working at the U

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).