Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor, Socio-Legal Studies

Apply now Job no:497067
Work type:Faculty Full-Time
Location:Denver, CO
Categories:Faculty
Division: Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences

The Socio-legal Studies Program at the University of Denver is an interdisciplinary program offering undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a major or minor by taking classes offered in various departments, all addressing topics and issues associated with the study of law and society. The program serves 135 majors, many of whom express interest in attending law school. Others intend to pursue post-graduate employment in government and in non-profit organizations. For more information about the program, see https://liberalarts.du.edu/socio-legal.

The University of Denver’s mission is to be a great private university dedicated to the public good. Situated in a vibrant urban region that is home to 2.8 million people, the University values diversity and inclusion and recognizes that its success depends on how well it welcomes and engages the broad diversity of our constituents in an environment of mutual respect. See https://www.du.edu/equity
for more details. 

Position Summary

The Socio-legal Studies Program at the University of Denver invites applications for a non-tenure track, full-time Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor in the field of law and society for the 2024-25 academic year. The position may extend for an additional year, contingent on continued funding, need, and performance. The candidate hired will teach the equivalent of eight courses in the field of law and society over three quarters. Preference will be given to candidates who can teach two existing courses—Introduction to Law and Society and Legal Actors and Institutions—as well as upper-division courses in law and society. Successful candidates will demonstrate a record of excellence in undergraduate teaching and a strong commitment to constructively engaging students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles.

Fulfillment of this position is contingent on available funding.

Essential Functions

• Teach a large introductory course serving the common curriculum and major programs, Introduction to Law and Society, and an upper-division course Legal Actors and Institutions.
• Teach smaller, writing intensive upper-division courses in the field of law and society.
• Deploy best practices for use of Canvas online platform, utilizing appropriate Canvas tools.
• Meet outside of class in office hours on campus or via video-conference to provide guidance and assistance to students enrolled in courses taught.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Teaching experience at the undergraduate level in law and society or a related field.
• Advanced scholarly expertise in the field of law and society.
• Excellent skills in oral and written communication.
• Ability to interact constructively with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications

• ABD or PhD in political science or relevant interdisciplinary social sciences area (e.g., Jurisprudence and Social Policy doctoral program) or JD.
• Experience teaching undergraduate courses in law and society or a related field (e.g., law and politics, political sociology, etc.).
• Experience using course management software as part of a conventional in-person class.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in political science or relevant interdisciplinary social sciences area (e.g. Jurisprudence and Social Policy doctoral program).
• Experience teaching Introduction to Law and Society and upper-division undergraduate courses in law and society.
• Experience using the Canvas course management software.
• Experience counseling students.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic calendar ).

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) February 19, 2024.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is UC.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $50,000 

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. CV
2. Cover Letter addressing your classroom style and teaching philosophy, and your interest in the field of law and society
3. Class materials (syllabi,etc.) and teaching evaluations.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement .

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.