Assistant Professor: Art History

Assistant Professor: Art History
Art and Design

Location: San Diego, CA
Open Date:
Sep 13, 2023

Description
San Diego State University School of Art and Design seeks to hire a tenure-track faculty member in Art History (Assistant Professor rank) to begin in Fall 2024. Applicants must hold a PhD in art history and/or visual studies with preferred areas of specialization in either art of the African diaspora (of any relevant geographic area or time period) and/or the Asian diaspora (of any relevant geographic area or time period). These are inclusive of, but not limited to: African art, African American art, Afro-Latin American/Latinx/Afro-European/Afro-Asian art, art of the Black Atlantic, and/or art of East Asia, South/Southeast Asia, and/or Asian American art. Secondary expertise in the history of photography, and/or graphic design, and/or crafts is highly desirable, as is past experience developing art history curricula and/or organizing art exhibitions. The successful candidate will develop a strong research agenda and teach courses in their area/s of specialization and will work with colleagues to develop new courses for undergraduate studio and art history majors as well as for graduate students in the MFA program. They will also help to grow the Art History program through curriculum development and by helping to develop and lead an MA program in art history/visual studies, and will contribute to school, college, university, and community service.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in art history and/or visual studies with specialization in art of the African and/or Asian diasporas
• Significant research agenda evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, conference participation, and/or other forms of scholarly output (including exhibitions, digital humanities projects, etc.)
• Well-versed in global art histories/visual studies and relevant theoretical discourses
• At least two (2) years of prior teaching experience as instructor of record at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels
• Commitment to student-centered, interdisciplinary, and collaborative teaching and learning
• Demonstrated record of, and/or commitment to, teaching and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups
• Ability to contribute to administrative service responsibilities at the school, college, university and/or community levels
• Manifested qualities of professionalism, collegiality, and inclusivity
• Evidence of highly developed written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Secondary expertise in the history of photography, and/or graphic design, and/or crafts
• Experience with art history curriculum development and/or organizing exhibitions
• Professional or scholarly experience with interdisciplinary collaboration
• Evidence of facilitating student success at all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, undergraduate/graduate, etc.)

Position Responsibilities:

• Maintain an active, focused, high-quality research agenda.
• Remain active in the profession and contribute to appropriate professional organizations.
• Provide instruction of undergraduate and graduate-level art history courses.
• Direct and supervise advanced undergraduate and graduate student research.
• Contribute to area, school, college, and university curriculum development.
• Participate in service activities within the school, college, university, and community.
• Represent the art history area for the School of Art and Design at national, regional, and community events.

Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE):
We are seeking applicants with demonstrated experience in and/or commitment to teaching and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and members of underrepresented groups. Candidates must satisfy two or more of the eight Building on Inclusive Excellence (BIE) criteria. Candidates that meet BIE criteria: (a) are committed to engaging in service with underrepresented populations within the discipline, (b) have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline, (c) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, (d) have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating understanding of underrepresented populations and communities into research, (e) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to extending knowledge of opportunities and challenges in achieving artistic/scholarly success to members of an underrepresented group, (f) have experience in or have demonstrated commitment to research that engages underrepresented communities, (g) have expertise or demonstrated commitment to developing expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration, and/or (h) have research interests that contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education. Please indicate in a separate diversity statement how you meet at least two (2) of these criteria. Additional guidance on our BIE program for applicants is here.

About San Diego State University (SDSU):
SDSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the San Diego region, with a campus in San Diego serving 36,000 undergraduate and graduate students and additional locations in Southern California’s Imperial Valley and Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia. SDSU is included in the Carnegie Foundation’s Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity category. Established in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, masters in 84 and doctorates in 23. See

http://www.sdsu.edu for more information. SDSU is a large, diverse, urban university, an Asian-Native American-Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. Our campus community is diverse in many ways, including race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, pregnancy, medical condition, and covered veteran status. We strive to build and sustain a welcoming environment for all.

About the School of Art and Design:
The School of Art and Design in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA) is a creative learning community in which students develop their practice as artists, designers, and art historians who work in and across media while enhancing their visual, material, and conceptual thinking. Located on the Pacific Rim and near the border with Mexico, the School is dedicated to the integration of art, design, and community building in alignment with the School’s commitments to social/environmental justice and innovative entrepreneurship. Through both discipline-specific and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning, we support students to innovate solutions, express ideas, imagine possibilities, and interpret the world through historical, cultural, and global contexts.

In addition to 16 tenured/tenure-track faculty members, the school employs approximately 69 lecturers and graduate teaching associates to serve approximately 1,000 majors and 20 graduate students. The Director leads the School with the support of seven full-time staff positions and one part-time Instructional Support Technician position. The full-time positions include two Equipment Technicians, one Administrative Analyst/Specialist, three Administrative Support Coordinators, and one Information Technology Consultant. The School offers a bachelor’s degree in art with emphases in studio arts and design; a Master of Fine Arts degree in Art; and a bachelor’s degree in art history. See http://art.sdsu.edu for more information.

The School of Art and Design believes representation matters. Through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, led by a collaborative team of students, faculty, and staff, we endeavor to create a safe, inclusive, and diverse academic and creative environment where students of all cultures, races, genders, religions, and sexual orientations can learn and create. We work to promote diverse communities and new cultural experiences that inspire students to break down barriers and transform lives, and with our guidance and support, help them navigate academic, personal, and professional success to emerge as dynamic artists and designers of tomorrow.

The School is also committed to addressing the family needs of faculty, including dual-career couples and single parents. For more information about relocation or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses visit the SDSU Faculty Advancement website Work/Life | Faculty Advancement | SDSU and click on “Resources for Prospective and Current Faculty Members with Dual Career Needs”.

Application Instructions
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/131239

How to Apply:
Please apply by Friday, October 20, 2023, via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/131239. Applicants should submit the following:

Required Application Materials:

1. Cover Letter summarizing the candidate’s qualifications in research, teaching, and service
2. Academic CV
3. Teaching Philosophy (1-2 pages)
4. Diversity Statement (1-2 pages)
   1. The Diversity Statement should include examples of activities, efforts and achievements that demonstrate appropriate evidence of the BIE criteria.
   2. Applicants should indicate how they meet at least two (2) of the BIE criteria listed below (under “Building Inclusive Excellence”).
   3. Whenever possible, provide a demonstrated record of past efforts and evidence of activities, and provide specific details or descriptions. Refer to the BIE Criteria and Evidence guide for common examples of BIE criteria evidence.
   4. Additional guidance on our BIE program and diversity statements for applicants can be found here.
5. Names and contact information for three (3) referees

Optional Application Materials:

1. Transcripts from graduate program/s (unofficial copies submitted in PDF format are acceptable).
2. Evidence of teaching effectiveness (can include list of courses taught, sample syllabi, teaching evaluations, etc.; no more than 10 pages)
3. Sample publication (no more than 10 pages)

Questions and/or Further Information:
Review of applications will begin October 23, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. For questions, please contact Search Committee Chair, Dr. Gillian Sneed at gsneed@sdsu.edu.

The minimum salary for this position is based on the current CSU salary schedule for Assistant Professors and may be revised based on contract collective bargaining. The anticipated salary range is from $77,000 to $80,000. Salary placement will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience, and salaries higher than the published maximums may be offered in limited circumstances. San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For benefits information, click here.