Director of University Language Program (Chicago, IL)

Location: Chicago, IL

School Name: University of Chicago 

Status: Full Time

Level: College / University 

Contact: Callie Manick, cpbrown@uchicago.edu 

Description: Senior Instructional Professor and French Language Program Director (LPD)

Description

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures invites applications for a position as Director of the French Language Program with an expected start date of September 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The selected candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Senior Instructional Professor, Associate Senior Instructional Professor, or Senior Instructional Professor, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The initial appointment is for a minimum term of 3 years, with longer term lengths possible depending on the rank offered to the selected candidate. The position is renewable upon successful review.

The selected candidate will serve as French Language Program Director (LPD). As the second-largest language program at the University, the French Language Program serves approximately 700 students annually at a variety of levels from introductory to advanced, and many students go on to major or minor in French and Francophone Studies or Romance Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. We are looking for a colleague who will provide leadership and vision for this dynamic program, help guide the development of a curriculum for heritage speakers and other new curricula and co-curricular programs, promote French language and culture in the rich heterogeneity of its global contexts, and sustain a language program that provides rigorous language instruction meeting the needs of the 21st-century learner. The LPD also plays a lead role in the interface of the language program with the upper-level literature/culture curriculum and French and Francophone Studies major/minor program, as well as with our Haitian Kreyòl program.

The LPD is responsible for overseeing the curriculum and budget for the program, the placement and assessment of students, co-curricular programming, and the supervision and review of a staff of 8 full-time unionized Instructional Professors, as well as other part-time lecturers. The LPD oversees the training and mentoring of graduate student language teachers as well as exchange lecturers and exchange language assistants. The LPD currently teaches 3 courses per year (on the quarter system) in the program and oversees all aspects of the program during the regular academic year. The successful candidate will also be expected to remain engaged with some administrative duties concerning the program throughout the year.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include:
• A Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in Second Language Acquisition or a field related to French language instruction
• Superior level of academic proficiency (CEFRL C1, ACTFL Advanced High, or equivalent) in French, as well as proficiency in English
• Previous teaching experience at the college level
• Potential to be a successful manager and leader of a program of French language instruction
• Experience in the development of instructional materials

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their language proficiency via certification or in the interview process.

Preferred qualifications include:
• PhD or equivalent, preferably in Second Language Acquisition or a field related to French language instruction
• Specialized training in second language teaching or acquisition
• Experience coordinating or managing a French language program and co-curricular programming

Application Instructions

Applicants must upload the following materials to the University of Chicago’s recruitment website at https://apply.interfolio.com/156292. Review will begin on November 11, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled or the posting is closed.

The following materials are due with initial application
• CV
• 2 Cover Letters (one in English, one in French), addressing the applicant’s approach to directing a French language program and potential to be a successful manager
• Statement of teaching philosophy (one page maximum)
• Three Sample Syllabi (one each at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels)
• Contact information for three references (letters will be solicited only for finalists)

Candidates who advance to a subsequent stage of review will be asked to provide the following:
• A 15-20 minute video of their classroom teaching-remote or in-person (mock class acceptable) and accompanying lesson plan;
• Examples of self-designed teaching materials
• Description of curricular implementation at the course or course-sequence level
• Sample teaching evaluations (5 pages maximum);

Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants will be asked to provide additional materials following the initial review of applications. Questions may be directed to Callie Manick at cpbrown@uchicago.edu.

Position contingent on final budgetary approval.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.