ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LATIN AMERICAN ART HISTORY at Art and Design Department in San Luis Obispo, California

Job Description:

The Department of Art and Design in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is seeking applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Art History with a specialization in Latin American art to begin September 11, 2025. The position is open to specializations of any period, though we particularly invite candidates whose work focuses on the 19th century to the present day. We are also interested in candidates who can contribute to interdisciplinary connections across the university and/or the College of Liberal Arts. Secondary research interests in Chicana/o studies, indigenous studies, gender and sexuality, the environment, and/or material culture are especially welcome.

The Department of Art & Design currently administers a BFA degree in three concentration areas (graphic design; photography and video; and studio art) as well as a minor in art history. Teaching responsibilities include, but are not limited to, upper-division art history courses in ones area(s) of expertise (which serve the BFA program, the art history minor, and the university-wide GE program) as well as lower-division GE survey courses as needed. This position will require the development of new courses in the candidates area of specialization in addition to teaching courses currently in the catalog.

Cal Poly is committed to a teacher-scholar model, meaning candidates must be enthusiastic about teaching in an undergraduate, student-centered program while also developing and sustaining an active program of research, publication, and professional development. To support this model, the university offers various grants and programs to support faculty in their research endeavors. Alongside teaching and scholarship, faculty are also expected to participate in curriculum development as well as service activities at the department, college, and university level.

Salary: Anticipated Hiring Range: $90,276 - $98,244/year, $7,523 - $8,187/month (Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level. The typical teaching load is 12 units (three courses) per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.

The College of Liberal Arts sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values into their work as a faculty member.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences, and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an equal-opportunity employer.

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.

Required Qualifications:

PhD in art history or closely related discipline with an area of specialization in Latin American art. Candidates who are ABD will be considered, though the PhD must be completed by August 2025.

Demonstrated experience in research and professional engagement.

Demonstrated university teaching experience and familiarity with methods for teaching art history within a BFA program as well as a GE-serving department.

Evidence of DEI-related service and ability to promote DEI values in the curriculum.

Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Secondary research interests that could contribute to interdisciplinary connections across the university and/or the College of Liberal Arts, such as Chicana/o studies, indigenous studies, gender and sexuality, the environment, and/or material culture.

Two or more years of college-level teaching experience in art history or a closely related field.

Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary settings.

Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and professional capabilities.

Experience in using relevant software and digital tools, such as Microsoft Office and Learning Management Systems, such as Canvas.

Special Conditions

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.

About The Department

The Art and Design Department offers a NASAD-accredited BFA in Art and Design with concentrations in studio art, graphic design, and photography/video. We serve about 250 students in the degree program and consist of thirteen tenure-track faculty, nine lecturers, and seven staff. All faculty are expected to participate in the following: curriculum development, cross-disciplinary dialogue and critiques with colleagues, mentorship and supervision of student-related activities and organizations, departmental recruiting, and committee service within the department, college, and university. Cal Poly is undergoing a conversion to semesters scheduled for completion by Fall 2026. The departments website is: https://artdesign.calpoly.edu/

How to Apply

To apply, please visit http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition # 543582. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application:

Current curriculum vitae

Cover letter [may wish to address the feasibility of conducting research, scholarship, and/or creative activities within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program]

Diversity statement: [statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship, and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field, and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly]

Statement of teaching philosophy

Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned; official transcripts will be required prior to appointment

One to three original syllabi or short-form course descriptions with key readings and assessments

One article or chapter-length writing sample

Please be prepared to provide names and email addresses for three professional references when completing the online faculty application. Letters of recommendation will only be requested for finalists.

Projected Start Date: September 11, 2025

Review Begin Date: Review of complete applications will begin December 20, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

For questions about the position please contact Giancarlo Fiorenza via email at gfiorenz@calpoly.edu

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