Assistant Professor, American Studies

Job Description:

Assistant Professor, American Studies

Description

Department of American Studies
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Assistant Professor
Fall 2026

The Department of American Studies at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in American Studies with an appointment to begin August 2026.

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is an equal opportunity employer and a minority-serving institution with a Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. CSUF and the Department of American Studies are firmly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic diversity goals and those from groups who are underrepresented in the American professoriate are particularly encouraged to apply.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established affinity groups you can join to support your success. The Department of American Studies has an exceptional record of supporting tenure-track faculty in successfully earning tenure and promotion.

Position
The Department of American Studies at California State University, Fullerton invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position with appointment to begin Fall 2026. We seek a specialist in the interdisciplinary study of the body (for example: medicine, health, disability, trans experiences). Scholarly focus could be on any time period.

CSUF faculty are committed teachers/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental and university-wide committees. The primary responsibilities of the person in this position will include the development and teaching of core American Studies courses, as well as courses in their area(s) of specialization at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This person will also be responsible for producing scholarship commensurate with the requirements for tenure. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to and participate in the life and development of the department, advise students, serve on committees, and participate in the broader university and disciplinary communities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in American Studies or a related field with an emphasis in the interdisciplinary study of the body or related subjects and subfields (ABDs may apply but must show evidence that the degree will be completed by the appointment date)
• demonstrated commitment to and excellence in undergraduate teaching
• a strong record of scholarly accomplishments appropriate to the level of appointment
• experience in and commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues

Preferred Qualifications

• ability to balance excellent teaching, scholarship, and service
• demonstrated commitment to working effectively with students from intersecting marginalized social groups
• evidence of successful research and scholarly publications
• ability to teach American Studies theories and methods at the undergraduate and graduate level
• experience in teaching a diverse student population

Application
A complete online application must be received by electronic submission to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/careers/Faculty.php , choose full-time faculty, search for the position #551148, and provide the following required materials:

• cover letter in which you respond to the required qualifications
• curriculum vitae
• 1,500-word-maximum statement describing your research, teaching, and other relevant activities
• candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (no more than 500 words):
• Inclusive excellence is a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in achieving organizational success and high-quality learning and teaching. It's a way of thinking and acting that integrates these values into all aspects of an institution, from curriculum and pedagogy to recruitment and hiring. Essentially, it means that excellence is not just about achieving high standards, but also about ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to thrive and contribute (Williams et al., 2005).
• With the Inclusive Excellence Statement, we aim to learn about the applicant’s perspective on their past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting and engaging with a diverse student population. This statement should showcase the candidate's professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or willingness to teach and create an academic environment supportive of all students, including but not limited to those of diverse ages, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, languages, religions, and sexual orientations.
• Cal State Fullerton serves a student body that reflects the rich cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic mosaic of Southern California. Please provide concrete examples of how you, as a faculty member, will support our students in one or more of the following areas, which fall under the areas of awareness and understanding, experience and commitment, and future plans.
• Your contributions (past, present, or future) to embedding perspectives that are reflective of the student population into your teaching and/or scholarship.
• Your experience in service activities that are reflective of a diverse student population.
• Your experience and commitment to mentoring and providing opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the classroom environment.
• Your experience integrating creative activities that are inclusive of the identities of our student body and communities.
• relevant writing sample of 15-50 pages
• graduate transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for initial review)
• list of three references with relevant contact information
• Semi-Finalists will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. Please ensure that referents have their letters ready to submit in case you proceed to the semi-finalist stage. On the References page of the online application, enter information and email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a request via email along with information on uploading the letter. You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back into your applicant portal.
• Semi-finalists will be asked to provide two sample syllabi, one for a dream undergraduate course they would like to teach and a second for an undergraduate course on American Studies Theories and Methods.

Please direct all questions about the position to Search Committee Chair Professor Susie Woo at suwoo@fullerton.edu or call 657-278-3345.

Application Deadline
To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by September 26, 2025. The anticipated appointment date is August 2026. Position is open until filled.

The College and Department
The Department of American Studies is an interdisciplinary community of passionate, collegial faculty dedicated to exploring American culture through their research and teaching. Our courses integrate tools, skills, and ideas from across the arts, humanities, and social sciences to guide students in analyzing and interpreting a wide range of sources while developing critical thinking and communication skills. Our curriculum is both rigorous and flexible, designed to enable students to explore their interests while preparing for a variety of careers, including business, communications, government, law, media, social services, non-profits, teaching, and more. The Department is housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS), which offers students the breadth of a traditional liberal arts education while preparing them to be members of a global society participating in an extensive array of professions or advanced academic or professional study.

H&SS is the largest college at CSUF, offering 23 undergraduate degrees, 38 minors, and 15 graduate degrees. Our mission is to educate students to be culturally, globally, socially, historically and environmentally astute, civically responsible alumni able to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Three primary initiatives in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences-CoJET, Passage to the Future, and IBII-showcase our core pillars of civic engagement, social justice, and global awareness. Our faculty-based Collective for Justice, Equity & Transformation (CoJET), consists of H&SS faculty fellows whose expertise addresses equity, diversity, justice, community and organizational transformation. Faculty teaching our Passage to the Future courses help position our students for success by helping them connect H&SS experiences and knowledge to career paths. The Institute of Black Intellectual Innovation (IBII) is a cross-campus and community-minded initiative to institutionalize the support and inclusion of Black people, culture, creative arts, and intellectual history at California State University, Fullerton and throughout Orange County.

Compensation
The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224 monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated hiring range is $7,349 to $7,487 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work ( https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm ).

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start-up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

CSUF Benefits
CSUF faculty have the opportunity to regularly apply for CSUF and CSU grants that provide additional research funding and assigned time. American Studies faculty have successfully proposed and led study abroad and study away programs related to their research interests. Our department is highly collaborative and endeavors to support its faculty in pursuing professional goals and opportunities in and beyond our campus and local community.

A comprehensive benefits package includes health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner, and dependent fee-waiver; eligibility for campus child-care (fees apply); and a defined-benefit retirement through the state system and optional tax-sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/ .

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017 are subject to a 10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information
At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to work in the United States. For information on the University policy on support for non-immigrant probationary faculty visa acquisition, please visit the Faculty/Staff Visas and Permanent Residency page: https://hr.fullerton.edu/risk-management/faculty-staff-visas-permanent-residency/default.php

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

CSU Policies
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Notice of Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator: http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php.

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. It requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently from a business location outside of the United States.

Advertised: Aug 26 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: