Assistant Teaching Professor in Christian Spirituality and Mysticism

Assistant Teaching Professor in Christian Spirituality and Mysticism

The Department of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University (SCU), a Jesuit, Catholic university, invites applications for a full-time, renewable, non-tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Teaching Professor in the field of Christian Spirituality and Mysticism, to begin Fall 2027. We seek an accomplished teacher with expertise in the history and practice of Christian spirituality and/or mysticism, with a desired emphasis on the history and/or practice of Ignatian Spirituality.

The methodological approach and time period are open. Possible areas of emphasis might include engagement with mystical and spiritual theologians, especially those in the Jesuit tradition; theological reflection on mystical theology and contemplative practice; comparative studies in spirituality and mysticism (e.g., with Asian religious traditions); reception and development of historical theologies on contemporary theology and spirituality; women mystics and spiritual writers;

additional historical subdisciplines. Candidates should have familiarity with and an understanding of the University's Jesuit, Catholic mission.

SCU is a welcoming and inclusive community of teaching scholars whose work is grounded in the university's fundamental values. Those values, which include academic excellence, social justice, and community engagement, are infused with a culture of care that defines our community—upholding the dignity of all. The university draws on the many resources of the greater Bay Area, including Silicon Valley, where we are located.

The successful candidate will start on September 1, 2027. This is primarily a teaching position, but the successful candidate will be expected to also engage in professional activity (15%) and do service (15%) for the department, college, and university. SCU is on the quarter system, and the expected teaching load is seven undergraduate courses over three academic quarters (Fall, Winter, and Spring).

Assistant Teaching Professors are appointed for an initial term of three years. Reappointment to subsequent terms of three years depends upon the availability of funds, persistent programmatic need, and superior teaching, service, and professional activity. Promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and then Teaching Professor is possible under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

As with most of the departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Religious Studies Department is strictly an undergraduate program. However, faculty in Religious Studies have historically supported the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries (GPPM) and the faculty member appointed to this position may have the opportunity to teach one to two courses a year in the GPPM. Experience working with diverse groups of students is valued.

Required Qualifications

1) Terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in an appropriate theological or historical field (e.g., Systematic Theology, Historical Theology), or a related field by appointment start date.

2) Demonstrated excellence in teaching university-level courses in Christian Spirituality and Mysticism.

3) Demonstrated potential for effective and inclusive teaching and mentoring of a diverse undergraduate student population.

4) Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.

Responsibilities

Teaching Professors at SCU are expected to balance teaching, professional activity, and service. This is an in-person position. More specifically, duties include but are not limited to the following:

Teaching and Advising

Teach lower- and upper-division courses in the major and university core curriculum, as assigned by the chair, including courses such as The Christian Tradition, Mysticism in Catholicism, and Ignatian Spirituality. SCU is on the quarter system and an Assistant Teaching Professor will typically teach two courses in two quarters and three courses in a third. SCU prioritizes high quality teaching; significant faculty-student interaction is expected.

The university offers many different opportunities to develop teaching skills through Faculty Development, including regular lunchtime workshops on pedagogy, teaching and technology grants, communities of practice, teaching mentors, and a scholarship of teaching and learning faculty group.

Teaching will be evaluated according to the Teaching Effectiveness Standards and Evaluation; (TESE ) document developed by each department. Ignatian pedagogy, a hallmark of Jesuit, Catholic universities, is based on the principle of cura personalis, that is, teaching the whole person. At Santa Clara University we define effectiveness in teaching as respectful, challenging, inclusive, engaging, and evidence based. Teaching Expectations and Academic Policies at SCU can be found here.

Professional Activity

Engage in professional activity, which for non-tenure track faculty on the Teaching Professor track refers to…