Department of Philosophy
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Assistant Professor
Philosophy
Fall 2023
The Department of Philosophy at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure‐track Assistant Professor position in Philosophy with appointment to begin Fall 2023.
About California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a minority-serving institution, with the largest student body in the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system, with a total enrollment of over 40,000 students. The CSU is currently engaged in a directed multi-year initiative to improve graduation rates for all students with a particular focus on first-generation college students, low-socioeconomic students, Latinx, African American and Native American students. California State University, Fullerton is 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 equity-minded teaching/mentoring, scholarship, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. Individuals advancing the University’s strategic goal of “elevating and infusing equity-minded practices in all that we do” and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.
Position
CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on departmental, college-level, and university-wide committees. The primary responsibilities of the person in this position will include the development and teaching of introductory and core courses in the discipline, and the development of courses in their area(s) of specialization.
Faculty generally teach three courses per semester, with the possibility of summer or winter intersession teaching for additional pay. A reduced teaching load is provided for the first two years. Specific courses that this person will teach include Rationalism & Empiricism and other General Education courses. 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 philosophy or a related field. ABD’s may apply, but must show evidence that the degree will be completed by the appointment date.
• Specialization in 17th, 18th, or 19th Century history of philosophy, with expertise in Rationalism and Empiricism.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching.
• A strong record or potential of scholarly/creative accomplishments.
• Demonstrated commitment to service, open-mindedness, and collegial participation in the department.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with diverse colleagues and community.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in serving a very diverse student population, including first‐generation college students, low-socioeconomic students, and racially minoritized students.
Application Procedure
A complete on‐line 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 requisition #519299, and provide the following required materials:
1. Cover letter in which you address the following:
o How you meet the qualifications of the position and are prepared to support the missions of the university, college, and department, especially regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy Statement in which you respond to the following questions (no more than 2 pages):
o What role should faculty play in student success?
o What are some of the innovative techniques you use to engage students philosophically?
4. Representative course syllabi, and/or lesson plan(s).
5. Candidate Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Statement (no more than 2 pages):
o This statement should provide your unique perspective on your past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting diversity, equity, and social justice in your professional career. Please discuss how you aim to be effective in an environment that values diversity and equity, how you have addressed or plan to address equity and diversity in your teaching, research, and/or service such that the committee is able to assess your ability to contribute to our campus in this area.
o Please provide examples of how you would teach in a culturally relevant and responsive way.
6. Documentation of research agenda, including (i) a research statement (no more than 2 pages) and (ii) one or more writing samples.
7. A list of three references with relevant contact information
Finalists will be required to have three letters of recommendation submitted. Please have these ready for the referents to submit. 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 will be able to verify that each letter has been received by CSUF by logging back into your applicant portal.
Please direct all questions about the position to Search Committee Chair Dr. JeeLoo Liu at Jeelooliu@fullerton.edu or call 657‐278‐7560.
Application Deadline
To be assured full consideration, all application materials must be received by November 1. The anticipated appointment date is August 2023.
About the College of Humanities and Social Sciences
The mission of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is to educate students to be culturally, globally, socially, historically and environmentally astute, civically responsible alumni able to navigate and increasingly complex and interconnected world. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest college at Cal State Fullerton, offering 23 undergraduate degrees, 38 minors, and 15 graduate degrees. The 20 departments and programs employ over 450 faculty and 50 staff members serving more than 7,500 students and annually awarding over 2,000 degrees. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers students the breadth of a traditional liberal arts education in the humanities and social sciences while preparing them for a wide range of professions. Faculty members in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are committed teacher/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, and individually mentored projects. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is committed to the University’s strategic plan objective to “increase the number of tenured and tenure-track faculty, with a concentrated attention to those from historically underrepresented groups.” For more information about the college, please go to http://hss.fullerton.edu/
About the Department of Philosophy
The mission of the department is:
1. To advance an understanding of and appreciation for the importance and value of well-founded knowledge and rigorous intellectual inquiry.
2. To develop and promote argumentative and analytic skills essential for good reasoning, efficient communication, and the preservation of high standards for knowledge claims.
3. To examine and critically assess normative standards governing social relations, practices, and institutions, including a wide range of human activities dependent upon value judgments.
4. To deepen and encourage students’ understanding and life-long pursuit of the uniquely reflective activity of philosophical inquiry.
The Department of Philosophy is engaged in several student retention projects and high-impact practices to support student graduation and success. For example:
o Annual Philosophy Symposium: this unique, exciting, free event is entering its 51st year. It brings together internationally renowned speakers on specific philosophical topics (selected by the faculty coordinator, a rotating position), with CSUF undergraduate students who comment on their papers before an audience of faculty (from various disciplines/institutions), current students, alumni, and members of the public.
o Active philosophy club: each year our Philosophy Club organizes events such as reading groups, movie nights, guest talks, discussion sessions, alumni events, and promotional/recruitment events. They also take the lead in organizing the symposium, under the faculty coordinator’s supervision.
o Colloquia: the department sponsors visiting speakers at least once per semester and faculty within the department also present papers to an audience of students, fellow faculty, alumni, and members of the public.
o First-Gen Philosophy Group: builds community around shared, first-generation student identity, connects students to campus resources, guides students through the often confusing college landscape, and reflects philosophically on first-gen student identity and experience.
We seek a colleague that can build on these efforts and contribute innovative practices and strategies for further promoting student success.
Additional Information
Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, and is subject to budgetary authorization and any California State University System faculty contract increases. Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available. An excellent comprehensive benefits package is available that includes: health/vision/dental plans; spouse, domestic partner and dependent fee‐waiver; access to campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the state system along with optional tax sheltering opportunities. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to 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 application status of applicants or 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 on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator (http://www.fullerton.edu/titleix/about/notice.php).
CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to hr@fullerton.edu.
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 requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the State of California.