Department/School Name: Asian American Studies

Area of Specialization: Japanese American/Nikkei Studies

Rank of Appointment: Assistant Professor

San Francisco State University, Department of Asian American Studies offers an exciting opportunity for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position specializing in Japanese American/Nikkei Studies, as the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Distinguished Endowed Chair in Nikkei Studies, beginning August 2025. (Nikkei refers to people of Japanese ancestry outside of Japan or descendants of emigrants of the Japanese archipelago.) We seek an innovative teacher/scholar/researcher/activist with training in the humanities, social sciences, or arts with a focus on Japanese American/Nikkei Studies. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can, through their research, student-centered teaching, and service to campus and community, 1) meet the expectations of the Takahashi Foundation which includes teaching interdisciplinary courses in Japanese American/Nikkei Studies with the aim of increasing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the historical and contemporary experiences of Japanese Americans, the Nikkei diaspora, and ethnic minorities in Japan as well as studying the intersectionality and evolution of the diasporas, and 2) contribute and bolster the founding principles of Asian American Studies: self-determination and community empowerment.

Required qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.F.A., or terminal degree in the humanities or social sciences. Terminal degree must be completed by the first day of employment.
• Record of working and communicating effectively with colleagues and students
• Focus in Japanese American/Nikkei Studies
• Extensive teaching experience as an instructor at the university level.
• Experience in teaching, advising, mentoring, research, community service and/or social justice that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Can teach courses in lower-division Asian American Studies and upper-division courses in Japanese American/Nikkei Studies such as AAS 330 (Nikkei in the U.S.), AAS 332 (Japanese American Art and Literature), AAS 333 (Japanese American Identities), and/or AAS 338 (Okinawan American Heritage and Culture).
• Experience in building partnerships related to teaching, research, or creative works with Nikkei communities.
• Contribution to the field of Japanese American/Nikkei Studies by conducting research in one's field of interest and presenting findings in peer-reviewed journals, books, or professional conferences.

Preferred

• Focus in literature, performing arts, and/or critical cultural studies.
• Demonstrated, through research, teaching, and service to campus and/or community, contribution and advancement of the founding principles of the Asian American Studies: self-determination and community empowerment.
• Demonstrated development of course materials for teaching Japanese American Studies/Nikkei Studies with Asian American Studies focus and linked to student learning outcomes at the university level and at other levels of education such as high school, middle school, and elementary school.
• Undergraduate teaching experience with a large, diverse student body or in a multicultural setting.
• Experience with multiple teaching and learning modalities, including remote.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum design, instruction of individuals and groups, and assessment of learning.
• Demonstrated a student-centered approach in their pedagogy.
• Engaged with critical concerns in the discipline and a publication record that demonstrates a sustained research focus on Japanese American/Nikkei Studies.
• Demonstrated a record of community involvement related to Nikkei communities.

SF State is a major public urban university, situated in one of the world’s great cities. Building on a century-long history of commitment to quality teaching and broad access to undergraduate and graduate education, the University offers comprehensive, rigorous, and integrated academic programs that require students to engage in open-minded inquiry and reflection. SF State prepares its students to become productive, ethical, active citizens with a global perspective.

San Francisco State University educates and equips students to thrive in a global society. We deliver academic excellence by pursuing knowledge, inspiring creativity, supporting our diverse community and advancing social justice and positive change in the world. Visit the Strategic Planning website to learn more.

Born out of the historic 1968-69 Third World Strike, the Asian American Studies Department is both the oldest and largest in the nation. Asian American Studies at SF State has the nation’s most comprehensive program of study on the Asian American experience, with a commitment to serving our students, the academy, and most important, Asian American communities. It houses a minor, a major, and an MA program. Asian American Studies Department resides within the only College of Ethnic Studies in the nation and was founded on principles of community-based research and teaching, student leadership and activism, and the self-determination of communities of color. http://aas.sfsu.edu/

Responsibilities

The position requires undergraduate teaching in Asian American Studies, mentoring and advising graduate and/or undergraduate students, developing an active ongoing research program in Japanese American/Nikkei Studies.

The scholarship may address a range of topics in the areas of Japanese American/Nikkei Studies. Preference is for applicants with a focus in literature, performing arts, and/or critical cultural studies.

 Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, productive participation on departmental, college, and university-wide committees; mentoring and advising graduate and undergraduate students; holding regular office hours; curriculum development and improvement, particularly with regard to student learning outcomes; and remaining current in both subject area and teaching methodologies.

Compensation                                                                                           

The Assistant Professor (Academic Year) classification salary range is:

$96,500 to $98,000 annually (12 monthly payments per academic year).

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).

Professional development funds, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching load may be available.

The California State University (CSU) provides generous health, retirement, and other benefits.

Application Procedure

A complete online application must be submitted to receive consideration. Application review begins January 3, 2025, and continues until position is filled.  To apply, please upload the following materials:

1. Cover letter (relating your experience to the required qualifications)

2. Current CV

3. A diversity statement that is no more than 500 words that provides an understanding of your capabilities to address diversity in support of SFSU’s diverse student and community populations. Please provide specific examples of how you have addressed diversity in your teaching, research, and service.

4. Teaching evaluation

5. Statement on how your teaching and scholarship align with the mission of Asian American Studies and with the expectations for the Distinguished Endowed Chair in Nikkei Studies,

6. Samples of scholarly papers

7. Teaching philosophy regarding pedagogical approaches with a focus in Asian American Studies

8. Description of research interests

9. Names and contact information of three references who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.

Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU).  CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California.  Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception.  While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. We strongly encourage the application of individuals from historically underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager. Additional information on the requirements for new hires may be found at the Human Resources web page (https://hr.sfsu.edu/about-hr ).