Position Overview
Lectureship duties in the Jewish Studies Program are combined with program responsibilities pertaining to the planning, organization, and delivery of the Hebrew Language courses that serve major and minor degrees in Jewish Studies, as well as Hebrew language and Jewish culture for students outside of the major. The Hebrew Language Specialist works with the Director of the Program in Jewish Studies to develop and implement curriculum for new and existing courses, provide capstone individual study, assess and advise students, recruit new students, and organize university and public-facing Hebrew language events. This is an academic-year position with an initial term of three years, starting August 18, 2025 through May 17, 2028 with possibility of renewal.
KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.
Job Description
75% - Lecturer
- Teach six (6) courses per academic year-the equivalent of nine to eleven credits each semester - of 100-400 level Hebrew language and related Jewish culture courses, with the expectation of totaling at least 250 student credit hours per year.
- Share with program faculty responsibility for providing individual study or small group capstone courses as needed by students for degree completion.
- Provide instruction throughout the semester, develop appropriate material for class sessions, grade assignments in a timely manner, provide students with regular and precise information about their progress in the course, and give students clear information about how to improve their performance in the course.
- Acquire and maintain proficiency in use of instructional technologies necessary for course delivery, assessment procedures, and development of innovative teaching methods.
- Prepare for and attend all class meetings. In case of absence, the lecturer must arrange for online instruction or substitute assignments. Classes should not be cancelled.
- Hold regular office hours for students in the classes taught. A minimum of three posted office hours each week is required. These office hours should be divided over at least two and preferably three different days. The program associate/ lecturer should be available for reasonable appointments if a student cannot meet during scheduled office hours.
- Maintain clear records of all evaluations of student work in the course and provide regular evidence of student learning and related information to assist department in degree and program assessment.
- Comply with departmental, College and University policies.
25% - Academic Program Associate
- Take leadership in the planning, organization, and delivery of the Hebrew language curriculum at KU. The Hebrew language specialist works with the Director of the Jewish Studies program to develop and implement a teaching schedule and curriculum for new and existing courses.
- Supervise and implement KU Hebrew guidelines for proper class-level placement including assessment of transfer credits.
- Administer and evaluate student language placement and prior learning.
- Develop and implement mechanisms for assessment of student progress and the overall effectiveness of the language program.
- Organize scheduled Hebrew language practice opportunities for students outside of classroom through such activities as roundtables, fields trips, and cultural program.
- Develop and implement strategies for promotion of Hebrew learning to KU students, with activities including attendance at language fairs, posting flyers, tabling events.
- Develop and maintain a program of outreach to various local and regional schools and organizations to identify and recruit prospective students.
- Share in department work by attending faculty meetings and participating in departmental committees.
Required Qualifications
Evaluation of the following requirements will be made through (1) descriptions of work experience and educational experiences in letter of application, (2) record of accomplishments and productivity addressed in CV, and (3) information provided from professional references
- M.A. with relevance to Jewish Studies, Hebrew language, or a related field OR Bachelor's Degree (in any discipline) and ten or more years of proficiency in Hebrew language.
- Demonstrated near-native or native language ability in modern Hebrew and knowledge of Israeli culture.
- Ability to teach courses in Hebrew as evidenced by Teaching experience or teaching competence (e.g., course evaluations; supervisor ratings).
Preferred Qualifications
- Proficiency in various educational technology applications in English and Hebrew.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application will include a letter of application, a CV detailing specific subject areas the applicant is qualified to teach and/or develop, and the names and contact information for three professional references.
Review of applications will begin on May 20, 2025.
Contact Information to Applicants
Jewish Studies Program
785-864-4664
jewishstudies@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Commensurate with qualifications experience
Application Review Begins
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 18, 2025
|