Assistant Professor in Design Studies - Tenure Track

The Department of Design at Sacramento State is currently accepting applications for a full-time tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Design Studies.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Design Studies is a new program that was launched fall of 2020. It is one of four degrees alongside Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Photography, Graphic Design and Interior Architecture, that form the Department of Design housed in the College of Arts & Letters.

The Design Studies program complements our professional studio programs, providing students with a richly diverse academic course of study in the history and theory of design, including architecture, photography, graphic design, interiors, urban design, product design, etc. It also serves the entire Sac State student body through its general education offerings.

The B.F.A. programs in Graphic Design, Interior Architecture and Photography are also recently approved, replacing corresponding B.A. or B.S. degrees. The four new programs provide an exciting opportunity for our faculty to transform the department’s curricular structure to reflect global perspectives and innovations in the field. The first tenure track faculty member in Design Studies, will be an important contributor to this continued transformation as the department takes steps towards developing a contemporary and inclusive curriculum. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
• Teach 12 units per semester. This equates to 6-8 lecture and seminar classes in design-centered history and theory per academic year.

• Develop lower and upper division courses in the Design Studies program and assist with the development of related curriculum in the Design Department, specifically in areas of world design history and theory where new modalities of thinking can be used to build diverse frameworks for anti-racist / -colonialist / -classist / -sexist or -gendered discourse.

• Lead student advising, recruitment, oversight of part-time design studies faculty, curriculum development and other related activities aimed at fostering growth of the new Design Studies program.

• Active and ongoing pursuits in the areas of teaching effectiveness; peer reviewed scholarly, professional, and/or creative activity; and service to the Department, College, University.

• Active and ongoing commitment to engagement with the local and regional community through service and scholarship.

QUALIFICATIONS
Degree Requirements:
• Masters level degree in design studies, art history, architecture history or a related field.

Required Special Knowledge and Abilities:
• Evidence of scholarship supporting new modalities of thinking that can be used to build a framework for anti-racism / -colonialism / -classism and gender diversity in world design history and theory.

• Demonstrated ability to teach an inclusive world design history and theory of multiple design fields via lecture and/or seminar courses. (e.g. architecture, photography, graphic design, product design, industrial design, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Degree:
PhD or other terminal degree in design studies, art history, architecture history or a related field.

Preferred Special Knowledge and Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability to develop a contemporary and inclusive history and theory curriculum in multiple design fields (e.g. architecture, photography, graphic design, product design, industrial design, etc.).

• Experience working with students and colleagues of diverse racial, ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds and experiences.

• Demonstrated leadership and ability to produce collaborative work.

• College or university level teaching experience in lecture and/or seminar classes.

• Experience engaging with different public interests through community-based projects/activities.