Job Description
The Department of Norwegian at St. Olaf College invites applications for a full-time, one-year position in Norwegian Studies at the level of Visiting Instructor or Assistant Professor, to begin August 2025, with the possibility of renewal.
Teaching responsibilities include Norwegian language courses at the beginning and intermediate levels and the possibility of teaching a topics course in English. The teaching load is 6 courses. The Norwegian department encourages a collaborative approach with cooperation among those teaching different sections of the same level.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have experience and interest in teaching undergraduate language courses. Minimum requirement of an MA in Scandinavian Studies (or Comparative Literature, Applied Linguistics, or similar, with emphasis in Scandinavian literature or language), with superior level Norwegian language proficiency as defined by ACTFL.
About the Department
The Norwegian department serves a vibrant community of undergraduates who are interested in Norwegian language and offers courses up to the advanced level. We also serve both majors and the general education program at St. Olaf by offering electives on Nordic and Norwegian society and culture taught in English, with a particular emphasis on the diversity of the region past and present. The Norwegian department hosts an active program outside the classroom, and faculty members participate in extra-curricular activities such as the Norwegian Christmas service, 17. mai celebration, and other departmental events.
For more information about the department, visit https://wp.stolaf.edu/norwegian/
Diversity
At St. Olaf College, we are committed to equity and inclusion. We strive to be a campus of welcome where students, faculty, and staff thrive by bringing their full humanity-gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic class, disability, religion, spirituality, and age-to the Hill each day. Our goal is to generate conversations and processes that over time create greater clarity, transparency, trust, cooperation, consensus, respect, and measurable outcomes. Practices that support this goal include listening, cultivating a growth mindset, respecting those with different views, being informed by data, and understanding that the work is ongoing, collaborative, organic, and ever evolving. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.
How to Apply
A complete application includes the following:
References: Provide contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in teaching and scholarship.
Supporting Documents and URLS:
- Cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are interested in this particular position
- Curriculum vitae
- Graduate transcript
- Statement of teaching philosophy
Review of applications will begin on January 15 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position, department, or college may be directed to Kari Lie Dorer, Department Chair, at dorer@stolaf.edu.
About Us
Who We Are:
Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff. The college is located on a picturesque 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, a vibrant, historic river town of 20,000 located 45 minutes south of culturally rich and diverse Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The college offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community. We encourage applications from candidates committed to multicultural understanding and the enrichment of our diverse community.
The college offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 9% retirement match, monthly contributions to a retirement healthcare account, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount (up to an 80% reduction) at ACM and ELCA colleges and universities for employees' children, and generous paid time off. For a full review of the college's benefits, please see the summary of our benefits here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/benefits/
To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.
A summary of the Flexible Work Policy for staff: https://wp.stolaf.edu/hr/flexible-work-policy/
A link to our DEI page: https://wp.stolaf.edu/equity-inclusion/
A virtual campus tour: https://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/play/?p=483
An overview of Northfield: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/northfield/
An overview of the Twin Cities: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/visit/twincities/
The college strongly recommends that incoming students and new employees complete the primary COVID vaccine series before beginning their studies or work on campus, and that all members of our campus community remain up to date with COVID vaccines, per CDC guidance.
For Staff Application Assistance:
employment@stolaf.edu
507-786-3068
For Faculty Application Assistance:
facultysearch@stolaf.edu
507-786-3356
Nondiscrimination Policy
St. Olaf College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. St. Olaf College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon these and any other legally protected status in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admissions and employment.
Inquiries about this nondiscrimination policy may be referred to St. Olaf College's Director of Equal Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or both. St. Olaf's Director of Equal Opportunity (who serves as the College's Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 Coordinator) is Pamela McDowell, Tomson Hall, mcdowell@stolaf.edu, (507) 786-3465.