Assistant/Associate Adjunct Faculty in Theology & Religious Studies (TRS 380) Great Themes: Reading the Bible Latinamente

Description

Founded in 1863, Saint Mary's is a residential campus nestled 20 miles east of San Francisco in the picturesque Moraga Valley. Based in the Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts traditions, Saint Mary's currently enrolls more than 4,000 students from diverse backgrounds in undergraduate and graduate programs. The De La Salle Christian Brothers, the largest teaching order of the Roman Catholic Church, guide the spiritual and academic character of the College.

As a comprehensive and independent institution, Saint Mary's offers undergraduate and graduate programs integrating liberal and professional education. Saint Mary's reputation for excellence, innovation and responsiveness in education stems from its vibrant heritage as a Catholic, Lasallian and Liberal Arts institution. An outstanding, committed faculty and staff that value shared inquiry, integrative learning and student interaction bring these traditions to life in the 21st century. The College is committed to the educational benefits of diversity.

Saint Mary’s College seeks to hire a per-course adjunct faculty member to teach Theology and Religious Studies, Great Themes: Reading the Bible Latinamente,  in the traditional undergraduate program in Summer of 2026.

This course will be taught on the Moraga campus, in person, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am during the 2026 Summer term (June 1 through August 7, 2026).

Students in this course will engage the foundational ideas and texts of the Catholic Christian tradition with particular focus on the Bible and its interpretation, examining the foundations of the Catholic tradition from a committed (i.e., insider) perspective and by using the critical tools and methods employed in the academy (i.e., outsider perspective). Integral to this exploration of the foundations of the Catholic tradition, students will examine the Catholic principles of the fundamental dignity of the human person and the common good and how they call forth the virtue of solidarity and a preferential option for our poorest sisters and brothers. This is not a class in biblical studies divorced from theology nor a class in theology divorced from historical criticism; instead, in the spirit of Vatican II, it calls for an integration of theology with the historical criticism of the academy and the wide array of criticisms that entails.

All TRS Courses in the 380s are reserved for transfer students. These courses share the same goals and focus as TRS 281 which fulfills the “Christian Foundations” learning outcomes, but they go further by striving to meet and fulfill the  "Theological Explorations" learning outcomes too. Each section of the course will focus on a special theme or question that arises in a diversity of biblical texts. The theme of this particular section will be “Reading the Bible Latinamente."

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should possess either an earned doctorate in Theology with a documented concentration in Biblical Studies or, vice versa, a doctorate in Biblical Studies with a documented concentration in Theology. For this class, a documented specialization in Latinx biblical interpretation and theology is also essential. Those who have reached the ABD stage in their active progress toward such a doctoral degree (i.e., completion of all qualifying and competency examinations) will also be considered. Deep familiarity with the Catholic use of scriptures and theological exegesis is prized. Preference will be given to candidates with evidence of teaching effectiveness in classes for undergraduates.  Preference will also be given to those with evidence of successful collaborative teaching. 

Candidates must reside in California.

The salary range for this position is $9,929 -$13,744 dependent on qualifications. The salary range for this position is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the College and SEIU, Local 1021, available here.

Application Instructions

Include a cover letter that specifically addresses how you meet the qualifications and are prepared to support the mission of the college.  Please also include:

1. A resume or CV

2. The name and contact information for three (3) professional references.

In applying for a position, candidates sign a consent authorizing a broader inquiry which may include reference checks, a motor vehicle check, and a third-party background check.

Applicants to all available course sections who are members of the Saint Mary’s College bargaining unit or agency fee payers covered by the agreement with SEIU 1021, who have previously taug