Assistant/Associate Adjunct Faculty in Theology & Religious Studies (TRS 281) Christian Foundations

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
TRS 281, “Christian Foundations" in the traditional undergraduate program in Spring 2026. 

There are three sections available:

1) Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:20 PM to 2:35 PM

2) Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:45 PM to 4:00 PM

3) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:40-12:55 PM

This course will be taught in person on the Moraga campus. 

Course Description:

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 these foundations from a committed (i.e., insider) perspective and by using the critical tools and methods employed in the academy (i.e., outsider perspective). Since the Bible and all texts are inevitably interpreted, even by those who say they are simply letting the texts speak for themselves, this course will help students learn to identify the interpretive assumptions used by various communities throughout the centuries and today. Students will also be given the opportunity to practice using scholarly tools, methods, and lenses for reading and interpretation, skills that will serve students well in many areas of study and thought. Integral to this exploration of Christian foundations and the Bible, 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.

 

Qualifications

Candidates for this position ideally should possess an earned doctorate in Biblical Studies or a sub-field thereof.  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.  So too will those who have an earned doctorate in theology and/or religious studies with a documented concentration in biblical studies.  Documented specialization in biblical criticism through the lenses of race and gender is most welcome.   Building upon the declaration in Vatican II’s Dei Verbum that the Scriptures along with the living Tradition are not just the permanent foundation but also the soul of theology, deep familiarity with the Catholic use of scriptures and theological exegesis is also 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 and those who have previously taught TRS 097.

Candidates must reside in California.

The salary range for this position is $7,447 -$10,308 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 taught the course, or TRS 097,  or who have been determined qualified throu