Adjunct Sociology Instructor

About Westfield State University:

In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public higher education institution in the US without barriers of race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 57% of our 3,200 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. Including continuing education and graduate students, the total student population exceeds 4,700. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theaters, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

• Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
• Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
• Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
• Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
• Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
• Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.

Job Description:

Campus Title: Adjunct Sociology Instructor

Department: Criminal Justice

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Type: Part-time Temporary / Starting January 2027

Supervision Received: Reports to the Chair of the Criminal Justice Department

Supervision Exercised: None

Salary: According to MSCA contract guidelines:

• Unit Member per credit $2,549.59
• Non-Unit Member per credit $1,693.32

General Statement of Duties:

Westfield State University is seeking a qualified adjunct instructor to teach the following course during the Spring 2027 semester:

SOCI 106 - Individuals & Society (Honors)

Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:25 - 11:15 a.m.

Modality: In person

SOCI 106 introduces students to classic theoretical perspectives in the social sciences and their application to the relationship between individuals and society in contemporary social and cultural contexts. The course draws on influential thinkers from sociology and related disciplines to examine how individuals live and act within social structures and how those structures influence human experience. Authors may include W.E.B. Du Bois, mile Durkheim, Karl Marx, George Herbert Mead, Margaret Mead, Georg Simmel, Adam Smith, Alexis de Tocqueville, Max Weber, and others.

The course fulfills the Individuals in Context domain of Westfield State University's WISE general education curriculum and will be offered as an Honors course.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree or higher in Sociology or a closely related field.
• College-level teaching experience is also preferred.
• Candidates should have appropriate academic or professional expertise in sociology, social theory, or a related area.

Additional Information:

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Application Instructions:

An online application is required and must include the following:

• A current CV
• A brief statement describing your qualifications and teaching experience
• Contact information for three professional references*
• Unofficial copy of transcript of highest degree

Notes:

• Contact information for three reference letter providers should be completed on the reference form. Applicants that are using Interfolio for an existing confidential letter of recommendation should provide the Interfolio based email address (e.g. ref1@interfolio.com).

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. The job will remain open until finalists have been selected.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.