Sessional Teaching Position

Department Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation - Academic Programs

Posted date May 28, 2024

Closing date Will remain open until filled.

Position Type Full Time

Description

While this position welcomes applications from individuals external to the university, current Academic Teaching Staff are first notified of available positions and will receive first consideration in accordance with the terms of Schedule D of the Academic Collective Agreement prior to considering external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

This position has a term length of 4 months. Salary will be commensurate with experience in accordance with the Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) agreement .

Location - This role is in-person at Beijing Sport University, Hainan, China.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people -- from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more .

Working for the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation

The Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta is one of the premier faculties of its kind. We are proud to boast excellence in teaching and research-both of which were recently recognized in the QS World University Rankings by Subject where the Faculty was top 10 in the world in sports-related subjects, for 2017, 2018 and 2019 rankings.

Our strength in research and teaching is our diversity in these areas. Our excellence in research and teaching encompasses work we do in the areas of sport, exercise, physical activity, health, tourism, sport rehabilitation, recreation, sport management and more. Our diversity extends to the aspect of the areas studied - biological, mechanical, behavioural and sociocultural.

Through our research, teaching and various service arms within the Faculty, we pride ourselves on being dedicated to improving the quality of life and the health of our communities through physical activity, sport and recreation for more than 50 years.

About the International School

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and Beijing Sport University (BSU) launched the Beijing Sport University Alberta International School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism officially in September 2023. The School is located in the International Education Innovation Pilot Zone in Hainan, China. Hainan, known as the ’Hawaii of China’, is an island located in the South China Sea, Southeast of mainland China. The campus is located on the southeast part of the island.

The School offers the KSR Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Sport and Tourism (BARST) undergraduate degree. Students enrolled in the School take all of their courses at the campus in the Pilot Zone.There are 63 undergraduate students recruited from all over China in the 2023/24 first year cohort. Up to 200 students will be recruited to start in 2024/25. KSR courses are taught in English. English language experience varies between students, however all students are required to meet English language capacity benchmarks and to meet the University of Alberta English Language requirements in their 4th year of study. The School provides dedicated English language support for students.

Position

The Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR) currently has a number of sessional teaching vacancies for 2024/2025 at the Beijing Sport University Alberta International School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, in Hainan Province, China (AIS). The Faculty is looking for instructors to teach the following courses during the 2024/2025 School Year.

Term dates: Currently we are looking to fill a 4 month opportunity. Opportunities are available for both Fall and Winter.Fall term starts in September with instruction completion prior to the University of Alberta Winter Closure. The Winter term (AIS refers to this as Spring term) begins in February. Exact term start dates TBD- dates vary each year due to holidays and other events.

Fall 2024

HE ED 110 Introduction to Personal Health and Well-Being

KRLS 104 Introduction to Sociology of Sport and Leisure in Canadian Society

RLS 122 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Organizations

RLS 130 Collaborative Skills and Processes for Community Recreation and Leisure

Winter 2025

KIN 205 Introduction to Outdoor Environmental Education

RLS 210 Recreation and Leisure Scholarship

RLS 232 Marketing for Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Course Descriptions are available on the University of Alberta Course Catalogue: ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.ualberta.ca%2Fcatalogue%2Ffaculty%2Fpe&module=jobs&id=48708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.ualberta.ca%2Fcatalogue%2Ffaculty%2Fpe&module=jobs&id=48708" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://apps.ualberta.ca/­catalogue/­faculty/pe

Duties

• Development of course material and provision of instruction of KSR courses in the BARST degree at the International School in Hainan China
• Completion and application of cultural training
• Travel to the International School for teaching duties, assisting in relationship maintenance through collegial interaction with BSU/International School partners
• Teach courses assigned within the BARST degree program as assigned per teaching workload allocation.
• Must be willing to work outside standard hours (i.e. occasional evening and weekend meetings to accommodate the time difference between Alberta and Beijing/Hainan)
• Follow UofA and KSR policies and procedures in regards to monitoring academic progress and degree compliance for the BARST undergraduate degree.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Masters degree in Kinesiology, Sport, Recreation, Tourism or related area
• Demonstrated teaching excellence/potential at the post-secondary level
• Facilitation, negotiation, and problem solving skills and an ability to advise on challenging student situations
• Experience teaching in an international setting advantageous

Application Instructions:

Please submit your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and list of references in the online portal below. In your cover letter, please outline your interest in teaching identifying a specific list of courses and highlight your relevant qualifications and experience.

Current KSR graduate students must also provide a letter of support from their supervisor.

FAQ

• Do I need to know or be proficient in Mandarin in order to teach at the International School?

No. KSR courses are delivered in English.

• Will instructors require a work visa to work in China?

Non-Chinese instructors must first obtain a Chinese work visa in order to teach. This process starts about 5 months prior to the start of the semester. The process includes obtaining a police background check from the country(ies) that you have lived in for the past year., traveling to the local Chinese consulate in Canada for consular authentication of a document, and completing the required paperwork for the work visa. The Faculty will provide as much support as possible, but the gathering of documents and going to visit the Chinese consulate will be the responsibility of instructors. Failure to meet deadlines could result in not being able to teach.

Once in China, instructors will have to obtain a residence visa to continue their stay for the semester. To obtain a residence visa, individuals will have to register at the local police department by the Pilot Zone and undergo a medical examination. Colleagues at the School will assist instructors with these steps.

• Where will instructors live while teaching and are accommodation expenses covered?

Instructors will be placed in furnished apartments in the faculty residences located in the Pilot Zone. This accommodation is provided at no cost to the instructor. These residences have apartments equipped with a small kitchen, balcony, washing machine and a private bathroom. Apartment sizes and layouts vary and efforts will be made to meet instructor needs and preferences.

The Faculty Residences are shared by staff from many other international partnerships that run their programs in the pilot zone. Other non-Chinese schools include universities in England, Scotland, and Germany.

• Beyond accommodation, what expenses will be covered?

Instructor pay is outlined above and is defined by the relevant University of Alberta collective agreement. There are also a number of expenses covered as part of teaching at the International School. These expenses include economy airfare and ground travel expenses to and from Canada to the International School and fees associated with obtaining a work visa.

Other expenses are the responsibility of the instructor. Instructors are responsible for their meals, other living expenses (e.g., cell phone), and transportation following arrival at the School.

• What amenities are on campus and nearby?

On campus, there are currently two dining halls offering a variety of food items, as well as coffee shops for snacks and beverages. The International School has a post office and a fitness facility which instructors can use. The major city, Lingshui, has grocery stores, shopping malls, and amenities within a 30 min drive from the campus.

• Are North American credit cards accepted in China?

In China, North American credit cards are not directly accepted at most retail outlets. In Hainan and throughout China, some establishments will accept cash (RMB). Much of the retail payment operates on a cashless system through credit card payment via WeChat and Alipay. Thus, instructors may wish to download and set up WeChat Pay and/or Alipay accounts to facilitate making purchases.

• Aside from obtaining a work visa, what other preparation is required in advance of traveling to Hainan?

Prior to leaving for the International School, the Faculty of KSR will provide cultural training (required) as well as a manual to assist instructors teaching at the international school.

Instructors will need to follow U of A Health and Safety travel requirements

Instructors will have to prepare their reading materials prior to leaving for the semester in order to make sure that they are accessible to the students at the International School. Textbooks/reading assignments to be used in your class must be provided in advance so that we can share them with Beijing Sport University for review.

• What online platform will be used to support instruction?

Instructors will use the U of A Learning Management System to deliver course content, similar to what would occur if the class was taught in Edmonton.

• What is the climate like in Hainan and what cities are nearby?

Hainan is located on a similar latitude to Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Its tropical climate lends itself to average high temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to the low 30s throughout the year. It is generally very humid given its location in the South China Sea. It is also rainy with average rainfall close to 60 inches per year according to some estimates.

Lingshui is the closest major city which offers many different amenities including tourism, shopping, and cultural events. The city of Sanya is the closest major airport to the International Pilot Zone. The city of Sanya is a popular tourist destination while the airport provides flights to and from Mainland China, the South Pacific, and all over Asia. Haikou, the provincial capital, is located on the other side of the island but is also a popular tourist destination.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.