Lecturer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s Department of Ethnomusicology invites applications for a part-time lecturer position in African American Musical Heritage for Fall quarter of the 2026-27 academic year. The course explores the West/Central African cultural and musical roots and their transformations in the USA from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Amongst those musical styles and genres covered range from early sacred song tradition such as hymns, spirituals, and early black secular musical practices; the late 19th through 20th centuries genres such as the blues, ragtime/early jazz, and gospel music to the overall impact of African American music across the United States, the Americas, and the world.

Responsibilities will include individual student teaching supervision and assigned undergraduate ethnomusicology courses. Additional responsibilities may include advising credential candidates on preparing standardized assessment documents and other issues related to certification.

Applicants should have an established regional, national, and/or international reputation as a music educator with expertise and experience in the development of curriculum of sociocultural history and survey of African American music covering Africa and its impact on the Americas; music of 17th through 19th centuries; minstrelsy and its impact on representation of blacks in film, television, and theater; religious music, including hymns, spirituals, and gospel; black music of Caribbean and Central and South America; and music of black Los Angeles. A post-baccalaureate degree is required.

Applications must include: 1) a cover letter stating interest in the position and summarizing relevant experience, 2) a comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae, 3) a statement of teaching philosophy, 4) a response to the University’s Mission Statement, 5) a reference check authorization release and 6) names and contact information for at least three professional references. Applicants may consider including online video links representing their teaching although doing so is not required.

Applications will be reviewed by the search committee as they are submitted with a deadline of August 31, 2026, for Fall quarter employment. The anticipated appointment date is October 1, 2026, for Fall quarter.

This position is represented by the University Council - American Federation of Teachers: CBA UCnet. Internal applicants will be considered for reappointment prior to the consideration of external applicants.

• Advanced expertise in the curriculum design of the sociocultural history and survey of African American music.

• Experience interacting with the world music community on various cultural and educational initiatives.

• PhD in ethnomusicology or related field

• University teaching experience

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Teaching Philosophy

• Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

• UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

  The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

  Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
  Expand our reach as a global university
  Enhance our research and creative activities
  Elevate how we teach
  Become a more effective institution

  Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

  Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

• Document containing audio and/or video links (Optional)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
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• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment