Instructor, Political Science (Pre-Law/Legal Studies emphasis)

Department

Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science

Job Posting Title

International Faculty; Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law/Legal Studies

Job Description

The Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science is looking to hire a full-time instructor of Political Science (teaching political science and legal studies courses) on annual international assignment for Fort Hays State University (FHSU) stationed at Shenyang Normal University (SNU) in Liaoning Province, China, with opportunity for annual renewal.  Each FHSU faculty position in China is an annual assignment as a non-tenure-track instructor subject to annual review, with the possibility of continuation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree with 18 or more graduate credit hours in Political Science, Legal Studies, Judicial Politics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of 24 months full-time teaching experience.
• Successful candidates must be eligible to legally work in the United States and be able to apply for and receive a Z visa, residence permit, and work permit in China.
• Ability to meet employment regulations to work legally in China with a Chinese work visa, including age restrictions (currently, no work visas are being issued to foreigners over the age of 60 except in extraordinary circumstances), background check restrictions (applicants with DUI/DWI or other such infractions are not issued a work permit), various health history requirements, and education authentication with an original university diploma, among other documents. Work visas are not issued to foreign applicants who cannot provide authentication and proof of educational background.

FHSU will outline these processes and assist in acquiring and paying for these documents.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or J.D.) from an accredited institution in Political Science, Law, Judicial Politics, or a closely related field.
• One to three years’ experience in teaching pre-law/legal studies courses.
• Familiarity with teaching ESL/EFL students and international students, especially Chinese students.
• Prior experience working abroad.
• Strong teaching, communication, and cross-cultural skills.
• Experience using of Learning Management Systems (Blackboard is our LMS in China).

Rank: Instructor (master’s degree) or Assistant Professor (doctorate)

Appointment Date: 2026-2027 Academic Year

Application Deadline: Priority deadline for review is January 12, 2026

Salary: The best current, good faith estimate of the salary for the position as Assistant Professor is $53,516 and as an Instructor is $50,516, which is based on data from the College and University Professional Association (CUPA). These amounts are subject to change.

Benefits: Benefits Provided by Fort Hays State University:

• Transportation to China to begin the semester.
• $3000 stipend for return travel on the faculty member’s own schedule at the end of the academic year.
• $1700 food stipend to help cover some of the meal expenses.
• Health, retirement, and associated benefits package.
• $200 one-time payment for costs associated with obtaining work permits.
• The FHSU Faculty Development Fund is available to cross-border faculty. Faculty Development is defined as any activity that encourages faculty to acquire knowledge, skills, techniques, and attitudes to provide quality teaching and develop research/scholarly/creative activity and effective service at Fort Hays State University. All types of FHSU faculty, including international faculty teaching abroad, are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Faculty Development Fund.

To review our competitive benefit package, please visit FHSU Benefits.

Additional Benefits Provided by Shenyang Normal University:

• Housing is provided on the SNU campus; furnishings include a kitchen, flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Some utilities are covered; a stipend is provided for Internet access.
• Bathrooms include Western-style toilets and a washing machine. Spouses and children are allowed to live with FHSU faculty members stationed at SNU.
• Holidays as stipulated by the laws of China.
• Gym, indoor pool, spa, and other similar fitness facilities available for a fee.
• Exposure to a diverse international community of faculty, students, and visitors.

These benefits are subject to change by SNU but have been in place for many years.

Responsibilities: This position entails teaching four sections (up to 45 students in each section) per semester of pre-law/legal studies and political science courses taught by the Political Science Program. We anticipate teaching the following courses at SNU:

• Orientation to Political Science
• Foundations of Political Science
• Political Philosophy/Theory
• Introduction to Public Policy
• Introduction to the Law
• Legal Research Methods
• Legal Advocacy
• Government Powers & Constraints

Other duties include department and university service (90% Teaching; 10% Service). After training in Hays, the faculty member will teach face-to-face classes for FHSU in Shenyang, China. The faculty member will live on campus among other FHSU international faculty. All courses will be delivered in English.

Application Process: To apply for this position, please visit FHSU Careers. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted.

Required Application Documents:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact information for three professional references

Applicant documents must be submitted as one PDF.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, Chair, Department of Communication Studies, Law, & Political Science

wmrohledersook@fhsu.edu

785-628-4467

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status.

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check.

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.

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