WLIC - UX100 : Design Thinking I: Foundations (Spring 2026)

Faculty/Academic Area: Wilfrid Laurier Intl College (WLIC) 

Department: N/A 

Campus: Waterloo 

Employee Group: WLUFA 

Requisition ID: 10725 

Position Title: WLIC – UX100 : Design Thinking I: Foundations (Spring 2026)

Faculty/Academic Area: Wilfrid Laurier International College

About Wilfrid Laurier International College (WLIC)

Wilfrid Laurier International College’s programs and approach to teaching offer international students the opportunity to be fully prepared for university studies and have a smooth transition to Wilfrid Laurier University. Our comprehensive programming, both academic and extracurricular, allows students to explore and navigate their own personal journey to success. Through HyFlex programming in many of our courses we aim provide maximum flexibility to students from across the globe.

Located on the Waterloo campus, Wilfrid Laurier International College (WLIC) was established by Navitas in 2020. Navitas is a global higher education provider specializing in pathway programs providing international students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in a Canadian post-secondary educational setting. WLIC welcomes international students from across the world to complete a first year of study to qualify for their undergraduate program of choice at Laurier. Upon completion of ten courses and with the attainment of the required CGPA, WLIC students transfer into second year at Laurier in their chosen pathway. The undergraduate courses that students take at WLIC are Laurier courses taught by Laurier selected instructors.

For more information, visit https://www.laurieric.ca/

Term: Spring 2026 (May 1 – August 31, 2026)

Days/Times: Spring schedule – Courses will be delivered in either 4-hour teaching blocks or two separate 2-hour sessions, at the discretion of WLIC. Classes will be scheduled within the general window of 8:30am – 7:30pm (day(s) of week and time scheduled in consultation with CTF and in consideration of teaching schedule at WLU). **There is no reading week in the WLIC term: each term consists of 12 consecutive weeks of teaching immediately followed by a 1-week final exam period**

Campus: Waterloo – (Hyflex; In Person)

Hours per week/Hours Total:  4-hour teaching blocks or two separate 2-hour teaching blocks (1 or 2 days per week)

Anticipated Class Size: 20 - 35

Posted on:  March 12, 2026

Posting ends: March 27, 2026

Position Summary: This course is an introduction to the theories and methods that underpin design thinking and practice. UX100 introduces the design process, visual analysis, design theories, universal design, and the socio-cultural implications of design. Students investigate the interactions between humans and their natural, social, and designed environments where purposeful design helps determine the quality of those interactions. Students will learn how design outcomes, whether successes or failures, shape and are shaped by socio/cultural and historical factors. Students of design thinking will learn to critically assess the processes, outcomes and effects of design engagement. During the course, students will have opportunities to test and explore the concepts of design thinking through small-group, hands-on participation in design projects.

Course Delivery

for the HyFlex delivery and management of courses; including, but not limited to:

• Providing engaging and interactive course instruction simultaneously to both in-person and remote learners, including best practices for assessments in HyFlex courses.
• Use course management system tools to communicate with students and to foster and support a collaborative online learning community with and between students in the course.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback on student work.
• Respond to student academic and course administration inquiries in a timely manner and refer students to technical support or student support when appropriate.
• Support academic integrity in the creation and administration of assignments, tests, and exams in an online environment.

Applicants who have taught this course at Laurier are preferred.

For more information, please visit:

WLIC Resource Page

Qualifications – Required: Master’s Degree

Qualifications – Other: 

• The successful applicant for this position will have demonstrated experience teaching the IDEO or Stanford D.School method of design thinking and will have demonstrated professional experience using design thinking as part of UX practice.
• Three or more years’ experience teaching Design Thinking at the college or university level. Three or more years’ professional experience in UX or User-Centered Design.
• Previous experience teaching international students would be considered an asset.
• Previous experience in HyFlex teaching would be considered an asset.
• *Instructors must agree to teach this course with a HyFlex mode of delivery*

Salary:  $9,316.88 + ($3,105.63 prorated for 4th hour of instruction)

Application Deadline: March 27, 2026

Submit with Application: Please read- Important information below

Required for All Applicants

• CV (Maximum of 10 pages, with 12-point font and 2.54 cm margins. Pages which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application)
• Candidate Application Form (CAF)
• On the CAF, applicants must clearly outline only those qualifications which are relevant for each course for which they have applied and articulate how their work and academic experience enhances their ability to teach each course

Required for External Applicants (not currently members of current Laurier CTF bargaining unit)

• Names and contact information for referees
• Evidence of good teaching (only original institutional records will be considered, not summaries nor selected excerpts)
• Verification of highest degree

Optional for all applicants

• Teaching Dossier and/or relevant supplementary documentation (Maximum of 25 pages in total, with 12-point font and 2.54 cm margins. Pages which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application)
• Cover letter highlighting teaching and research experience relevant to the posted course Maximum of three pages, with 12-point font and 2.54 cm margins. Pages which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application
• Maximum of three syllabi of relevant courses. Submissions which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application
• Portfolio

Applicants will be required to submit proof of academic credentials for highest degree prior to be awarded a contract. It is highly recommended that applicants include this verification with their application.

To Apply:

Please click the gold “Apply Now” button located on the top right hand side of the page.

You will be asked to sign in if you have already created an account. If you are not a registered user you may create an account to apply to career opportunities. Once an account is created you will be able to sign in to apply for the position.

Address Applications to:

WLIC Hiring Committee

Questions can be directed to WLICadmin@wlu.ca.

This appointment is in accordance with the Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-time Librarians Collective Agreement, for which the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty Association (WLUFA) is the exclusive bargaining agent.  All applicants are assessed using both the “Appendix H: Assessment of CTF Candidates under 13.6.1” in the collective agreement and the program specific rubric, where applicable.  Candidates should review these documents and ensure the information required is easily accessible in the application. 

Please Note:

Candidate Application form (CAF) is used to apply to an individual posting and must be submitted with each application. The completed form is to be uploaded with all other application materials by the deadline listed in the course posting. Refer to Appendix I of the Contract Teaching Faculty Collective Agreement for further guidance about completing the CAF and Appendix H for details on how this form will be scored.

CTF Members (those who have taught a Laurier in the last 36 months) may wish to submit a single application to multiple course postings via the Posted Course Application Form (PCAF) Appendix G, which includes the CAF.  The link to the Faculty specific PCAF is included in the email notification of posted courses you would have received from the hiring department/program/area at Laurier. The PCAF is a separate form due within 5 days of the email notification of posted courses and is submitted via Qualtrics. Refer to this notification for the link to the PCAF. Members who do not submit a PCAF may apply for posted course through a separate application for each course. Refer to the collective agreement for additional information on the PCAF.

For Supplementary Remuneration for large classes or multi-section courses, see Article 28.3

Pursuant to Article 13.5 of the Collective Agreement for Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) and Part-time Librarians, all applicants shall apply electronically. Applications must be received by 23:59 local time of the date on the posting.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University's Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier's core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates from equity deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at indigenous@wlu.ca. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity and Accessibility at equity@wlu.ca. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources at hr@wlu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.  In accordance with the requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the successful applicants will be required to prove they are legally able to work in Canada.

Members of the designated groups must self-identify to the appropriate Dean(s) to be considered for employment equity.

All course offerings will be contingent on adequate student registration and subject to budgetary funding.

Members of the Contract Teaching Faculty bargaining unit:

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online.

All applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the part-time hiring committee.  Only those applicants recommended for a position will be contacted.