Adjunct Faculty - HSS, Ethics and Media Instructor

Located in Redmond, Washington, DigiPen Institute of Technology is a small college that offers undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science, Game Design, Digital Audio and Music, Computer Engineering, and Digital Art and Animation, as well as Master’s degree programs in Computer Science and Digital Art. DigiPen Institute of Technology has been ranked one of the top 5 game design schools in the country by the Princeton Review for more than a decade.

To learn more, visit:  https://www.digipen.edu/ 

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at DigiPen Institute of Technology invites applicants for Adjunct Faculty to teach an Ethics and Mediacourse across various degree programs. This course explores ethical frameworks applied to media and social decision-making, focusing on how our choices around creation and consumption impact issues of safety, justice, sustainability, and inclusion. The course encourages students to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills through interactive discussions on potentially controversial topics. 

The Department covers many subject areas, such as literature, communication, world history, philosophy, psychology, and more. Department faculty bring an extensive humanities background in psychology, English, and the social sciences, as well as an appetite for thoroughly exploring and examining today’s rich media landscape. In many cases, courses are deliberately geared to the interests and pursuits of DigiPen students. Adjuncts routinely teach courses in introductory psychology, with the potential of teaching other courses in the adjuncts area of expertise. Join our faculty team and help students develop the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen fields. 

After completing the application process, you may be invited to participate in the interview process. This position would start January 6, 2025, through to the end of the Spring semester. Adjunct positions are assessed each semester and qualified applicants will be contacted when needs arise. 

Position: Adjunct Faculty – HSS, Ethics and Media Instructor

Reports to:  Dr. Chris Hawk, Humanities and Social Sciences Department Chair

Essential Functions/Duties  

• Teach courses in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
• Prepare and submit (in the Learning Management System) timely grade reports and other reports on student performance
• Demonstrate evidence of teaching experience that supports a diverse student body and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences 
• Organize class material, activities, and assignments
• Relate assessments to learning outcomes 
• Manage Student Teaching Assistants, supervising their timecards and reviewing their weekly hours, if required
• Provide input on, create, and improve course materials
• Offer weekly office hours
• In-person teaching, with online classes when necessary, located in Redmond, WA 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Deliver engaging lectures and interactive discussions that foster critical thinking and ethical analysis.
•  Facilitate a positive, inclusive learning environment where diverse voices are heard. 
• Teach ethical frameworks and help students assess media practices and social choices. 
• Guide students in identifying ethical issues within various media modalities (e.g., games, film, social media, journalism). 
• Encourage students to apply moral reasoning skills to real-world media issues. 

Qualifications: 

• A graduate degree in Philosophy, Social Science, or related field
• Strong background in media ethics, media cultures, and various media modalities. 
• Knowledge of intersectional identities and how these influence media consumption and creation. 
• Background in moral psychology (e.g., Moral Foundations Theory) or traditional ethics is beneficial. 
• Ability to teach in an interactive and engaging manner, encouraging student participation in challenging discussions. 
• Experience fostering an inclusive learning environment, especially with sensitive topics. 
• Teaching experience in media studies, social sciences, or related fields preferred. 

Course Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand media literacy and its personal and societal impact.
• Anticipate and identify ethical issues in media.
• Develop critical thinking skills to analyze media messages and practices.
• Apply knowledge of media cultures and their role in constructing meaning. 

Salary Range:

$4,752 – $7,983 per term, depending on credit hours, class size, and faculty rank

Not benefits eligible.

Application Procedure:

Applications should include, or you will be asked to provide, the following:

• A cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae
• Academic Transcripts of most recently attended educational institutions (unofficial is acceptable for the application, with an official copy requested later)
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• Statement of experience on maximizing quality and engagement across broad subjects and perspectives
• Copy of most recent teaching evaluations 

Upon accepting an offer of employment with us, the candidate will receive an invitation for a required background check, employment verification, and 5-panel drug screen as a part of the hiring process.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Complete application files will be accepted on a continuous basis and remain active for 365 days. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Additional Notes:

All Adjunct positions are part-time, temporary assignments (for no more than one semester at a time), dependent upon student enrollment and instructional needs, and subject to budget consideration and approval. DigiPen Institute of Technology reserves the right to extend application deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions.

Equal opportunity is a priority of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as the institution is committed to fostering a positive learning environment for all. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.