Adjunct Professor - Advanced Documentary Production | Career Development

Adjunct Professor – Advanced Documentary Production

University of San Francisco

R0011823

USF Hilltop Campus

Job Title:

Adjunct Professor – Advanced Documentary Production

Job Summary:

The Film Studies Program in the Department of Media Studies at the University of San Francisco has an opening for an instructor in the Spring 2026 semester to teach “Advanced Documentary Production.”

Full Job Description:

The course

This production course will guide students through the basic stages of making a documentary culminating in a short digital documentary. It will cover research and development, proposal writing, production, ethical practices, post-production, and distribution. Students will be encouraged to explore the aesthetic possibilities of the documentary. Through lecture, film viewings, discussions, readings, and hands-on technical workshops, students will consider strategies of storytelling, and theories of visual language and cultural representation, while utilizing current digital technologies in creating their documentary works. In particular, alternative strategies will be explored to expand the language of documentary representation, particularly where ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality intersect. Consideration of audience and distribution will figure prominently in the pre-production stage. We will analyze the various distribution outlets available, such as film festivals, broadcast, and Internet.

The class meets on Monday evenings from 4:15-8:15 pm, from January 26-May 14, 2026. A minimum of one office hour per week is required.

Minimum qualifications:

The successful candidate: (1) will hold an M.A. in film production or professional industry experience, (2) will have successfully taught a similar film production course, and (3) will have made documentary work in the last 3 years.

Adjunct faculty responsibilities:

The faculty member will assume responsibility and accountability for:

• Facilitating student learning

• Evaluating student performance; regularly assigning, critiquing, and providing frequent student feedback to enable success

Applicants should submit the following documents:

• Cover letter detailing qualifications to teach this specific course and including names and contact information for at least two references.

• Curriculum vitae

• Copies of official teaching evaluations from a documentary production course(s)

Applications must be received by November 14, 2025.

If you have questions, please email Professor Danny Plotnick, Director of Film Studies, at mailto:dplotnick@usfca.edu, and Professor Inna Arzumanova, Department Chair of Media Studies, at mailto:iarzumanova@usfca.edu.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Part time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$2,185/unit

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6703095.

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities, and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit http://www.usfca.edu.