Adjunct Instructor, Business and Economic Foundations of Public Relations and Advertising

About the role

The Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California seeks a highly qualified adjunct instructor to teach an undergraduate course PR 429: Business and Economics of Public Relations and Advertising.

Responsibilities

• Explore how economic principles, business operations, and financial systems shape the practice of modern public relations and advertising in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
• Prepare students to operate effectively as communication professionals across corporate, agency, nonprofit, and government settings by equipping them with fluency in the language of business, economics, and executive decision-making.
• Introduce students to the fundamental relationship between communication strategy and business performance.
• Teach core economic concepts as they relate to public relations and advertising, including the impact of macroeconomic developments on organizational strategy and messaging.
• Cover “Business 101” topics such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and operations, with an emphasis on how these functions intersect with communication roles.
• Guide students through financial communications and investor relations, including earnings announcements, shareholder communications, SEC filings, and the lifecycle of a company from startup funding to initial public offering.
• Introduce key entrepreneurial concepts such as innovation theory, startup strategy, and business model development, reflecting the growing importance of independent and agency-based communication work.
• Students will produce professional-quality writing materials, including media pitches, Q&A documents, and corporate narratives for inclusion in their portfolios.
• Help students develop the ability to analyze and critique public statements issued by corporations and government institutions on economic topics, apply investor relations fundamentals, and communicate effectively about macro- and microeconomic issues.
• Emphasize both analytical thinking and practical communication skills relevant to today’s professional environment.

Requirements

• A B.A., B.S., M.S., or an M.A. degree in a related field.
• Previous teaching experience is desirable. For some courses, outstanding professional experience may be substituted for academic credentials.

Qualifications

Applicants should send a letter describing their background, interests, and areas of expertise, along with an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae, through USC’s job site.

Skills

N/A

Benefits

N/A

Pay

The hourly range for this position is $37.88 – $46.96.

Schedule

N/A