Journalism Adjunct Professor - Public Relations

Job Description The University of La Verne is a private not-for-profit university founded in 1891 located in La Verne, California. The core values that we live by are Ethical Reasoning, Diversity and Inclusivity, Lifelong Learning and Community and Civic Engagement. If you’re passionate about these values, join us at the University of La Verne! The Journalism program in the Department of Communications at the University of La Verne (30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles) has an immediate opening for a part-time adjunct instructor/professor to teach Public Relations Methods, Journalism 430, in the Spring 2027 semester. The 16-week semester begins in January 2027. The course is taught in person and is scheduled as an evening class that meets once a week on Tuesdays, from 6:50 p.m. to 10 p.m. Public Relations Methods, Journalism 430 Course Description: Methods of Public Relations is a core class for Public Relations majors. This professionally-oriented class provides the fundamental hands-on experience and knowledge required for the professional practice of public relations. Through instructor lectures, guest speakers, team projects, activities, social media and web writing, plus writing and reading assignments, students will be exposed to public relations strategies and tactics that will be useful in their future careers. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be familiar with the strategic planning involved in public relations and the various tactics involved to help clients achieve their goals, including media relations, social media, PR writing techniques and presentation skills. Course Objectives: The University of La Verne prepares its students to become well-educated, principled citizens who are capable of initiating careers as skilled journalists, public relations practitioners and other related communication professionals. In this course, students will: Attain competency in advocacy writing and learn how to position a client’s product or services. Story structure, tone of writing and voice, and the Associated Press journalistic style will be examined.Attain experience in the gathering of information and develop a critical analysis of situations in order to counsel public relations clients. Students will develop techniques that include interviewing, observation and how to research primary and secondary sources.Acquire expertise in thinking critically and creatively, while exercising news judgment. They will learn to organize and present information in multiple journalistic forms (i.e., print, visual and digital).Develop an ethical basis for making journalistic and public relations decisions.Learn to adapt to the rapidly evolving mass communication media and environments using a variety of technologies and techniques.Develop a skill set to make social media matter in public relations.Develop a skill set to write excellent web copy and understand how to assemble effective web pages.Learn how to assemble press packages in a digital format. Responsibilities Under the direction of the Program Chair the adjunct professor will: Develop and Maintain Syllabus Materials: The adjunct professor is responsible for selecting and compiling tests, assignments and/or online discussion exercises. Facilitate Class Instruction: The adjunct professor is responsible for teaching the assigned course in accordance with learning objectives and session plan outlines. Evaluate Student Performance: The adjunct professor is expected to administer evaluations of student performance based on course deliverables and course rubrics. All course grades will be posted on the D2L Brightspace Grade Center. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree, Journalism, Public Relations or related field. Professional journalism or public relations experience – 5 Years. Preferred Qualifications Master’s Degree, Journalism or Public Relations.