he Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California seeks a highly qualified adjunct instructor to teach JOUR598: Journalism Capstone Project (DIGITAL)

Professional Experience:

Applicants should have extensive reporting and production experience for a digital outlet where text, multimedia and digital storyforms were the primary products. That experience should include a mix of spot news/daily reporting and long-form/long-term reporting (enterprise stories, special projects, investigative, etc.) Applicants must demonstrate that they have written for web, digital, app and social media platforms (and that they have an understanding of the different types of writing, design and production required for those different platforms).

Previous teaching experience encouraged but not necessary. Applicants should have a B.A., B.S., M.S., or an M.A. degree in a related field.  For some courses, outstanding professional experience may be substituted for academic credentials.

Required Skills/Knowledge Areas:

• Modern Journalism Research methods.
• The pitching process in media newsrooms and for freelancers.
• Infographics, Maps, Interactives and Digital Elements (requires proficiency and understanding of tools such as Google Maps, Piktochart, Infogram, Timeline JS, Juxtapose, Storymaps, SoundCite, Storify, etc.)
• Photography (composition, captions & design) and visual literacy for various platforms with proficiency in Photoshop or related programs/apps.
• News Project Design and story development.
• Modern Media Ethics and the Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Reporters.
• Data Journalism, including knowledge and practical reporter/editorial experience with data sources and tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Fusion Tables, etc.).
• Coding/Design Skills, including required knowledge of WordPress, HTML, CSS, and some JQuery, but instructors do not have to teach coding. They do need to be able to answer student questions and should be ahead of most of our students in the fall when it comes to coding.
• Web analytics and audience engagement tools (such as Google Analytics, Omniture, Chartbeat, Alexa)

Other Skills desired, but not required:

• SQL and SQL-related database managers, CartoDB, Python, Microsoft Access, past work in audio and video for broadcast and/or digital

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

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is among the nation’s leading institutions devoted to the study of communication, journalism and public relations.  With an enrollment of 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, USC Annenberg scholars, both students and faculty, are defining these fields for the 21st century and beyond.