Adjunct Faculty Humanities Transformative Ideas: Revolutions in Communication Technologies

Mercy University seeks part-time adjunct instructors to teach SEMR 112:
Transformative Ideas—Revolutions in Communication Technologies
, beginning in the Spring 2027 semester. This is a standing posting for current and future teaching needs. Adjunct positions will be filled as needed through ongoing recruitment based on course and scheduling needs.

Transformative Ideas is an interdisciplinary, discussion-based seminar for students in the early stages of their undergraduate education. In Revolutions in Communication Technologies, students investigate major turning points in the history of human communication—from speech, storytelling, writing, and print to the telegraph, telephone, radio, television, the internet, social media, and generative artificial intelligence. Throughout the course, students consider how communication technologies have transformed the ways people think, learn, create communities, exercise power, and understand themselves.

The course combines this historical and interdisciplinary content with explicit instruction in foundational academic skills. Instructors will help students develop oral communication, critical thinking, technological competency, and teamwork through a series of common signature assignments. These include a short public presentation, an analysis of an argument, a data visualization, and a collaborative digital presentation.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working with students early in their college careers and be prepared to lead an active, inclusive, and student-centered seminar. Candidates should be comfortable teaching academic skills alongside course content, facilitating discussion and collaborative learning, providing constructive feedback, and helping students use digital tools thoughtfully and effectively.

A master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate academic discipline is required
. Applicants from a range of relevant academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Appropriate fields may include communication, media studies, history, science and technology studies, or another discipline related to the course's content and learning goals.

College-level teaching experience is preferred. Experience teaching interdisciplinary courses, general education courses, first- or second-year students, or skills-based seminars is especially welcome. A commitment to inclusive teaching and to the success of Mercy University’s diverse undergraduate population is required.

Sections will be offered at Mercy University’s Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, and Manhattan campuses or online, depending on program needs.