Adjunct Instructor of Communication -

Artificial Intelligence Craft for Communicators

The Master of Communication Management (MCM) program at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, is seeking a qualified Adjunct Lecturer to enhance the instruction provided by our full-time faculty. Specifically, this position will involve teaching CMGT 599: Artificial Intelligence Craft for Communicators.

This course will teach communication professionals the core, programming-language-agnostic skills surrounding software development — skills such as problem decomposition, systems thinking, algorithmic reasoning, and data modeling — so students can build real applications with emerging AI tools. This “agentic engineering” (previously “vibe coding”) approach means expressing intent in natural language and iterating with AI-assisted environments that scaffold code, user interfaces, databases, and deployments. Students will learn to turn communication needs—audience segmentation, content ops, social listening, crisis workflows, internal communications bots, analytics dashboards—into robust, testable micro-apps. The course emphasizes conceptual reasoning, data structuring, quality evaluation, and safe deployment.

Topics include (but not limited to):

• Framing problems like a developer—break a communication task into inputs, transformations, state, and outputs; define success metrics and constraints.
• Applying algorithmic thinking—choose appropriate control flow, basic algorithms, and evaluate trade-offs.
• Modeling data effectively—design simple schemas, choose appropriate storage, and enforce validation.
• Designing modular systems—define clear boundaries, sketch architectures, and plan for change.
• Using AI development tools productively—prompt, critique, and refine generated code.
• Debugging and testing AI-generated apps—reproduce issues, add sanity checks, and prevent regressions.
• Working with APIs and integrations—authenticate safely, call services, and handle errors.
• Building for reliability and performance—apply caching, pagination, and observability.
• Shipping with confidence—use version control, manage environments, and deploy iteratively.
• Honoring security, privacy, and ethics—protect secrets, handle PII responsibly, and ensure transparency.
• Communicating technical intent—write concise specs and README docs.
• Delivering a working capstone—launch a communications-relevant app (e.g., newsroom assistant, analytics tool, or stakeholder Q&A bot) and measure impact.

Ideal candidates will possess significant professional experience in internet, software, artificial intelligence and media sectors; expertise in strategy consulting, especially in new technology (automation, social, mobile, artificial intelligence) implementation and transformation in organizational processes and systems across multiple industries. Experience in partner-, chief-level officer, and/or founder roles preferred. Prior teaching or proven coaching or advisory experience is also preferred.

Applicants

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must apply via the USC Careers Services website. Submission materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and contact information for three recommendations. The cover letter should be addressed to:

School of Communication Faculty Search Committee (attention Nancy Ruiz)

Annenberg School of Communication

University of Southern California

3502 Watt Way, Suite 305,

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281.

Applicants may direct questions to Nancy Ruiz, nruiz@usc.edu. Materials submitted by regular mail will not be accepted.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: A Bachelor’s in Communication, Liberal Arts, Data Analytics, Marketing, Business Management, Computer Science or related fields.

Minimum Experience: 15 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred Education: A Master’s in Communication, Communication, Liberal Arts, Data Analytics, Marketing, Business Management, Computer Science or related fields.

Preferred Experience: Significant professional experience in internet, software, artificial intelligence

and media sectors; expertise in strategy consulting, especially in new technology (automation, social, mobile, artificial intelligence) implementation and transformation in organizational processes and systems across multiple industries. Experience in partner-, chief-level officer, and/or founder roles preferred. Prior teaching or proven coaching or advisory experience is also preferred.

The hourly range for this position is $37.87 – $46.96. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC reserves the “Adjunct” appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC, who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year, but in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.