Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor in Film Studies and Production

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 5,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer master's or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society. 

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies (MFJS) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver offers students a robust understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.  With its emphasis on developing strong communication skills across various platforms and its grounding in the critical evaluation of media practices, the department’s offerings prepare students for the pursuit of excellence in the constantly evolving media, film, strategic communication, and journalism professions.  The Department offers undergraduates degrees in film studies and production, journalism studies, media studies, and strategic communication (public relations).  At the graduate level, the Department offers a Master of Arts in media and public communication (strategic communication or media and globalization emphasis) and a Master of Arts in international and intercultural communication.

Position Summary

The Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies invites applications for a one-year, half-time Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor in Film Studies and Production for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning in September 2026.  Eligible candidates will have received a Ph.D. or MFA or an M.A./M.S. and have significant professional experience. The successful candidate will teach four in-person courses over three quarters during the 2026-2027 academic year. The candidate will teach courses in the Film and Video Production and Studies major and in the university’s common curriculum, including two (2) sections of Introduction to Filmmaking, one (1) section of Cinematography, and one (1) section of Directing for Film and Television.

Essential Functions 

• Teach 4 in-person courses over three quarters
• Meet outside of class in weekly office hours to provide guidance and assistant to students enrolled in courses taught
• Assign and grade coursework as appropriate
• Deploy best practices for classroom technology through the University of Denver’s online learning platform, Canvas

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to teach in-person/face-to-face undergraduate class(es)
• Ability to teach 4 courses over 3 quarters each year.
• Demonstrated record of successful teaching at the collegiate level
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student and community populations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MFA in Film Studies/Production, Communication, Media Studies, Mass Communication or related disciplines OR M.A./M.S. in Film Studies/Production or related disciplines and five or more years of professional experience in film and video production. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience teaching in a film studies and production/media studies/mass communication department
• Prior experience teaching film and video production courses and introductory level film criticism courses.
• Demonstrated expertise in intersectional approaches to film and society.

Work Schedule

Academic year 2026-2027; exact schedule to be coordinated with department chair.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus 

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 15, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only appl