Tenure Track 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 approximately 2,000 undergraduates declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer masters 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 (MFJS) invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor in Film Studies and Production beginning in September 2026. Eligible candidates will have received a Ph.D. or MFA. The successful candidate will teach five in-person, undergraduate courses over three quarters during the academic year, with a focus on film and video production, and engage in departmental, College, and University service. The successful candidate will teach courses in the Film and Video Production and Studies major and in the University’s common curriculum. Candidates who are interested will also have the opportunity to teach in the department’s graduate programs. Possible courses include Intro to Film Production, Narrative Film Production 1 & 2, Intro to Screenwriting, and Directing. The successful candidate must have substantial professional credits working on films and/or television and be able to employ a range of techniques to teach the art and craft of filmmaking to students. Candidates who focus their film work on underrepresented groups and social issues are especially encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions

• Teach 5 in-person courses over three quarters, with an emphasis on film and video production
• 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
• Mentor students in the classroom and on set
• Deploy best practices for classroom technology through the University of Denver’s learning management software, Canvas
• Demonstrate active engagement in filmmaking/creative work
• Engage in active service to the department, College, University and profession

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to teach in-person/face-to-face film production and study courses
• Ability to teach 5 courses over 3 quarters each year.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student and community populations
• Demonstrated record of creative activity
• Demonstrated commitment to innovative curriculum development focused on the future of the media industries
• Dedication to professional development and staying abreast of technological changes facing the media industry

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MFA in Film Studies/Production, Communication, Media Studies, Mass Communication or related disciplines.

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.
• 3-5 years of creative experience in film and video productions
• Demonstrated expertise in intersectional approaches to film and society.
• Demonstrated record of