Adjunct Instructor - Design Theory, Research, and Process

Posting Details

Job Summary/Basic Function

In keeping with our mission and vision statement, Maryville actively seeks adjunct faculty members who are experts in their fields and have a passion for teaching. Adjunct faculty are an integral part of the University’s learning community and teach courses on the main campus. The successful candidate must be committed to fostering a welcoming environment for a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.

Maryville University is seeking qualified candidates interested in teaching an on-ground course titled Design Theory, Research, and Process. The course description is as follows: Design at its most effective solves problems and is created through a creative process based in thoughtful exploration, research, theory, and iteration. This course encourages students to refine creative problem-solving skills through the practice and application of design thinking processes, research methods, and prevalent theories of art and design. The course will be taught via a lecture format and meets once a week on Mondays, 6:00 pm to 8:50 pm .

Course Projects:
• Blog Posts: Why You’re a Designer, Design Process
• Design Brief: Each student will produce their own design brief. The design brief will include an overview of the café, a description of the personality, a mission statement, goals, and target audience groups. Students will work through these components and refine their work with peer and instructional reviews.
• Research Summary Report & Presentation: Students create a research summary report that outlines design research for an organization and its market, target audience, and design goals.
• Design Theory Project: Students will research and produce a project that illustrates and tests one design theory topic from Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules by Jeff Johnson.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:
• Teach assigned course as specified in the schedule and course contract.
• Participate in welcome orientation to become familiar with the University’s mission, academic policies and procedures, expectations, and Canvas (Learning Management System).
• Prepare essential learning objectives, lesson plans, and assignments. Develop course syllabus.
• Clearly communicate course objectives and learning outcomes, teaching methodology, and assignments and deadlines.
• Employ a variety of teaching styles in order to effectively deliver course content demonstrating both academic and real-world applications of concepts covered.
• Encourage active learning through discussion topics, class assignments, group projects, etc.
• Provide feedback and grade assignments in a timely and thorough manner (within 24 hours).
• Establish weekly office hours to provide additional assistance with student questions/concerns.
• Report early alerts for students who are not actively engaging in the course.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters or bachelor’s degree with professional experience and expertise in Interactive Design, Graphic Design, User Experience, or a Design related discipline
• Student-centered approach and passion for teaching and mentoring a diverse student population.
• Commitment to an experiential learning philosophy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional/teaching experience
• College or university-level teaching experience.

Physical Demands

Open Until Filled

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background screening.

Applicants requiring University sponsorship to obtain employment authorization will not be considered for this position.

Maryville University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race/color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.

Advertised: November 30, 2021
Applications close: