Adjunct Media Law Lecturer

Position Overview

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication (HSJMC) in the College of
Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota occasionally needs part-time instructors to teach
courses that cannot be staffed by regular faculty who teach courses in media law and ethics.
These courses may include topics related to media law and ethics. These positions are
temporary (one semester) and part-time (one course per semester).

The school is particularly interested in recruiting a diverse and inclusive pool of working
professionals whose daily professional activities lend themselves to expertise relevant to
curricula in media law and ethics. The School is seeking applications from individuals with
teaching experience and/or professional legal experience in media law, First Amendment
freedoms, the Freedom of Information Act, legal case law as it relates to freedom of the press,
libel law, shield laws, copyright, speech and expression online, technology policy and the law,
and related issues.

Appointments are made at the ranks of teaching specialist or lecturer, consistent with University
policy and depending on qualifications and experience. Appointments may be renewed subject
to satisfactory performance, curricular need, and availability of funding. This posting does not
constitute a posting for specific vacancies but establishes a pool of applicants should openings
occur for spring semester 2026.

Openings for part-time teaching specialists and lecturers typically occur for day or evening
semester courses during the academic year. Appointment dates for spring semester 2026 are:
01/8/2026 to 05/24/2026.

Job duties include providing instruction, grading, and holding office hours.

Compensation is based on experience and number of courses taught. Pay range is
$7,000-$16,000

Required Qualifications:

• A J.D. or Ph.D. in Mass Communication or a related field, or other appropriate terminal
  degree.
• At least two (2) years practicing law in a relevant area and/or practical experience in the
  media industry managing legal issues/policy or closely related area
• Experience, or potential, for teaching legal concepts to non-law students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in journalism, mass communication or related field.
• At least five (5) years practicing law in a relevant area and/or practical experience in the
  media industry or closely related area.;
• Previous teaching experience in higher education or engagement with professional
  training.
• Ability to use technology effectively for teaching and communication.
• Current knowledge of First Amendment law as related to current and emerging
  technology.

Equivalency Statement

Substantial demonstrated and successful professional experience may
be demonstrated by both of the following: (A) Ten (10) or more years of demonstrated and
successful professional experience in practicing media law; (B) evaluation by a faculty
committee that the professional achievement of the candidates constitutes equivalency with the
required qualifications.

Consistent with University policy, candidates with the B.A. degree (or equivalency) or the M.A.
degree will be appointed at the rank of teaching specialist; candidates with a terminal
professional degree, M.B.A, Ph.D., J.D., or equivalent will be appointed at the rank of lecturer.

Candidates will be evaluated according to (A) extent of professional experience relevant to the
course instructional need; (B) overall quality of professional experience in the legal, journalism,
mass communication, strategic communication field; (C) evidence of potential or ability to teach
the course to meet Hubbard School professional standards and perform the assigned professional
advising duties relevant to the position. References may be requested as additional evaluative
information.

About Hubbard School

The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota is
part of the College of Liberal Arts and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Journalism
and Mass Communication. The Hubbard School offers majors in Strategic Communication -
Advertising and Public Relations, Professional Journalism, and Media and Information; and
minors in Media and Information and Digital Media Studies. The Hubbard School offers an
academic M.A. and Ph.D. and a Professional M.A. in Strategic Communication.

Housed in Murphy Hall, a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research of journalism,
strategic communication, and emerging media studies, the Hubbard School is home to the Silha
Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law, the Minnesota Journalism Center, the Hubbard
Digital Studios, and the Digital Information Research Center/Sevareid Library. Hubbard facilities
also include the Murphy Hall conference center, multimedia classrooms, and
psychophysiological communication research labs, and a focus group room, which is used to
support graduate-level experimental research. For further information, please visit the Hubbard
School of Journalism and Mass Communication's website, at: https://cla.umn.edu/hsjmc

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal
Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic
departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units.
CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and
administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West
Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of
the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an
annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our
increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational
commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of
underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines,
recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse
perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills
we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Pay Range: $7000 - $16,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This is a pooled position and will remain open until the start of spring semester 2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).