Adjunct Instructor - Focused Inquiry

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Position Responsibilities:

The College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking part-time adjunct faculty members to teach Focused Inquiry courses on an as-needed basis. Faculty members teaching in the Department of Focused Inquiry participate in shared curricula, with the expectation that students across all sections of a course achieve similar learning objectives. Primary teaching responsibilities include instruction of UNIV 111, 112, and/or 200, which students are expected to complete in their first two years. This three-semester, interdisciplinary course sequence is learner-centered and promotes integrative thinking as well as student engagement, with a particular emphasis on written and oral communication, critical thinking, collaborative learning, information fluency, and ethical reasoning. All adjunct faculty are expected to be available to students outside of class via office hours (one hour for each 3-hour class taught) as well as via email and other electronic communications.

*Please note that, at this time, we cannot guarantee the availability of adjunct vacancies from semester to semester. However, we invite qualified applicants who are willing to accept part-time teaching work on an as-needed basis to apply.

Required Qualifications:

Focused Inquiry promotes a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning. We welcome candidates from any academic discipline with interest or experience in teaching interdisciplinary general education courses with an emphasis on written and oral communication and critical thinking. Evidence of excellence in college-level teaching is required. At least three years of college teaching experience in a general education curriculum is preferred. A master’s degree in an academic discipline is required. Preference is given to candidates desiring to work with a student population from all backgrounds in a collaborative, learning-centered community of teachers and learners. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and/or experiential learning through lived experiences and/or professional service that inform a variety of worldviews and/or perspectives.

Special Instructions to Applicants

All candidates must attach to this application a letter of intent (cover letter), curriculum vitae or resume, and a statement of teaching philosophy (as an “Other Document”). Applicants must also include within their application materials the names/contact information (including email address) of three references who are able to address the candidate’s teaching abilities. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

For more information about Virginia Commonwealth University, please visit our website at http://www.vcu.edu/about/. Please also check out this link for an overview of what it’s like to live and work in the Richmond area: https://www.vcu.edu/why-vcu/. More information about the Department of Focused Inquiry can be found by visiting https://focusedinquiry.vcu.edu/.

PLEASE NOTE: This applicant pool will be utilized on an as-needed basis. Should an adjunct teaching position become available, the Department of Focused Inquiry will contact those in the pool whose credentials and experience match our teaching needs. This pool will be accessed only when an opening arises. Your application will remain active through July 1, 2026. If you are still interested in adjunct teaching after that date, you may resubmit your application for the subsequent academic year. A new application must be submitted each year in order to be considered for an interview. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.