Adjunct Instructor of Public Policy and Management

University of Southern California
Sol Price School of Public Policy
Adjunct Instructor of Public Policy and Management
Department of Public Policy and Management

The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy is seeking a working professional or academic with expertise to teach in the area of public policy and governance.  The successful candidate should possess a Ph.D. or currently enrolled in a doctoral program in public policy, political science, law, or a related field; a master’s degree may be acceptable with appropriate experience. The candidate will be able to teach the undergraduate course PPD 225 Public Policy and Management (“Institutions, legal context, and processes of public policy and management. Contemporary theories of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Public managerial challenges and reforms.”). Preference will be given to candidates with prior teaching experience and excellent teaching evaluations.

Adjunct instructor responsibilities include delivery of course content, scheduling office hours and being accessible to students as appropriate, and grading. Each instructor is expected to provide students with a syllabus outlining the course goals, schedule, and all requirements for the course under the direction of the Department Chair.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to public policy and management. The first half examines the evolution and structure of government in the United States and considers how public policy is defined, developed, financed, and evaluated. The second half investigates specific policy areas, including economic, healthcare, welfare, education, and environmental policy. After successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 

• Explain the development of American political and bureaucratic institutions, including the benefits and drawbacks of federalism. 

• Describe, compare, and contrast theories of the public policy process. 

• Articulate and critique how governments fund, implement, and assess public policy. 

• Discuss current and long-standing challenges in economic, healthcare, social welfare, education, and environmental policy. 

• Describe and justify their beliefs regarding the most important policy issues and the prospects for reform. 

Mastery of these objectives is key to achieving the Price School’s mission to prepare students who will “improve the quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad.” 

The hourly rate range for this position is $29.06/hr - $38.89/hr. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy: The mission of the Sol Price School of Public Policy is to improve the quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad. We achieve this mission through education and research that promote innovative solutions to the most critical issues facing society, with a particular focus on governance, urban development, and social policy. The Price School offers Ph.D. programs in Public Policy and Management and Urban Planning; masters’ degrees in Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Health Administration, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and Real Estate Development; executive masters’ degrees; and three undergraduate degrees.  USC is one of the nation’s premier research universities, and the Price School is a major contributor to the university’s reputation. Our school supports an array of thematic research centers with $35 million in active sponsored research, ranking third overall in funded research at USC on a per faculty basis. Much of the school’s research is conducted through its centers, institutes, and research groups.  For additional information, see our website: https://priceschool.usc.edu/

An Equal Opportunity Employer: USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed, and background. The University particularly encourages women, members of underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. 

Apply for this Position: Applicants should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and (if available) one or more sample syllabi and one or more sets of sample teaching evaluations.