Critical Thinking, Ethics and Philosophy Faculty
Description
AMDA College of the Performing Arts, with campuses in New York City and Hollywood, is one of the foremost post-secondary performing arts colleges in the country. AMDA offers various pathways for students to receive unparalleled performing arts education taught by world-class industry professionals, including Professional Conservatory Certificates as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Occupational Studies, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts).
Course Focus: Ethics or Critical Thinking for the Professional Artist
These specialized courses are tailored to support emerging performing artists in understanding and navigating the moral, social, and intellectual challenges unique to creative professions. Rooted in classical and contemporary ethical theory, the curriculum addresses both foundational concepts and applied dilemmas, helping students build frameworks for ethical reasoning within their artistic and professional lives. These courses foster students’ ability to assess and act with integrity in creative and professional context.
Ethics topics are contextualized for relevance to the performing arts, with guiding questions such as:
- Safety and fairness in production environments – exploring ethical labor practices, respect for boundaries, and the equitable treatment of cast and crew.
- Sexual harassment and abuse in power-imbalanced situations – analyzing consent, coercion, and institutional responsibilities within hierarchical structures.
- Cultural appropriation and the politics and ethics of representation – examining identity, authenticity, and who gets to tell whose stories.
- Authenticity vs. performativity in digital self-representation – addressing how personal branding and social media influence ethical decision-making.
- Creative ownership and intellectual property – debating the ethics of borrowing, homage, and originality in an interconnected media landscape.
- Moral responsibilities in storytelling – weighing the impact of narratives on public discourse, stereotypes, and community representation.
- Artistic freedom vs. social accountability – evaluating boundaries and obligations when controversial or provocative material is produced.
Students engage with core philosophical traditions
- Classical Utilitarianism – weighing consequences and the greatest good in performance-related decision-making
- Kantian Ethics – examining duties, intentions, and the moral worth of actions within the artistic process
- Social Contract Theory – exploring the responsibilities of artists as public figures in a shared cultural space
- Additionally, students explore critical perspectives that challenge the dominant ethical paradigms, such as:
- Feminist Ethics – interrogating power, care, and marginalization in both artistic production and representation
- Critiquing the Tradition of Ethical Thought – identifying limitations in classical frameworks and expanding toward more inclusive and contextual moral reasoning
Critical Thinking components
- Construct logical arguments and recognize fallacies
- Analyze moral dilemmas from multiple philosophical perspectives
- Discern between subjective experience and objective reasoning
- Engage in respectful disagreement and productive dialogue
These courses empower artists not only to create compelling work, but to do so with a deep sense of ethical clarity, social awareness, and intellectual courage.
Primary Responsibilities:
Adjunct faculty members in Ethics, Critical Thinking, and Philosophy at AMDA are expected to bring strong academic experience, a commitment to excellence in teaching, and the ability to integrate their expertise into a performing arts context. Faculty should be passionate about supporting student success through critical inquiry, ethical reflection, and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Core Responsibilities Include:
- Delivering instruction in alignment with approved curricula, course outlines, and class schedules
- Creating and sustaining a classroom environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, open discussion, and critical thinking
- Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into course content, pedagogy, and classroom engagement
- Designing assignments that are challenging, relevant, and support academic growth
- Providing thoughtful, timely assessment of student work and academic progress
- Maintaining up-to-date expertise in the subject matter and pedagogical best practices
- Adhering to high standards of professional conduct, ethical teaching, and academic integrity
- Maintaining accurate records of student attendance, grades, and course outcomes
- Participating in departmental responsibilities and professional development as appropriate
- Fulfilling the expectations of a part-time adjunct faculty member, including attending meetings or training sessions as assigned
Qualifications:
- A terminal degree (Ph.D., D.Phil., etc.) in Philosophy, Ethics, or a closely related field
OR - A master’s degree in Ethics, Philosophy, or a closely related discipline with significant higher education teaching experience
- Minimum of three years of college-level teaching experience in Ethics, Philosophy, or Critical Thinking
- Demonstrated currency and depth of knowledge in the discipline, with ability to relate concepts to professional and creative practice
- Experience with student-centered and inclusive teaching methodologies, such as active learning, case studies, and reflective dialogue
- Facility with instructional technologies and online learning platforms (e.g., Canvas)
- Proven ability to engage, inspire, and challenge diverse learners, including performing artists
- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
- Evidence of ongoing scholarly engagement or creative activity in the field.
Position Information:
- The pay range for this position is $45 - $60 per hour for classroom teaching
- For administrative and tasks assigned or volunteered outside of classroom teaching hours will be paid at a standard hourly rate of $35.
- This position is subject to a background check upon a conditional offer of employment and a reference check.
Diversity and Qualifications:
AMDA is fully committed to diversity, inclusivity, and equity throughout the teaching and learning process. We encourage applications from individuals who have extensive experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Successful candidates will have a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of our students, including disabilities that may affect students' development and learning styles.
Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will have a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of our students, including disabilities that may affect students' development and learning styles.
Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
AMDA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in which no person is subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, supervision, promotion, working conditions, termination, layoff, demotion, transfer, compensation, and training.