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What does a philosophy instructor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Jason Murphy Ph.D.
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Philosophy instructor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real philosophy instructor resumes:

  • Develop lesson plans, teach mechanics and creativity in writing, teach reading, math and manage resource room as needed.
  • Provide syllabus that outline the curriculum for each semester.
  • Initiate research and development of grant proposals to garner more funds for young adult fiction.
  • Serve as theory instructor for medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology for junior students and leadership and management nursing for senior students.
  • Serve as theory instructor for medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology for junior students and leadership and management nursing for senior students.

Philosophy instructor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 30% of Philosophy Instructors are proficient in Course Content, Student Performance, and Syllabus. They’re also known for soft skills such as Critical-thinking skills, Interpersonal skills, and Speaking skills.

We break down the percentage of Philosophy Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Course Content, 30%

    Utilized Blackboard content management system in the implementation, distribution, and evaluation of course content for Visual Communications Technology classes.

  • Student Performance, 20%

    Conducted conference/demonstration/practical exercises, administers written/practical examinations; evaluated student performance

  • Syllabus, 18%

    Created and administered quiz and examination questions that were based upon performance objectives identified in the syllabus and their expected outcomes.

  • Literature, 13%

    Analyzed current English radio programs and supervised concept development and production of new programs targeting young audiences utilizing contemporary literature.

  • Blackboard, 8%

    Integrated technology such as Blackboard, Wordpress, Twitter, and SMART board to support learning.

  • Class Discussions, 3%

    Lectured and led class discussion on constructing effective academic arguments.

"course content," "student performance," and "syllabus" are among the most common skills that philosophy instructors use at work. You can find even more philosophy instructor responsibilities below, including:

Critical-thinking skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a philosophy instructor to have is critical-thinking skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "to conduct original research and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need to analyze information logically." Philosophy instructors often use critical-thinking skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "increased student competence in research, documentation, critical-thinking, and reading strategies. "

Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling philosophy instructor duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." According to a philosophy instructor resume, here's how philosophy instructors can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "developed course materials and student performance evaluation methods for undergraduate courses in: interpersonal communication, communication research methods. "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of philosophy instructors is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday philosophy instructor duties, as "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "designed english language speaking and listening courses instructed international students from beginning levels to advanced levels"

Writing skills. For certain philosophy instructor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a philosophy instructor rely on this skill, as "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what philosophy instructors do: "instructed courses in composition and writing freshman composition freshman composition ii. "

Most common philosophy instructor skills

The three companies that hire the most philosophy instructors are:

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Compare different philosophy instructors

Philosophy instructor vs. Religion teacher

If we compare the average philosophy instructor annual salary with that of a religion teacher, we find that religion teachers typically earn a $7,660 lower salary than philosophy instructors make annually.Even though philosophy instructors and religion teachers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require student performance, syllabus, and literature in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, philosophy instructor responsibilities require skills like "course content," "blackboard," "class discussions," and "courses taught." Meanwhile a typical religion teacher has skills in areas such as "classroom management," "art curriculum," "freshman," and "ministry." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Religion teachers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $46,548. Comparatively, philosophy instructors tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $48,913.The education levels that religion teachers earn slightly differ from philosophy instructors. In particular, religion teachers are 15.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a philosophy instructor. Additionally, they're 13.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Philosophy instructor vs. Associate professor of religious studies

A career as a associate professor of religious studies brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a philosophy instructor. In fact, associate professors of religious studies salary is $11,314 higher than the salary of philosophy instructors per year.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, philosophy instructor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "course content," "student performance," "syllabus," and "blackboard." Meanwhile, an associate professor of religious studies has duties that require skills in areas such as "religious studies," "undergraduate teaching," "world history," and "philosophy." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Associate professors of religious studies tend to reach lower levels of education than philosophy instructors. In fact, they're 38.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for philosophy instructors in the next 3-5 years?

Jason Murphy Ph.D.Jason Murphy Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Philosophy, Elms College

Once it is safe, the essential technology will be the face-to-face classroom. One needs to be good at maximizing the opportunities there. Another technique is beneficial, but you, as a professor, are not as necessary in digital space. Your on-line lecture could be replaced by a link to a more celebrated professor's class. I make all of my internet-based work analogous to "old-fashioned" assignments.

There is a lot of internet-based "philosophy" that is utter garbage. You have to look out for this. We need to address this with our students without seeming ideologically dismissive.

Philosophy instructor vs. Pastoral ministries professor

An average pastoral ministries professor eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of philosophy instructors. The difference in salaries amounts to pastoral ministries professors earning a $36,108 lower average salary than philosophy instructors.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a philosophy instructor is likely to be skilled in "course content," "student performance," "syllabus," and "literature," while a typical pastoral ministries professor is skilled in "pastoral ministry," "community development," "jan," and "freshman."

Pastoral ministries professors typically earn lower educational levels compared to philosophy instructors. Specifically, they're 26.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Philosophy instructor vs. Theology teacher

Theology teachers tend to earn a lower pay than philosophy instructors by an average of $27,291 per year.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A philosophy instructor uses "syllabus," "literature," "blackboard," and "class discussions." Theology teachers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "freshman," "classroom environment," "religious studies," and "social justice. "The average resume of theology teachers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to philosophy instructors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 7.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 11.9%.

Types of philosophy instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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