The Syllabus

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The Syllabus

• Guidelines for Preparation

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The majority of student complaints and formal
grievances can be avoided with a well-planned
syllabus.
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Functions of the Syllabus

• Communicates course goals and performance
  expectations
• Provides an orientation to the course
• Provides written documentation of policies
• Provides written guidance to assignments,
  grading, requirements, etc.
• Reduces student (and instructor) anxiety

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Basic Syllabus Content

• Course Name
• Course Prefix, Number and Section
• Semester and Year
• Time and Meeting Days
• Room and Building
• Prerequisites and or co-requisites catalog
  description of the course
• Contact hours per week number of lectures,
  labs, individualized instruction, conferences,
  clinics, field placements, co-op hours, etc.

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Instructor Information

• Name
• Rank and Title
• Office (Room and Building)
• Office Phone Number, FAX
• Home Phone Number (optional add restrictions
  such as no calls after 10 PM)
• Office Hours - indicate if appointments necessary
  (generally a minimum of 5 hours per week)
• Email Address, Website URL
• Instructors Educational Philosophy

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Specific Course Information

• Text(s) - specify author, edition, publisher
• Other required materials
• Pre-requisites or special skills/knowledge
  required
• Recommended text(s) or materials (not required)
• Reserved library reference materials

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Course Description

• Catalog Description (expanded)
• Explain why we study this area of knowledge

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Course Goals Objectives

• Instructional Goals and Objectives
• Student Goals and Objectives
• Expected characteristics, qualities,
  competencies, abilities mastered at end of course
• How does the course fit into the overall
  discipline or general education requirement
• What is the value of the course to the student

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• What are the benefits and practical applications
  of this course
• Why is the course content arranged as such
• Is the course primarily lecture, lab, discussion,
  group work, etc.

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General University Policies

• Class Attendance (1000/2000 level courses)
• Inclement Weather
• Students with Disabilities or Special Needs
• Plagiarism
• Cheating

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Specific Instructor Policies

• Missed or late assignments
• Exam make-ups (extenuating circumstances defined)
• Class attendance and tardiness
• Cell phones and other electronic devices
• Eating/beverages
• Classroom behavior
• Other policies

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Course Calendar

• Topics and sequence to be covered (with dates
  preferred)
• Due dates for reading assignments, projects,
  exams, etc.
• Important university dates - final exam date for
  your course, last day to drop course or withdraw
  from university

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Course Requirementsand Grading

• Grading standards, weight, criteria/ rubric for
  each graded component to be used in the final
  grade (state scale, number of points, etc.)
• Description of each course assignment and project
  (format, typed, grammar, spelling, due date,
  approximate length, research -library, internet,
  etc.)

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• Purpose of each assignment/project
• Testing Style - multiple choice, essay, short
  answer, T-F, combination
• Do tests evaluate memory, understanding, critical
  thinking/synthesis, vocabulary

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• Attendance and Participation grades (state how
  you define and measure participation)
• Extra Credit
• Dropping of exams or quizzes
• Unannounced quizzes
• It is important to spell out exactly how the
  final grade will be derived

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Miscellaneous Information

• Leave space for students to record the names,
  phone numbers and e-mail addresses of at least
  two classmates
• Provide any helpful hints on studying, note
  taking or how to be successful in your class

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• Bibliography or list of supplemental readings
• List of on-line resources
• List of campus resources for academic support,
  tutoring, personal counseling

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Important Dates Fall 2007

• Last day to add a course - Aug. 24
• Labor Day Holiday - Sept. 3
• 11th Class Day Sept. 4 (WN grading period TBA)
• Last day to drop a Session I course Sept. 25
• Mid-Semester Exams Oct. 2-8, Grades due Oct. 10
  at 12 noon
• Session II Classes begin Oct. 9

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Dates Cont.

• Last day to drop all other courses or withdraw
  from the university Nov. 16
• Thanksgiving Holiday/Fall Break - Nov. 19-24
• Study Day - Dec. 4
• Finals Week - Dec. 5-11
• Graduating Senior Grades due Dec. 12 at 10 pm
• All other grades due Dec. 13 at 10 pm