SYLLABI GUIDELINES for KODIAK COLLEGE COURSES

SYLLABI GUIDELINES

for

KODIAK COLLEGE COURSES

During the first week of class, instructors will distribute a syllabus in each course they teach. Although modifications may be made throughout the semester, this document should contain the following essential information (as applicable to the discipline):

__. Course information: title, number, credits, prerequisites, location, meeting time, etc.

__. Instructor information (including teaching assistant, if applicable): name, title, office location, office hours, telephone number, email address.

__. Course readings and materials: course textbook, author, publisher; supplementary readings (indicate whether required or recommended); and any necessary supplies (including software, hardware, plugins, readers/players, etc.).

__. Course description: content of the course and how it fits into the broader curriculum; expected proficiencies required to undertake the course, if applicable. May include, and must be consistent with, catalog course description.

__. Course goals (more general) and student learning outcomes (provide specific examples).

__. Instructional methods: describe the teaching techniques (e.g., lecture, seminar, service learning, case study, studio instruction, private instruction, small group discussion, values clarification, games, journal writing, use of Blackboard, audio/video conferencing, etc.)

__. Course calendar: a schedule with daily or weekly major topics and assignments. You may call the outline “tentative” to allow for modifications during the semester.

__. Course policies: specify course rules, including your policies on attendance, tardiness, class participation, make-up exams, plagiarism, and academic integrity.

__. Evaluation: specify how students will be evaluated, what factors will be included, their relative value, and how they will be tabulated into grades.

__. Support Services: describe the student support services appropriate for the course. Provide contact info for students with disabilities to obtain reasonable accommodation.

Additional elements to consider for syllabi:

__. Evaluation criteria: what constitutes grades of A, B, C, etc.

__. Academic integrity: cite Student Code of Conduct; define plagiarism and penalties for committing its offense

__. Identify a thesis for the course and illustrate how assignments support the thesis.

__. Attach business card to syllabus.

__. Provide checklist for attainment of specific learning outcomes.

__. Mention expected time requirements for success in course.

__. Provide list of expectations for both students and instructor.

__. Indicate preferred method of communicating with professor.

__. Statement of the importance of the syllabus and the necessity to bring it to class (e.g., to keep track of revisions, assignments, etc.).

__. Spell out your cell phone / texting / laptop policy.

__. Thoroughly proofread your syllabus and model / pattern the type of quality work you expect from students.

__. Tie specific assignments to student learning outcomes.

__. Mention the possibility of losing financial aid in case of dropping course.

__. If you require students to attend an event outside of the course’s regularly scheduled time period (e.g., taking in a play or even taking exams in the Testing Center), you should make that very clear in your syllabus.

__. Identify availability of Learning Center, library assistance, and other student support services (with hours of operation).

__. Include syllabus as reading assignment on course schedule.

__. Post your syllabi on T or L drive (or provide Faculty Assistant with e-copy to do so).