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Syllabus Content Guidelines

by Wallin,Sarah Ice — last modified Jul 07, 2011 02:10 PM

The following list contains the suggested guidelines concerning syllabus content for the University of Louisville. After a review of the current literature and best practices for syllabus content and design, the following guidelines are offered as a resource for faculty. It is important to note that many colleges as well as departments/units of the university have established specific requirements pertaining to syllabi for their courses. Please check with the head of your academic unit for specific syllabus requirements.

 

This resource has been arranged to provide specific content suggestions for syllabi. The information provided is grouped into the following categories:

 

Course Information Instructor Information Assignments Course Schedule Course-Specific Policies University Guidelines and Policies Helpful Information

 

At a minimum, this resource provides a basic outline of information to include in a syllabus. Faculty are encouraged to go beyond these minimum suggestions in order to create a learning-centered syllabus for students. This resource provides suggested recommendations and enhancements to meet this goal.

 

CORE ELEMENTS
refers to the basic elements suggested for syllabi
RECOMMENDATIONS
refers to elements that help to improve upon a basic syllabus
ENHANCEMENTS
refers to elements that go above and beyond   

Course Information

CORE ELEMENTS:

  • Course Name
  • Course Number
  • Credit Hours
  • Term/Year
  • Location and Times
  • Catalog Description
  • Text(s) and Materials and relevant instructions for access
  • Prerequisites
  • Course Goals and Objectives

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Student Learning Outcomes
  • Teaching Methods
  • Course Organization
  • Technology Expectations
    • Format of Written Assignments
    • Email Communication from Instructor

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Instructor Information

CORE ELEMENTS:

  • Full Name
  • Preferred Phone Contact
  • Campus Email Address
  • Office Location
  • Office Hours
  • Roles of GTAs [if relevant]
  • GTA Contact Info [if relevant]

FOR ONLINE COURSES:

  • Hours Available by Phone, Chat, etc.

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Assignments

CORE ELEMENTS:

  • Purpose and Description of Assignments, including:
    • Evaluation Criteria/Rubric
    • Due Dates
    • Exam Dates

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Course Schedule

CORE ELEMENTS:

  • Weekly Schedule of Class Topics and Assignments

FOR ONLINE COURSES:

  • Getting Started
  • Organization of Online Classroom

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Course-Specific Policies

CORE ELEMENTS:

  • Attendance/Absence
  • Grading (System and Scale)
  • Make Up Exams and Assignments
  • Late/Missing Assignments

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Statement on Student Privacy Rights
  • Classroom Conduct
  • Extra Credit

ENHANCEMENTS:

  • Statement Explaining Available Out of Class Assistance

FOR ONLINE COURSES:

  • Detailed Instructions for Submitting Assignments

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University Guidelines and Policies

 

The links contained within the University Guidelines and Policies section of this page provide a listing of sample statements an instructor can include in their syllabi.

 

CORE ELEMENTS:

RECOMMENDATIONS:

FOR ONLINE COURSES:

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Helpful Information

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

ENHANCEMENTS:

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