Syllabus Components

 

What You Might Include in Your Syllabi

 


Basic Identifying Information

¨     Course title and number, section number, crn, number of units

¨     Term (e.g., Fall 2001)

¨     Meeting time and location

¨     Your name, office address, telephone number, fax number, email address

¨     URLs for course and faculty member

¨     Your office hours

¨     Teaching assistant and hours

 

Prerequisites

¨     Prerequisite courses, knowledge, skills, etc.

¨     Suggestions for refreshing knowledge, skills, etc.

 

Course Purpose and Objectives

¨     Overview of course purpose

¨     Explanation of what course is about and why students would want to learn the material

¨     List of studnet learning goals or objectives

¨     Ties to program learning goals or objectives

 

Course Structure

¨     Conceptual structure used to organize the course

¨     Format of activities for the course

¨     Readings and Web assignments

¨     Projects, papers, exams, etc.

¨     Nature and format of assignments, expected lengths, deadlines

¨     Nature of tests

¨     Relationship of assignments to learning objectives

¨     Expectations for written work (e.g., style, length, word processing requirements, etc.)

¨     Role of technology in the course

 

 

Required Purchases

¨     Texts/Workbooks/ and supplies (required/optional/suggested)

Where they can be purchased

 

Grading Procedures

¨     Grading components and weights

¨     Grading criteria

¨     Extra credit policy

¨     Exam dates and coverage

 

Other Course Policies

¨     Attendance

¨     Late work

¨     Missing homework

¨     Test make-ups

¨     Requesting extensions

¨     Reporting illnesses

¨     Academic honesty: cheating and plagiarism [see college catalog or schedule of classes]

¨     Student and faculty responsibilities in the learning process

¨     Accommodations for physical or learning disabilities

¨     Classroom civility guidelines

 

Course Calendar

¨     Topics

¨     Readings

¨     Assignment deadlines

¨     Important drop dates

 

Supplementary Information

¨     Estimated student workload

¨     Study hints or guides

¨     Glossary

¨     References, recommended readings or URLs, library materials on reserve

¨     Campus resources (e.g., tutors)

¨     Handouts, lecture outlines, etc.

 



Campus Expectations for Syllabi

The University Handbook (Section 303.1) states that:

 

Faculty members shall provide a course syllabus to students in each of their

classes which, in addition to standard information (e.g., instructor name, course

name, date, etc.) contains at least the following information:

a)    course objectives

b)    assignment and exam due dates

c)    grading policy

d)    campus policy on academic dishonesty

e)    other - in accordance with departmental guidelines.

 

 

CSUB Catalog and Class Schedule Information

Academic Freedom. Page 53 of the 1999-2001 Catalog or page 47 of the Fall schedule.

Academic Honesty. Page 53 of the 1999-2001 Catalog or page 47 of the Fall schedule.

Classroom Conduct. Page 53 of the 1999-2001 Catalog or page 47 of the Fall schedule.

Nondiscrimination Policy. Pages 76-77 of the 1999-2001 Catalogy or page 47 of the Fall schedule.

Academic Calendar. Page 5 of the Fall Schedule (Note last day to withdraw without a “W”; last day to withdraw for serious and compelling reason; holidays; SOCI week; last day of classes; and final exam day.

Final Exam Schedule. Page 97 of the Fall schedule. Use this to determine your official final exam day and time.

 

 

 

Your syllabus is a university commitment to students to teach the course according to the guidelines you set. It also is a reflection of you, your teaching philosophy, and your attitudes towards students—take time to make it an accurate reflection.