Constructing a Syllabus
Guidelines for Constructing the Course Syllabus
The syllabus states the professor’s policies and expectations for the course and the student. Therefore, both the professor and the students are expected to abide by its contents. If a student problem or grievance occurs, the course syllabus is used to resolve the issue. Deviations from the course syllabus may result in complaints, grievances, or lawsuits. If circumstances warrant an adjustment to your syllabus, you must put the changes in writing and notify both the students and the program office.
The course syllabus is designed to inform students of your contact information, course objectives, course completion requirements, evaluation rationale, and policies. While much of the information required for this handout appears on the standard course outline, your syllabus is a more individual expression of your plans, policies, and expectations for the course. You are required to distribute the syllabus to each of your students at the initial class meeting each semester.
Be sure to include all information related to these topics:
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College and division names
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Course name, prefix, number, and credit hours
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Professor information (name, office location, campus extension and email)
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Office/conference hours
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Meeting times and location
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Prerequisites and /or Corequisites
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Required course materials (textbooks, supplemental materials, supplies, etc.)
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Course description and objectives (verbatim from course outline)
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Course policies (attendance, participation, late assignments, makeup policy, etc.)
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Methods of evaluation and grading scale
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Link or URL to the Student Handbookfor topics such as Student Code of Conduct – 319.01; Social networking guidelines at JCCC: College Now; College Emergency Response Plan ; Grading System – 314.04; Academic Policies – 314.00
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ADA compliance statement or Accessibility
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Caveats, if applicable to the course (e.g. safety guidelines, expectation of computer literacy, need of transportation to a clinical setting, minimum grade requirements specific to program or sequence of courses)
Aspects of grading
An important component of your syllabus is the section on methods of evaluation and grading scale. Your grading policy must comply with the minimum percentage of evaluation requirements specified for that course on the standard course outline. These requirements are set by the program, approved by the Educational Affairs Committee, and intended to ensure a level of competence in every section of that course. You are obligated to build these requirements into your methods of evaluation and grading scale section.
Include projects, tests, assignments, and other items that will be required in the course. Indicate all components that will be considered in the determination of the final grade. Show point values, percentages, or calculations reflecting your grading practice.
Another item to consider is your make-up policy for missed exams or assignments. Make clear your policy on make-ups, i.e., whether they will be allowed, under what circumstances, and within what time period. This is a common source of friction between students and professors; the faculty who are precise and consistent with a make-up policy have the most success in keeping problems to a minimum. The college has a Testing Services Center where make-up exams can be monitored.
Instructor Initiated Withdrawal
If participating in Instructor Initiated Withdrawal, you must include the required policy and procedures statement and the specifics of your implementation.
Office hours
As prescribed in the Master Agreement, all full-time teaching faculty will maintain a minimum of five (5) conference hours per week on campus and/or online at a time convenient to students, or additional conference hours as needed to meet their professional responsibilities to students.
Textbooks
The syllabus should indicate whether the textbook/supplies are required, recommended, or optional. Required materials must be integrated into the instructional process. Textbook options to consider include direct purchase (either new or used), bookstore rental, copies placed on reserve at the Billington Library, and online offerings.
In addition to the syllabus, instructors must provide the tentative course schedule.
Other items to consider are:
Link to the official course outline to the Catalog of Courses
Student support services Student Success Center
Student Learning Outcomes
Nondiscrimination Policy