2008 May 14
A syllabus
serves to invite students to a course, setting a tone for the teaching and
learning that will take place, informing students of the objectives of the
course, and orienting then with regard to course content, assignments, and
logistics. A syllabus documents expectations for assignments and grade
determination. A syllabus also provides administrative information useful for
students and instructor, such as the course schedule, office hours,
assignments, textbooks, etc. The syllabus should be consistent with the course
description and syllabus provided to the Senate when the course was approved. It should also follow guidelines, if any, of
the department curriculum committee and state any additional requirements the
department may have, based on its academic programs. All instructors are urged to provide a written
syllabus for each of their courses. State law states that departments must
maintain on file a syllabus for each class section for at least six years.
1)
Course
objectives and learning goals. State the objectives and learning goals of the
course; what should students have learned by the end of the course? It may also
be helpful to students to discuss the teaching philosophy and pedagogical
approach used in the course and provide a description of how the course will be
run.
2)
Information
on assignments and due dates. If late assignments will be accepted, this should
be stated, including possible consequences such as lower grades.
3)
The
dates and times of course examinations, including the final, if available. If
there may be unannounced tests, this should be stated. State the policy on
make-up exams.
4)
A
quantitative description of how students will be evaluated. It is important
that expectations about student evaluations be clear. In some cases, this could
be a simple sentence stating the criteria to be used (e.g., midterm exams, term
paper, final exam, and class participation), and the relative weight of each.
In general, attendance may not be
used in evaluating students, except in such cases as studio art and activity
courses, laboratories, and practica, for which
departments or individual instructors may have specific policies. However,
class participation is normally a valid criterion. Students who are absent
cannot contribute to or benefit from class discussions, presentations, and
other activities. The consequences of non-participation should be stated.
5)
Required
textbooks and other materials, as well as recommended texts and materials,
including those held on reserve, and how they may be obtained. If the course is
partially or fully on-line, complete instructions on access and use of
electronic resources should be provided.
6)
A
statement on academic integrity, such as cheating, and plagiarism, describing
what they are and what disciplinary and academic consequences they will have in
the course. Reference might be made to the University’s policy on academic
integrity.
7)
A
schedule of class meeting dates and times and associated readings. Depending on
the nature of the course, the department’s policy, and the instructor’s
judgment, this schedule may be summary or detailed. Changes may of course
occur; these should be communicated frequently to the class. Note any days on
which the schedule is shifted, such as a Wednesday on which classes meet according
to a Tuesday schedule.
8)
Administrative
information, including: College (Queens); Department; Course name, title, and
section number; Classroom building and number; Instructor name and contact
information, including office location and hours, and contact information such
as office phone and email address (and policies regarding email). All full-time
faculty members must schedule and maintain regular office hours during the
semester. Adjunct faculty who are paid the seventh “professional hour” must
also maintain office hours.