Syllabus construction with an eye toward student success
We all know that a complete and informative syllabus can help set a productive tone for the course. It also can help minimize potential headaches for you and your students, as well as your department chair and your Dean (as in, with student grievances or academic misconduct issues). The Faculty Handbook (Information Given Class at First Meeting, 3.01.H.1) and a white paper by Pew FTLC are two great resources for syllabus construction. A recent white paper by FTLC may be found here:
http://www.gvsu.edu/ftlc/syllabus-design-85.htm
As presented in the Faculty Handbook, a complete syllabus includes essential information, such as prerequisites, instructor’s contact information and office hours, and required texts/materials.
Students also appreciate supplemental information, such as a (tentative) outline of topics, an exam/assignment schedule, and special class procedures (e.g., Blackboard).
Finally, the aforementioned FTLC white paper also gives examples of important policy statements that a complete syllabus should include. Many of these appear below, but the following list includes two that are NEW as of Fall 2015 or Winter 2016:
- Policy with regard to student absences
- Disabilities Support Resources statement (reminding students that they bear the responsibility to register with DSR for test accommodations and to notify their instructors for the need of such accommodations)
- Academic integrity/plagiarism policy statement (examples can be found at: http://www.gvsu.edu/clas/academic-integrity-294.htm )
- Pertinent General Education or Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) information
- NEW as of Fall 2015: Fire/emergency statement. (Example: “Fire: Immediately proceed to the nearest exit during a fire alarm. Do not use elevators.”) For more details, see 8/20/15 email by Sgt. William O’Donnell, GVSU Police Dept., concerning state legislation on fire safety requirements at all Michigan universities.
- NEW as of Winter 2016: Appropriate use of email and computing (see CLAS weekly mailing from 10/27/15 for details of recent policy changes)
- Other “netiquette” expectations—use of personal devices during class, email etiquette, etc.
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that the university establish a policy and adopt and enforce procedures to protect the confidentiality, accuracy, and privacy of the information it collects on its students. The information collected on students may only be viewed by those individuals who have a legitimate “business” need to use the data as determined by the university’s FERPA officer. The responsible officer at Grand Valley is the Registrar.
Federal Law: Confidentiality of Student Work
Please safeguard student work. Boxes, folders or any other receptacle for collection and/or distribution of student work may NOT be placed in hallways. While it seems efficient to place graded student work in the halls, this practice breaches confidentiality procedures outlined in Federal Law (FERPA). All student work should be collected or returned in a manner that ensures confidentiality and reduces the likelihood of student work falling into inappropriate hands which could lead to plagiarism.
Some Great Campus Resources You Can Access
Keeping Up with the News about Liberal Education
Interested in keeping track of news stories about how issues related to liberal education and inclusive excellence are playing out in higher education across the United States? Consider signing up for the AAC&U’s "Weekly Liberal Education News Watch,” a roundup of the week’s stories. Dec. 9 ENG 495 Capstone Conference; for more info contact Kurt Bullock
Dec. 12-17 Exam Week and Semester Ends
Dec. 20 Grades due in Banner before noon
Banner and Blackboard close at this time
Dec. 22 Offices close at 5pm until Tuesday, Jan. 3
