Syllabus Checklist

Requirements

The following list is based upon the University of Minnesota Faculty Senate Classroom Expectations Guidelines.

Does your syllabus contain the following?

Course title
Course designator
Course number
Number of credits
Day, time, and place of class meetings
Instructor's name
Office location
Office hours
At least one method of contacting you (phone, email, fax)
A brief description of the course
Required and recommended materials and the location of the materials
Course goals, objectives, and expectations
Course prerequisites
Schedule of assignments, papers, projects, etc.
Criteria for grading and grading standards (including the U of MN definition of grades)
Make-up exam policy
Senate student academic workload policy
Statement on accommodations for students with disabilities
Statement on classroom conduct
Statement on academic misconduct
Statement regarding sexual harassment
Statement on penalties for late work

Would your students benefit from any of the following?

Statement which encourages students to see you outside of class.
Description of what the class will be like, including a description of and rationale for your teaching methods.
Clear guidelines detailing how students are to prepare for and behave during a class session. (e.g. read the assignments BEFORE class, come on time, participate in discussion, etc.)
Statement describing what students can expect from you
Description of special procedures or rules for this class (e.g., laboratory rules and procedures)
Advice on how to read/approach the materials for this class
Advice on how to study for quizzes and exams
Specific criteria for each graded assignment
Statement on incomplete coursework
Statement telling students how to dispute a grade for an assignment or exam
Statement regarding extra credit
Statement regarding exam re-takes and/or coursework resubmission
Information on special services or resources which might be helpful to the students
Other information which would help students succeed in this class