Title:Syllabus
Source:Provost’sOffice
Preparedby:AssociateViceChancellor for AcademicAffairs
Approvedby:RoderickNairn
ProvostandViceChancellor for AcademicandStudentAffairs
EffectiveDate:January1,2015
Replaces:July 1, 2014
Applies:DenverCampus
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A. Introduction
Whileasyllabusisanessential component ofgood teaching, student learning,andoutcomes assessment, it isalsoaguideusedintheresolutionofconflictsthat mayarisebetweenstudents and their instructors.Whileafacultymemberhasgreatflexibility in thedesignandcontent ofa syllabusfor acourse,coreinformationshouldbefoundineverysyllabusforcoursesofferedat CU Denver.
B. PolicyStatement
1. All facultymembersmusthaveacurrent syllabus for eachcourseandmustprovidea syllabus tostudentsat thefirst classmeetingof everycourse.Fordetails(including recommendedboilerplatestatements), pleasesee theappendedCU DenverSyllabus Template.
2. Bycensusdateofeachterm,allfacultymembersmustprovide theirDean’sofficewith updatedelectroniccopiesofthesyllabi forall courses theyareteachingthat term.The campusrecordretentionschedule requiressyllabitoberetainedbytheinstructor until nolongerneededfor reference.
CU DenverSyllabusRequirements:
1. CourseOverviewandCourseInformation
a) Campuslocation (Denveror AnschutzMedical Campus)AcademicSchool/College
b) Coursetitle (officialISIStitle), number,prefix,andsectiondesignation. Indicateifthe courseispartof theundergraduatecore. See alistingofall corecourses.
c) Semester/termand year
d) Class meetingday(s) and time(s)
e) Catalogdescriptionandanyadditional informationincluding requisites.
2.BasicInstructor Information
a) Instructor’sname(includingco-instructorsand/or teachingassistants)
b) Instructor'sofficelocation (buildingandroom #)
c) Instructor’scontact Information(phonenumber(s)andemail address(es))
d) Instructor'sofficehoursandstatement ofavailability(for face-to-face, hybridandonlinecourses)
3.CourseGoals/Outcomes
a) Overalllearning objectives
b) Majortopics
c) Rationale (instructor'sstatement relatingcoursecontent to student'sacademicor
professionalgrowth,etc.)
4.Evaluation
a) Requirements(papers,oral reports,projects,quizzes,tests,final exams,etc.), includingpoints,deliverables,andduedates
b) Instructor'sgradingpolicy
c) Instructor'sattendance, participation, andlate-workpolicies. Ifattendanceispart ofa student’sgrade,detailsinwritingaremandatoryaslackofinformationmaybecome thesourceof student complaintsandappeals.
d) Ifthecourseisa “slash” undergraduate/graduatecourse, differingoutcomes, assignmentsrequirements, andevaluationmetricsforgraduate studentsmust bearticulatedtodistinguishthemfrom undergraduateoutcomes,assignments, requirements,andmetrics.
5.SyllabusRevisions
a) Ingeneral,syllabi shouldnot bechangedoncethesemesterbegins,though unforeseencircumstances may leadtochanges.Studentsshouldbenotifiedina timelymanner inwriting(viaemail/Canvas,etc.)ofanychangestothesyllabus.
6.CourseProcedures
a) Materials (requiredaswell as recommendedtexts,equipment,software,and supplies)
b) Coursecalendar/schedule(may includeappropriatelinkstoCU Denveracademic calendar)
c) Course-related(and/orSchool/College-related) policiesandprocedures, (with appropriatelinks) suchasattendance,latework,incompletes,communication, participation, notificationofchanges
d) Research/library-relatedskillsneededforsuccessful completionofcourse.
e) Universitywidepolicies thatarerelevanttothesyllabus:
•Student CodeofConduct
•Accommodations
•AcademicFreedom
•Family Educational RightsandPrivacy Act(FERPAservices/resources/registrar/students/policies/Pages/StudentPrivacy.aspx
•Attendance
•DiscriminationandHarassmentPolicyandProcedures
•GradeAppeal Policy
C. Appendix:SyllabusTemplate
Note: This syllabus template is provided as a model for providing clear expectations for student academic success. This template is designed to help instructors offer students the essential information they need at the onset of the course. A complete and professional syllabus helps to establish a relationship between faculty and students as it sets the tone for the course: communicates when, when and how students will learn; makes clear to students what they need to do in order to be successful; communicates expectations in terms of student responsibilities; and deters misunderstanding about course policies. In addition to the categories provided here, instructors at other institutions have included other optional information (e.g. Educational Opportunity Programs; Title IX/Sexual Harassment; Ombuds Office, etc.).
Course Number: Course Title
Department Name
College Name
University of Colorado Denver
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor Name:
Instructor Office: Instructor Phone:
Instructor Email:
Website: [Instructor and course website]
Office Hours: [Days and times]
Term:
Class Meeting Days:Class Meeting Hours:
Class Location: [Building and room]
Lab Location: [Building and room]
COURSE OVERVIEW
I.Welcome!
Ifdesired, addressyourstudentsdirectlywithastatement ofwelcomeorsomethingthat establishes therelevanceofthecoursetotheir courseofstudyand/orpersonal and professional goals. Thisisanopportunitytoget themexcitedabout thecourse.
II.UniversityCourseCatalogDescription
Pastethedescriptionfrom thecatalogandindicateifthecourseispart ofthe undergraduatecore. See alistingofcorecourses.
III.Course Overview
Shortdescriptionofthe course, including themajor topicsaddressedinthecourse, the rationalefor thosetopics,andrecommendationsforstudent successinthecourse.
IV.Course GoalsandLearningObjectives
What will theyknow,whatwill theybeable todo, whatwill theyvalue,whatwill theycreate as theyprogressthroughthecourse?Thiscanbeunder bullets, listing,outlines,asdetailedasyouwouldlike.Learningobjectivesshouldbespecificrather thangeneral, speakingto skillsandperformancerather thanknowledge:whatwill studentsbeabletodo asaresult ofcompletingthecourse?Learningobjectivesshouldalsobeclearly measurable. Often, learningobjectivesuse thephrasing “bytheendofthiscourse, studentswill beable to…”.
V.CoursePrerequisites
What doyouexpectyour studentstoknowcomingintothiscourse?Includeskills,and coursepre-requisites.
VI.CourseCredits
Listnumber ofcourse credits
VII.RequiredTextsandMaterials
Full textcitationsofall required materials
Guidelinesfor achievingdesiredlevel ofunderstanding
Requiredlibrary/library-accessible resourcescanbedescribedhere;supply links to free/full-text materialsasavailable (consultwithlibrarianifneeded).
VIII. Supplementary(Optional) TextsandMaterials
Full textcitations/onlinelinksofanysupplementarymaterials
IX.CourseSchedule
Thescheduleshouldinclude thesequenceofcoursetopics, thepreparationsor readings, and theassignmentswithduedates. For thereadings,givepagenumbersinadditionto chapter numberstohelpstudentsbudget their time.Examdatesshouldbefirmlyfixed, whiledatesfor topicsandactivities maybelistedas tentative.Notifystudentsinwritingifthesyllabusis revised.
ClassSchedule
Date / Topic / RequiredReading / AssignmentsEVALUATION
X.Assignments
Statethenatureandformat oftheassignmentsand their deadlines. Ifyouareusing examinations,give theexaminationdatesandbriefly indicate thenatureof thetests (multiplechoice,essay, short-answer, take-hometests). Howdo theassignmentsrelate tothelearningobjectivesfor thecourse?Ifyouareusingwrittenassignments, describeyourexpectationsfor writtenwork, including theexpectedlengthandformatting; ifyouuse rubricsfor writtenassignments,indicatewherestudentsmay locatethoseassessment tools. Ifyouareusingprojects, describe yourexpectations;again, ifyouuse rubricsfor writtenassignments, indicatewherestudentsmay locatethoseassessment tools.
XI.Basis forFinalGrade
Providealistingofassessments, pointspossibleforeachassessment, and the percentageweighting.Inaddition to(or eveninlieuof) tests, consider exploring “authentic”assessments, whicharebasedascloselyaspossible toreal worldexperiences.
Assessment / Points Possible / Percent of Final Gradee.g. Essay 1 / 20 / 20%
e.g. Midterm / 15 / 15%
e.g. Group Project / 15 / 15%
e.g. Essay 2 / 30 / 30%
e.g. Final Exam / 20 / 20%
100 / 100%
Insertgradingscalehere.Beclearastowhether thescaleisbasedonpointsorpercentage.
Scale(points or %)94-100 / A
90-93 / A-
87-89 / B+
84-86 / B
80-83 / B-
77-79 / C+
74-76 / C
70-73 / C-
67-69 / D+
64-66 / D
60-63 / D-
0- 59 / F
XII.GradeDissemination
Explainhowstudentswilllearnof theirgradesfromassignmentsandassessments. Examples:
Gradedtestsandassignments inthiscoursewill be returned via theCanvas courseshell.Youcanaccessyourscoresat any timewithin theCanvasgradebook.
Papers, quizzes,andexaminationswill bedistributedinaclasssession. I will announce whenpapers,quizzes,andexaminationswill beavailable tobepickedup,iftheyarenot tobereturnedduringclass. Toensureyourprivacywhenpapers,projects,quizzes,and examinationsarereturnedinclassor madeavailablefor pickup, pleaseprovide mewitha9x12envelopewithyournameoniteachtime yousubmitapaper,quiz,orexaminationto me.
CU Denverutilizeswebgradingwhichisaccessed throughUCDAccess.Allwebgrading informationcanbefoundat
COURSE PROCEDURES
XIII.CoursePolicies: Grades
AttendancePolicy:Offerspecificsaboutyourexpectationsforattendance.Howmany absencesareacceptable/expected?Willstudentsget pointsforattendance?Youmay alsodescribeexpectationofcourtesyhere.For courses inwhichfaculty utilizeparticipation rather thanattendanceaspartofthecoursegrade, thesyllabus shouldclearlycommunicatehowparticipationwill beassessed,howstudentswill be informedoftheirparticipationgrade,howparticipationwill bedocumentedandhowthe participationgradewill becalculatedintothefinalgradefor thecourse.
UC DenverStudent AttendanceandAbsencesPolicy:
LateWorkPolicy:Providespecificsabout yourpolicyonlatework. Example:Therearenomake-upsforin-classwriting,quizzes, themidterm,or thefinal exam. Essays turnedinlatewillbeassessedapenalty: ahalf-letter gradeifitisoneday late,orafull-letter gradefor2-7dayslate.Essayswillnotbeacceptedifoverduebymorethansevendays.
ExtraCredit Policy:Providespecificsaboutyour policyonextracredit. Example:Thereisonlyoneextracreditassignment:Buildingawiki ofcoursecontent (see"coursewiki " belowfordetails). Ifextracreditisgranted, theadditional pointsareadded tothe "First Midterm" portionofthesemestergrade. Youcannot earnhigher than100%onthe "First Midterm" portionofthegrade;anypointsover100%arenotcounted.
Gradesof "Incomplete": Providespecificsaboutyourpolicyonincompletegrades.
Example:
Thecurrent universitypolicyconcerningincompletegradeswill befollowedin this course. Incompletegradesaregivenonly insituationswhereunexpectedemergenciespreventastudent fromcompletingthecourse; students have up to one year (three semesters) to complete course requirements.Yourinstructor isthefinal authorityonwhetheryouqualifyforan incomplete. Incomplete work must befinishedwithin the time allowed or the“I”will automaticallybe recordedasan“F” on yourtranscript.
Rewrite/ResubmitPolicy:Providespecificsaboutyourpolicyon rewrites. Example:Rewritesareentirelyoptional;however,onlytheformal essaymayberewrittenfora revisedgrade. Notethat analternategradingrubricwill beusedfor therewrite, featuringanadditional columnthat evaluates thechangesmadespecifically.
GroupWorkPolicy:Providespecificsaboutyour policyongroupwork. Example:
Everyone must takepartinagroupproject. All membersofagroupwill receive the samescore; that is, theprojectisassessedandeveryone receives thisscore. However, that numberisonly90%ofyourgradefor thisproject.Thefinal 10% isindividual,and referstoyour teamwork. Everypersonin thegroupwill provide theinstructorwitha suggestedgradeforeveryother member ofthegroup,andtheinstructorwill assigna gradethat isinformedbythosesuggestions. Also, everyone must takepart inagroup essay(seeessayassignmentsbelow). Thegradingcriteriaarethesameas thegroup project.Onceformed,groupscannot bealteredorswitched,exceptfor reasonsof extendedhospitalization.
XIV.CoursePolicies:Technologyand Media
Email:Describe yourpolicyforhowemail will beused (official universitycommunication isonlysentviaastudent’suniversityemail address), whowill communicatewithwhom, expected responsetime, will youcheckitonweekends,whoanswerstechnology questions, etc.
Canvas:IfyouuseCanvasforyour course,describehow youwill useitinthecourse, howoften studentsshouldexpect tologin,howteamactivitieswill beorganized,due dates, policiesonlateparticipation, etc.Note: Ifyourcourseusesblogs,wikis, or social networking/mediasitesandcommunities,besuretodescribehow youwill use these resources inthecourseaswell.
LaptopandMobileDeviceUsage: Describeyourpoliciesforusinglaptopsandmobile devices throughout your course.
Classroom Devices:Describeyourpoliciesfor usingcalculators, taperecorders,other audiotechnologydevicesforyour course.
Library-suppliedonlinedatabasesandcollections. Ifyouassignresearchprojects, describeyourexpectationsforstudentstobeable tosuccessfullyuselibraryresources.
Classroom ResponseClickers: Ifyourcourseincludes theuseof student response devices,providespecificsabout theusageandhowtoget started.
XV.CoursePolicies:StudentExpectationsCivility:
Describehow youwantstudentstobehaveand treateachother. Example:My commitmentistocreateaclimateforlearningcharacterizedbyrespectforeachother and thecontributionseachpersonmakestoclass. Iaskthat you makeasimilar commitment.
The Student and Community Counseling Center (located in Tivoli 454)
Consider adding information that conveys a commitment to supporting students that may be feeling overwhelmed or experiencing life stressors that interfere with academic or personal success. The Student and Community Counseling Center is located in Tivoli 454 and provides cost-free and confidential mental health services to help sudents manage personal challenges that impact emotional or academic wellbeing. You can learn more at the Center at by calling 303-556-4372.
CampusAssessment, ResponseEvaluation(CARE)
You maywanttoincludeinformationregarding theCampus Assessment, ResponseEvaluation (CARE) Team, whichwascreatedat theUniversityofColoradoDenverand AnschutzMedical Campuses toaddressthehealthandsafetyneedsof studentsaswell as thecampuscommunity. If you have immediate concern about the behavior or safety of a student at CU Denver, help by making a referral to the campus Assessment, Response & Evaluation (CARE) Team. The CARE team’s purpose is to promote a safe productive learning, living and working environment by addressing the needs of students, faculty, and staff. If you or a classmate are in need of help, please submit a concern at or call 303-352-3579.
Professionalism:Offerspecificsaboutyourpolicyonprofessionalism, Example:Mobile devices must besilencedduringall classroom andlab meetings.Thosenotheedingthis rulewill beaskedtoleave theclassroom/labimmediatelysoastonotdisrupt the learningenvironment.
Electronic Cigarettes (e-cigarettes): The use of e-cigarettes is distracting in the classroom environment not only to the instructor but to other students. The use of e-cigarettes during all classroom activity is prohibited. Any student who does not comply with this rule will be asked to leave the classroom immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Pursuant to the Auraria Campus Smoking Policy, the use of e-cigarettes indoors and within twenty-five (25) feet of any entrance is strictly prohibited.
LateArrivals:Stateyour policyonlatearrivals (andearlydepartures,ifapplicable).If the ramificationsoflatearrivalsinfluencegrades, then thispolicyshouldbeincludedwithyourgradingpolicies.
AurariaLibrary: Ifyouengagestudents in research, consider includingtheuseof the AurariaLibraryservices, researchdatabasesandcollections,andlibrarianexpertiseas oneofyourexpectations. Includenameofspecificlibrariancontactand/or librarysubject expertwebpage
WritingCenter: Ifyouengagestudents inwriting,considerincluding theuseofthe WritingCenter asoneof yourexpectations.
ReligiousObservances: Indicatehow youwantstudentstoinform youofconflicts between thenormalclassscheduleandmajor religiousobservances, andifyouexpect them tonotifyyouinadvanceifthey intendtomissclasstoobserveaholydayoftheir religiousfaith.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
XVI.Access
DisabilityAccess:Offer specificsabout theuniversity’spolicyondisabilityaccess. Example:
TheUniversityofColoradoDenveriscommittedtoproviding reasonableaccommodation andaccesstoprogramsandservices topersons withdisabilities.Studentswith disabilitieswhowantacademicaccommodationsmust register withDisability Resources andServices (DRS) inAcademic Building 1, #2116,Phone: 303-315-3510 ,Fax: 303-315-3515. Iwill behappytoprovideapprovedaccommodations,once youprovide mewithacopyofDRS’sletter. Note: DRS requiresstudents toprovidecurrent andadequatedocumentationof theirdisabilities.OnceastudenthasregisteredwithDRS,DRS will reviewthe documentationandassess the student’srequest foracademicaccommodationsinlight ofthedocumentation. DRS will thenprovide thestudent withaletter indicatingwhich academicaccommodationshavebeenapproved.
XVII.AcademicHonesty
StudentCodeof Conduct: Studentsareexpected toknow,understand, andcomply with theethical standardsoftheuniversity,including rulesagainst plagiarism, cheating, fabricationandfalsification, multiplesubmissions, misuseofacademicmaterials, and complicity inacademicdishonesty. For suggestionsonways toavoidacademic dishonesty,pleaseseetheAcademic HonestyHandbook:
You mayalsowant toincludespecificstatementsregardingplagiarism, cheating,etc. Forexamples:
Plagiarismis theuseof another person’s ideasorwordswithoutacknowledgement.The incorporationofanother person’sworkinto yoursrequiresappropriateidentificationand acknowledgement. Examplesofplagiarism when thesourceisnotnotedinclude: word- for-wordcopyingofanotherperson’sideasorwords; the “mosaic” (interspersingyour ownwordshereandtherewhile,inessence, copyinganother’swork); theparaphrase (therewritingofanother’swork,whilestill usingtheirbasicideasor theories);fabrication (inventingorcounterfeitingsources);submissionofanother’sworkasyourown;and neglectingquotationmarkswhenincludingdirect quotes, evenonmaterial thatis otherwiseacknowledge.
Cheatinginvolves thepossession, communication,oruseofinformation, materials, notes, studyaids,orotherdevicesandrubricsnotspecificallyauthorizedbythecourse instructor inanyacademicexercise,orunauthorizedcommunicationwithanyother personduringanacademicexercise. Examplesofcheatinginclude: copyingfrom another’sworkor receivingunauthorizedassistancefrom another; usingacalculator, computer, or theinternet whenitsusehasbeenprecluded;collaboratingwithanotheror otherswithouttheconsentof theinstructor;submittinganother’sworkasone’sown.
Fabricationinvolvesinventingor counterfeitinginformation—creatingresultsnotproperly obtained throughstudyorlaboratoryexperiment.Falsificationinvolvesdeliberate alterationor changingof resultstosuitone’sneedsinanexperimentor academic exercise.
Multiplesubmissionsinvolvessubmittingacademicworkinacurrentcoursewhen academiccreditfor theworkwaspreviouslyearnedinanothercourse,whensuch submissionismadewithout thecurrent courseinstructor’sauthorization.
Misuseofacademicmaterialsincludes: theft/destructionoflibraryor reference materials orcomputerprograms; theft/destructionofanotherstudent’snotesormaterials; unauthorizedpossessionofanotherstudent’snotesor materials; theft/destructionof examinations,papers, or assignments; unauthorizedassistanceinlocating/using sources of information when forbiddenor not authorizedbythe instructor; unauthorized possession,disposition, oruseofexaminationsoranswer keys; unauthorizedalteration,forgery, fabrication, orfalsificationofacademicrecords; unauthorizedsaleor purchase ofexaminations, papers, or assignments.
UC Denver has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps detect plagiarism by comparing student papers with Turnitin’s database and Internet sources. Students who take this course agree that all required papers may be submitted to Turnitin. While students retain copyright of their original course work, papers submitted to Turnitin become part of the Turnitin’s reference database for the purposes of detecting plagiarism.
Complicity inacademicdishonesty involvesknowinglycontributing toorcooperatingwith another’sact(s) ofacademicdishonesty.
XVIII.Important DatestoRemember
AcademicCalendar:Providealinktotheuniversity’scurrent Academic Calendarso studentscantrack thedeadlinesfor withdrawing from thecourseandsoon.
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