Syllabus Structure
University Policy
University Policy 3.3.12 section 5 governs syllabi:
“Faculty should provide students access to a written syllabus (printed or electronic) in a timely fashion, normally on the first day of class, for each course that they teach. The syllabus should include specific course information, office hours and location (or other means of faculty availability appropriate to the teaching assignment), objectives of the course, tentative assignment and examination schedule, attendance and other course policies. Faculty members should clearly explain to their students methods of evaluation for the final grade. Faculty should reasonably adhere to the course syllabus and should announce and explain to the class all changes to the syllabus as far in advance as possible.”
Standard Language
All syllabi should contain the sentence, “Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu.”
Standard Format
The University Curriculum Committee recommends the following format that is consonant with the Illinois
Articulation Initiative submission format and Illinois State policy:
- Department/School prefix, course number, course title, semester hours credit
- Contact hours, including any laboratory or studio hours
- Office hours and location
- Prerequisites and other notations such as Materials Fees
- Catalog description
- Course overview
- Specific student outcomes as a result of course participation (including General Education outcomes when appropriate)
- Topical outline and tentative schedule
- Required and optional texts
- Required student tasks/assignments, such as papers, projects, or community experiences
- Student performance evaluation methods, including grading scale
- Attendance and other course policies
Class Attendance
University Policy 2.1.20: Equitable Treatment of Students Participating in University Sponsored Activities and Policy 2.1.26 Student Absences Due to Service as a Volunteer Emergency Worker govern classroom attendance as well as the following statement in the Undergraduate Catalog:
“The attendance regulation of the University is based on two principles. First, students are expected to attend class regularly; and second, students are primarily responsible to the instructor in matters pertaining to class attendance. Every student will be held responsible for class attendance and successful completion of academic work. Attendance regulations are intended to encourage student maturity and are based on the assumption that academic success is the student’s primary goal in college.
Illinois State University deeply values and supports the required participation of students in Sanctioned University Activities. Instructors will provide such students with reasonable accommodations for completing missed exams, quizzes, and the like. The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs will determine Sanctioned University Activities. It is the responsibility of the student to:
- inform instructors of scheduled absences in advance,
- where possible and as soon as possible, provide a schedule of all semester absences, and
- arrange to complete missed classroom work. Ultimately, students are responsible for material covered in class. In the event of disagreement regarding this policy, the issue will be directed to the appropriate Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for arbitration.
The University will accommodate, within reason, students whose religious obligations require absence from class. Students who are unable to attend class or take examinations for religious reasons should consult their instructors in advance about alternative arrangements.”