Sample Syllabus
Fall Semester 200X

Course Title:
Instructor: Mr. /Mrs. /Ms/Dr. _______ Formal Title__________________
Office Hours (list all times available)
Phone:
Home ___________________
Office _________________________________
E-mail_________________________________
Textbook Name and Author: __________________________________
Other required materials: __________________________________

Course Objectives--At the end of this course:

Sample Language

1. Students will be able to explain in ………………………….
2. Students will be able to explain in writing the specific …………………
3. Students will be able to fully discuss the ………………………..
4. Students will be able to demonstrate …………………………..
5. Students will be able to explain clearly in writing ……………….
6. Students will be able to give examples that demonstrate a full understanding of ………..
7. Students will demonstrate by a class presentation their ability to use …………….
8. Students will be able to explain clearly in writing………….

Additional objectives that may be added:

9. Students will demonstrate through their writing of course assignments an ability to write error free (or virtually error free) papers including proper grammar, spelling and organization of information.
10. Students will have demonstrated their educational professionalism by adhering to the class policies set out in this syllabus

Nature of the Course
(describe the methods that will be used to teach the class)

Course Requirements

Writing Requirements
(describe how written assignments will be graded)

Sample
I will require any student that is found to have significant deficiencies in their writing to use the services of the University Writing Center in an effort to improve such deficiencies to a satisfactory level. Assignments with more than 4 combined spelling or grammar errors will be returned to be rewritten.

Class Attendance Policy
(see Academic Affairs link on the Ferris web site for examples)

Exceptions to the Attendance Policy

Sample
Absences for the following reasons will be viewed as beyond the control of the individual and will not cause a person’s grade to be lowered or cause them to withdraw from or fail the class (Unless the absences become so numerous as to make meeting the objectives of the course becomes impossible).

1. Death of a family member/or other significant person
2. Extended hospitalization of self or child
3. University sponsored events (permission from the Academic Vice President’s Office is required).
4. Jury duty/or being subpoenaed for court testimony
5. Inclement weather in which local police agencies suggest it is dangerous to drive. (This applies only to commuters).
6. Other issues not listed if they fit the criteria of beyond the individual’s control.

NOTE: Exceptions must be discussed with the instructor at the time they occur to be considered an excused absence.

Issues not likely to be considered as exceptions:

1. a. Day care problems
2. b. Employment commitments
3. c. Being in jail
4. d. Transportation problems

Late for Class and Late Assignments Policy

Tests and Other Assessments
(Describe testing format and policy for make up or missed tests)

Sample:

Tests and quizzes are generally in an essay format. Some questions will be definitions or short answers others will require full essays. Students absent from class for a test or a quiz must make arrangements to take the quiz or test prior to the next class. Failing to do so will result in a grade of 0%. It is the student’s responsibility to call me to set up a time to make up the test or quiz. This course will have a cumulative final exam. Students should anticipate being assessed in multiple ways including oral presentations, written projects and homework.

Class Presentations
(If requiring presentation, describe the nature and how they will be assessed)

Safety Policy
(If the course has specific safety requirements, dress codes  eye ware or labs rules they should be included or referenced here)

Homework
(Describe types and frequency of homework)

Resources, References and Supplies
(Describe additional outside class work like internet or library research or additional material students might need to for the class i.e. make copies for other students of presentations, make overheads etc.)

Grading
(Describe in detail how the final grade will be determined)

Sample:
I use a point system to grade all work, tests and quizzes. . Homework assignments will generally be worth 10 or 20 points. Quizzes will be worth 20 points and tests will be worth 50 points. I expect there will be 475 points in the class. However, the final point total may vary slightly higher or lower. The breakdown will be as follows:

Homework Assignments 60
Major Homework Assignments 100
Quizzes 40
Portfolio 25
2 Exams 100
Presentations 50-75
Final Exam 100
Total 475-500

Tests will take place in a computer lab so students may write their answers using a word processor. For students who are uncomfortable with this method, traditional handwritten answers will be acceptable.

Grading of Tests
(Describe how tests will be scored i.e. by the testing center, using a specific procedure for essay tests etc.)

Course Grading Scale
(Describe the range of points that will determine the final grade)

Sample
475-451 = A          450-442 = A-
441-427 = B+        426-413 = B
412-394 = B-         393-380 = C+
379-336 = C          335-356 = C-
355-332 = D          331 – 0 = F

Course Calendar (Describe major test dates, project due dates and other important happenings including any field trips, guest speakers, conferences, days class will not meet, major reading assignments etc.—this can be attached to the syllabus as a separate sheet)

Additional Information
(Describe any additional information you would like the students to know about the class)

Class Expectations
(Describe the expectations you have for the students including their professionalism, behavior, participation, attention, cooperation, working with others etc.)

Sample
I expect you to actively engage in the learning process. It is my sincere hope, as you take this course, that if you are not already a teacher that you will choose to see yourself in the role of a teacher. This means seeing this course as helping you to prepare for one of the most important and difficult jobs in our society today. A mentality of trying to earn a grade, with the minimum effort necessary, will be a great disservice to you and the students that you will soon be teaching.

Final Note
Always include this final note:  I reserve the right to make needed and appropriate adjustments in this syllabus.

Instructor’s Professional Background and Teaching Experience
(It is strongly suggested that a brief listing of your background and expertise be attached to the syllabus to demonstrate to the students your competence and the rich and broad experience you can bring to them in this class.)

Faculty wanting further information about any of these topics are encouraged to contact Terry Doyle at doylet@ferris.edu



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