Teaching Policies & Procedures: Course Planning
Syllabus Template
The University of Iowa
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of XX
Title of Course: Number and Section
Other numbers of course on ISIS if cross-listed
Semester, Year
Building: Room Number
Web site address
Some of the policies relating to this course (such as the drop deadline) are governed by its administrative home, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 120 Schaeffer Hall.
Instructor
Office location and hours: [3 hrs min wk] and by appointment
Phone:
Email address:
DEO: [name plus location]
Course Supervisor [only for teaching assistants]:
Office and hours:
Phone and email:
Description of Course
Give a description of the course subject matter and some of the reasons for its importance or other contextual material.
Objectives and Goals of the Course
Describe the intended outcomes and goals of the courses, including perhaps the skills practiced and the knowledge of particular subject matter or of an approach to learning gained.
[Note: If the course is a General Education course, please include this fact in the description, noting its category within the program and the goals or objectives of the course in terms of the GE outcomes. Visit this link for the goals of the GE Program.
[www.clas.uiowa.edu/faculty/gep/areas.shtml]
Texts
Required texts or materials (available at [give name of bookstore]):
Optional texts:
Texts on reserve:
Other required materials:
Grading System and the Use of +/-
Let students know if the course uses the plus or minus grading system. If plus or minus is not used, you must tell students on the syllabus.
Assignments and Percentage of Final Grade
Outline the percentage each assignment is worth.
Exams and Percentage of Final Grade
Quizzes
Midterms
Final exam
Please remember that final exams may only be given during finals week according to CLAS policy. Likewise, no major exams may be given the week before finals week.
A Word about the Date and Time of the Final Exam:
The final examination date and time will be announced during the first half of the semester. Watch for an email from the Registrar containing the final exam information for this class and for all of your classes. I will announce the final examination date and time for this course at the course ICON site once it is known. Do not plan your end of the semester travel plans until the final exam schedule is made public.
Course Policies
Course attendance: Describe all attendance policies in detail.
Participation in class discussions: Outline all expectations.
Timely completion of assignments: Note any consequences for late assignments.
Other Expectations of Student Performance
Some instructors include expectations for civil behavior and consequences for any disturbances of the class.
Resources for Students
Students will find the Writing Center and the Speaking Center very useful for this course:
Writing Center: http://www.uiowa.edu/~writingc/
Speaking Center: http://clas.uiowa.edu/rhetoric/for-students/speaking-center
Calendar of Course Assignments and Exams
Detailed reading assignments, other assignments, and exams should be noted on a calendar of assignments. Calendar headings highlighting topics or ideas studied each week can be very helpful to students. It is also helpful for students to have an evaluated assignment before the third week of the class in order to provide explicit course expectations. Students are also encouraged to participate and attend a class when graded assignments occur throughout the semester on a regular basis.
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The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Administrative Home
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall, or see the CLAS Academic Policies Handbook.
Electronic Communication
University policy specifies that students are responsible for all official correspondences sent to their University of Iowa e-mail address (@uiowa.edu). Faculty and students should use this account for correspondence (Operations Manual, III.15.2. Scroll down to k.11).
Accommodations for Disabilities
A student seeking academic accommodations should first register with Student Disability Services and then meet privately with the course instructor to make particular arrangements. See www.uiowa.edu/~sds/ for more information.
Academic Honesty
All CLAS students have, in essence, agreed to the College's Code of Academic Honesty: "I pledge to do my own academic work and to excel to the best of my abilities, upholding the IOWA Challenge. I promise not to lie about my academic work, to cheat, or to steal the words or ideas of others; nor will I help fellow students to violate the Code of Academic Honesty." Any student committing academic misconduct is reported to the College and placed on disciplinary probation or may be suspended or expelled (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).
CLAS Final Examination Policies
The date and time of every final examination is announced during the fifth week of the semester; each CLAS student will receive an email from the Registrar stating the dates and times of the student's final exams. Final exams are offered only during the official final examination period. No exams of any kind are allowed during the last week of classes. All students should plan on being at the UI through the final examination period.
Making a Suggestion or a Complaint
Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit with the instructor (and the course supervisor), and then with the departmental DEO. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. All members of the UI community have a responsibility to uphold this mission and to contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. See the UI Comprehensive Guide on Sexual Harassment for assistance, definitions, and the full University policy.
Reacting Safely to Severe Weather
In severe weather, class members should seek appropriate shelter immediately, leaving the classroom if necessary. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. For more information on Hawk Alert and the siren warning system, visit the Public Safety web site.