Syllabus Template & Policy for Undergraduate and Non-Law Graduate Courses

The purpose of a course syllabus is to provide the student and the public information regarding the course including course goals and learning objectives, instructor information, required materials and texts, assignments, and grading policy and other policies (e.g., attendance, academic integrity, assistance for individuals with disabilities).

The course syllabus is an archival document. The syllabus is kept on file for an undetermined period of time. Former students and alumni often have reason to access a syllabus years after they have participated in the course. Beginning Fall 2004 all syllabi have been maintained within LORA (Loyola’s Online Record Access) as pdf files. According to university policy all course syllabi must be posted on LORA before the end of the first week of classes of all terms (i.e., fall, spring and summer). Instructions for posting syllabi are found within LORAFAC (http://www.loyno.edu/lora).

Given the long lasting and public nature of these records, faculty may wish NOT to include certain information in the LORA version of the syllabus. The following information MUST be posted as part of the official university syllabus.

 

Each course syllabus MUST include the following elements. Other information may be included on the syllabus or distributed as handouts along with the syllabus:

  • Instructor’s Name
  • Contact Information (i.e., office location, telephone number, email address, office hours)
  • Course name, number, and term of the current course (e.g., Fall 2010)
  • Brief Course Overview
  • Class meeting location (e.g., Monroe Hall 111) and meeting time (e.g., MWF 11:30 am – 12:20 pm)
  • Required reading materials and texts including: (note this information must also be provided to the Bookstore)
    • Title
    • Author
    • Edition
    • ISBN
    • List of any other required materials or course fees (if applicable)
    • Note: If the textbook information is not available when your syllabus is posted, you may indicate “to be determined”.
  • A statement concerning each of the following elements:
    • Expected Student Learning Course Outcomes (these should be consistent with the learning outcomes specified by the program/department and posted on its Intranet site)
    • Types of Assignments
    • Sequence Of Topics/Calendar (dates) of Assignments
    • Basis or Criteria for Assigning the Course Grade
    • Note: if there is any information in your syllabus that is subject to change, please note this in the appropriate place(s).
  • Policy statements covering Attendance/Absences, Late or Delinquent Work, Participation/Behavior expected in class, and Cheating and Plagiarism should also be included.

     

The following statement MUST be included regarding disability services and accommodations:

I am committed to creating a course that is inclusive in its design.  If you encounter barriers, please let me know immediately so that we can determine if there is a design adjustment that can be made or if an accommodation might be needed to overcome the limitations of the design.  I am always happy to consider creative solutions as long as they do not compromise the intent of the assessment or learning activity.  You are also welcome to contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) [ods@loyno.edu, 504-865-2990] to begin this conversation or to establish accommodations for this or other courses.  I welcome feedback that will assist me in improving the usability and experience for all students.
 

Cautionary note (which is NOT intended for inclusion on the syllabus) for all instructors: Please note that compliance with federal legislation prohibits denying a student accommodations solely on the basis of a student missing a deadline for submitting an Accommodation Form. Student eligibility for accommodations is authorized by the Office of Disability Services.

 

The following emergency statements MUST be included on each syllabus:

  • At times, ordinary university operations are interrupted as a result of tropical storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies that require evacuation or suspension of on-campus activities.  To prepare for such emergencies, all students will do the following during the first week of classes:

1. Practice signing on for each course through Blackboard.

2. Provide regular and alternative e-mail address and phone contact information to each instructor.

  • In the event of an interruption  to our course due to the result of an emergency requiring an evacuation or suspension of campus activities, students will:

3. Pack textbooks, assignments, syllabi and any other needed materials for each course ad bring during an evacuation/suspension

4. Keep up with course work during the evacuation/suspension as specified on course syllabi and on-line Blackboard courses.

5. Complete any reading and/or writing assignments given by professors before emergency began.

Assuming a power source is available....

6. Logon to university website within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension.

7. Monitor the main university site (www.loyno.edu) for general information.

8. Logon to each course through Blackboard or e-mail within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension to receive further information regarding contacting course instructors for assignments, etc.

9. Complete Blackboard and/or other online assignments posted by professors (students are required to turn in assignments on time during the evacuation/suspension period and once the university campus has reopened.)

10. Contact professors during an evacuation/suspension (or as soon as classes resume on campus) to explain any emergency circumstances that may have prevented them from completing expected work.

Further information about student responsibilities in emergencies is available on the Academic Affairs web site: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergency-responsibilities

 

 

Updated August 23, 2017 – Office of the Provost