Syllabus Checklist
All of the components below create an effective syllabus. Some are required for accreditation or policy compliance purposes (these are highlighted). For Fall 2020, additional required components are necessary to ensure preparation for potential effects of COVID-19.
Your final syllabus is to be submitted to your department chair by August 1. Chairs will review for required components and then submit to Academic Affairs to ensure SACSCOC compliance.
___ Course Name
___Course Number
___Credit Hours
___Prerequisites
___Course Meeting Days and Times (unless Online Asynchronous)
___Class Location (unless Online)
___Instructor’s Name and Title
___Instructor’s Contact Information (at least one method of contacting the instructor outside of class is required)
___Instructor’s Office Location
___Instructor’s Office Hours (as per Faculty Handbook, all faculty are to hold 8 hours of office hours per week. For Fall 2020, these may be in person, via Zoom or via another remote platform).
___List of All Required and Recommended Texts and Course Materials
___Course Description
___Student Learning Outcomes
___Remote Readiness/Technology Plan
___Attendance Policy (the form of this policy is at the discretion of the instructor, but instructors should be aware that the Course Catalog indicates that students may not receive credit for a class if they attend fewer than 50% of the classes so that at least should be in the syllabus).
___Grading Policy
___Participation Policy
___Missed Exam Policy
___Lab Safety (if applicable)
___Statement on Classroom Safety – please use the following text:
Students are expected to be committed to the health and safety of our campus community and are expected to abide by College and University of Virginia policies that require specific behaviors and practices to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the COVID-19 virus, including wearing of masks or face coverings. As a student in this course, it is expected that you keep your face covering on, covering your mouth and nose, throughout class.
Students who choose not to wear a mask may participate in class remotely, but may not attend in person. This is to protect their health and safety, as well as the health and safety of their classmates, instructor and the College community. Anyone attending class in person without a mask will be asked to put one on or leave. Instructors will end class if anyone present refuses to appropriately wear a mask for the duration of class. Students should also be sure they are situated at least six feet away from their classmates and seated in a seat that is designated to ensure that distance. (Add other appropriate language specific to a class here) Failure to comply with the College’s requirement on face coverings may result in your being asked to leave class or further disciplinary action. On a case by case basis, students may consult with Disability Services for accommodations, prior to not wearing a face covering and attending class, if they cannot wear a mask. Students requiring such accommodations may be advised to take advantage of and participate in the course through remote learning.
Students who are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms should not attend class in person and are encouraged to contact a health care provider.
For more information on the University’s face covering policy, please visit: https://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/SEC-045
___Academic Honesty Policy – faculty should include an explicit statement of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism in their courses. You might include a link to the Honor System page: https://www.uvawise.edu/student-life/student-governance/honor-system/
___Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy – please use the following text:
The College is committed to upholding and maintaining all aspects of accessibility. If you need accommodations due to disability or if you have emergency medical information to share with me, please contact Disability Services, Academic Support Center, Zehmer, 276-328-0265 or disability@uvawise.edu. Students with disabilities must register with Disability Services to discuss accommodations.
___Title IX Statement (Sexual Misconduct/Harassment) – please use the following text:
The University of Virginia's College at Wise strives to provide a working and educational environment for all faculty, staff and students that is free from sexual misconduct/harassment. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and other acts of sexual misconduct are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The College reaffirms its commitment to maintain a campus environment emphasizing the dignity and worth of all members of the college community.
To view the UVa-Wise’s Sexual Misconduct/Harassment policy, please visit: http://www.uvawise.edu/compliance/TitleIX
If you have questions or concerns, please immediately contact your Title IX Coordinator listed below.
Tabitha Smith, Director of Compliance & Inclusion, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Compliance & Inclusion
The office is located on the first floor of Cantrell Hall.
Office: 276-328-0131 | Cell: 276-870-5065 | Fax: 276-376-4876
tabitha.smith@uvawise.edu
___Digital Citizenship/Netiquette – Recommended text for online courses:
Most of the communication among you, your classmates and the instructor will be in writing for this course. Anytime you are communicating in writing, it is important to remember that people cannot see your body language or your face, so we must all be careful about the tone of our writing and unintended communication. Be professional and careful with your online interaction. Proper address for faculty is by formal title such as Professor, Dr. or Ms./Mr. Jones unless invited by faculty to use a less formal approach. Please remember to always be courteous and respectful in your communication with faculty and your peers.
___Personal Electronics Policy (see below for examples)
___Information about Student Support Services (Writing Center, Computer Labs, Academic Support Center, Counseling Center)
___Weekly Schedule
PERSONAL ELECTRONICS POLICY
It is suggested that you explicitly include an electronics use policy in your syllabi, as it will reflect expectations for the student and instructor. If you have some restrictions, it is advised that you are specific about those in your syllabi (for example, if you are fine with the iPad but do not allow video or voice recording of lectures, you may want to consider adding that in your syllabi now that the majority of students will have this capability). Additionally, it is important to remember that students might purchase their textbook electronically, so they may lose access to their text if they are not allowed to use the iPad in the classroom.
Electronics/iPad Policy Suggestions Below
If you plan on using the iPad in the classroom, with no restrictions:
You are encouraged to use your electronic device (i.e., iPad) in the classroom to enhance your learning experience. We will be using specific apps in this course (i.e., Remind and Socrative), so please download these apps as soon as possible. Please use the note-taking features (such as Notability or Notes), including taking pictures of slides (and writing on them with the Apple Pencil), downloading PowerPoint slides from Moodle (and writing on them), and typing notes during class. You may also record lectures or parts of lectures as long as the process is not distracting to you, the professor, or your fellow classmates. Although the iPad and other devices can be quite helpful in the classroom, please do not use your device in the classroom if it will distract you, the professor, or your classmates (for example – do not surf social media or get caught up on your favorite TV show). You may be asked to put your device away if it is a distraction.
If you plan on using the iPad in the classroom, but have restrictions:
You are expected to bring your device (i.e., iPad) to class fully charged with the anticipation of using it during class. However, you will be instructed as to when you may or may not use your device during class. If you have an exception due to a disability, you must provide documentation from Disability Services prior to the exam.
If you want to give a cushion for new apps:
Your patience is appreciated while we try out new applications (such as; Socrative, and Remind). The goal is to enhance your learning experience, and we will attempt to use these apps as long as they do not detract from your experience.
If you plan on using the iPad in the classroom, but have restrictions for exams/quizzes:
Electronic devices (i.e., iPads, tablets, laptops, smart watches, cell phones, earbuds/headphones, etc.) use is prohibited during exams and quizzes. You will receive a grade of “zero” on the exam/quiz if your phone/watch rings/vibrates or if you use it in any capacity during the exam/quiz. If you have an exception due to a disability, you must provide documentation from Disability Services prior to the exam.
If you do not want students recording your lectures:
You are not permitted to video or voice record lectures unless you have written permission from the professor.
If you prefer students not use headphones, regardless of your electronics policy:
Please note that you may not use headphones of any kind during lecture in the classroom. You may not have headphones draped over your ears, on your neck, or your chest. Headphones include over the ears, earbuds, Bluetooth, Air Pods, wired, or wireless varieties. You are expected to be paying attention during lecture, and it is very distracting to you, your fellow classmates, and the professor to have headphones in/around your ears. If you have an exception due to special accommodations, you must provide documentation from Disability Services.
If you do not allow electronics of any kind:
You may not use any electronics (including iPads) at any time in the classroom.