Adam NemeroffWelcome to the Quinnipiac University Syllabus Guide! This guide provides essential information for creating an inclusive and accessible syllabus that aligns with university policies. Below, you'll find key sections, recommendations, and steps to help you create and finalize your syllabus.
What to Include in Your Syllabus
Creating a comprehensive syllabus involves ensuring that all essential components are included. Below is a guide on what to include to meet both university requirements and best practices.
Required Syllabus Sections
Certain sections are mandatory for all syllabi at Quinnipiac University. The required sections ensure consistency and clarity across courses, helping students quickly find essential information.
Course Logistics
It's important to clearly define how your course is structured to guide students on what to expect in terms of class modality, engagement standards, necessary tools and skills, and key dates, ensuring they are well-prepared and organized throughout the semester.
- Course Format and Modality: Clearly state whether the course is in-person, online (synchronous/asynchronous), or hybrid, and what that entails for students.
- Participation and Engagement Expectations: Define what meaningful engagement and participation look like in your course. This might include active participation in discussions, timely completion of assignments, collaboration with peers on group projects, and regular attendance. Highlight how participation contributes to the overall learning experience and success in the course.
- Technology Requirements and Skills: Specify any software, tools, or technical skills students need to succeed in your course. For face-to-face courses, include guidelines for the use of electronic devices. Remember that students may require the use of assistive devices and technology in class for accommodation or other reasons, so develop a policy that is fair, inclusive and accessible.
- Course Schedule: Consider creating a course schedule that includes dates, topics/modules, and assignments due either in the syllabus or your Blackboard Course.
Building an Inclusive Classroom
Encourage a positive and inclusive classroom environment. Consider including:
- Welcoming and Inclusive Language: Use language that fosters a sense of belonging and emphasizes a supportive learning community.
- Fostering Our Classroom Community: Detail expectations for respectful dialogue, whether online or in person, and outline how building a classroom community will help them meet course learning objectives and foster learning from diverse perspectives. For online courses, detail the expected “netiquette” for the course, such as tone, spelling & grammar, etc.
- Support from Your Instructor: Let students know how they can reach you for help, including office hours, response times for emails, and any other forms of support you offer. Detail your communication method and preferences as well as your typical response time.
Technology Help and Student Services
Students can access up-to-date information directly through the course site on Blackboard:
- Technology Help: Students can find tech support, Blackboard tutorials, and other resources under the "Technology Help" section in the course.
- Student Academic & Support Services: Contact information for services like libraries, counseling, and health services is available under the "QU Policies & Resources" section in the course.
Creating Your Syllabus
Once you have a clear understanding of what to include in your syllabus, the next step is to create it. Below are steps, templates, and guidelines to help you finalize your syllabus.
Syllabus Template
We provide a customizable template that adheres to Quinnipiac University's standards. This template includes built-in accessibility features and required sections, ensuring your syllabus meets university requirements. Before using, make sure that your school/department does not already use a specific syllabus template.
Finalizing Your Syllabus
Follow these steps to complete and finalize your syllabus:
- Replace or Delete Instructional Text: Go through the template and remove or replace any highlighted instructional text.
- Update the Table of Contents: Ensure that the Table of Contents is accurate by updating it in your document editor.
- Review Accessibility Features: Double-check that any additions or modifications you've made maintain the template's accessibility features.
- Upload to Blackboard: Faculty are required to post the course syllabus, a text document (e.g., a reading, reading list, list of assignments, etc.), and a "welcome to the course" announcement message on Blackboard (with the option checked to send an email copy to students). This ensures preparedness for continuity of instruction in case of campus closure, but also helps prepare students before the course starts.
- Submit to Department: Provide a copy of your syllabus to your department chair or program director as required.
Additional resources
