THE SYLLABUS Does your syllabus contain the information

THE SYLLABUS Does your syllabus contain the information Middle States and RIT require? recommend? See if your syllabi make the grade! Presented by Stacey M. Davis PD Coordinator for Teaching Excellence August 23, 2017

• The Syllabus The Agenda • Middle States Expectations • RIT’s Expectations • NTID’s Expectations • Other information to include • Resources • Tips for student engagement Bold is REQUIRED Non-Bold is recommended

The Syllabus is… • a way to set the tone, expectations and policies of the course. • a contract between you and your students. • a valuable resource the students can utilize throughout the semester. • the course ‘Bible. ’

Middle States Expectations • Course Description*+ • Course Credit*+ • Objectives* • Topics* • Student Outcomes* • Texts/Resources • Basis for Grade Determination • *All of this information can be found in your course outline. • Your course outline can be found on my. Courses – See next slide • + Students can find this information on SIS.

How to access your Course Outline • Go to my. Courses • Non RIT Account Login • Username and Password are the same: conversion_guest • Select: NTID Calendar Conversion • Select: Content • Select: Course Outlines – MS Word Docs- Effective 2016 -17

RIT’S Expectations • Academic Integrity Statement – Your syllabus must reference the RIT Honor Code and RIT’s Academic Integrity Policy in an Academic Integrity Statement. • RIT Honor Code: www. rit. edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/p 030 • RIT Academic Integrity Policy: www. rit. edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d 080 • Example: As an institution of higher learning, RIT expects students to behave honestly and ethically at all times, especially when submitting work for evaluation in conjunction with any course or degree requirement. The Department of [NAME] encourages all students to become familiar with the RIT Honor Code and with RIT's Academic Integrity Policy.

RIT’s Expectations • Statement on Reasonable Accommodations • The Statement on Reasonable Accommodations is required in your syllabus : • RIT is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you would like to request accommodations such as special seating or testing modifications due to a disability, please contact the Disability Services Office. It is located in the Student Alumni Union, Room 1150; the Web site is www. rit. edu/dso. After you receive accommodation approval, it is imperative that you see me during office hours so that we can work out whatever arrangement is necessary.

RIT’s Expectations: • Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment (recommended) – Faculty are required to report any incidents related to discrimination, harassment, misconduct or violence based on gender. – HR has drafted and the provost strongly recommends the following: • RIT is committed to providing a safe learning environment, free of harassment and discrimination as articulated in our university policies located on our governance website. RIT’s policies require faculty to share information about incidents of gender based discrimination and harassment with RIT’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless whether the incidents are stated to them in person or shared by students as part of their coursework.

RIT’s Expectations: • Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment cont’d – If you have a concern related to gender-based discrimination and/or harassment and prefer to have a confidential discussion, assistance is available from one of RIT’s confidential resources on campus (listed below). • 1. The Center for Women & Gender: Campus Center Room 1760; 585 - 475 -7464; CARES (available 24 hours/7 days a week) Call or text 585 -295 -3533. • 2. RIT Student Health Center – August Health Center/1 st floor; 585 -475 -2255. • 3. RIT Counseling Center - August Health Center /2 nd floor - 2100; 585 -475 -2261. • 4. The Ombuds Office – Student Auxiliary Union/Room 1114; 585 -475 - 7200 or 585 -475 -2876. • 5. The Center for Religious Life – Schmitt Interfaith Center/Rm 1400; 585 -475 -2137. • 6. NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services – 2 nd Floor Lynden B. Johnson; 585 -475 -6468 (v), 585 -286 -4070 (vp).

NTID’s Expectations • Suggested Communication Statement • An example of a Communication Statement by Denise Kavin, co-chair of CEOCA: • Each deaf and hard of hearing student at NTID has individual language and communication needs (ASL and English), which should be treated with respect and courtesy. We all have the responsibility to make every effort to communicate with each class member, so at the beginning of the course, we will have a discussion about the language and communication strategies needed to allow for full participation for everyone. This discussion may continue throughout the semester, and adjustments made, if necessary. NTID is committed to providing a richly textured language and communication environment for all students, so that all students have equal access to information and learning opportunities. • In the event of a communication mismatch, the Department of Access Services can be reached at My. Access. rit. edu • Check out the CEOCA final report for more information.

Information to include: • Course Information: – Course Title, number, section – Semester and Academic Year – Meeting Times and Locations – Format (face-to-face, blended, online, flipped) – Other course specifics (e. g. , prerequisites)

Other information to include: • Instructor Information: – Your name – Office hours and office location – Your contact information – Best way to communicate with you (e. g. , email, office hours, v. p. ) – E-mail preferences/policies (e. g. , Monday-Friday/ 48 hour response time) – Instructor’s pronoun preference

Other information to include: • Course Description: – Official Catalogue Description – Course Overview – Program outcomes – Your teaching philosophy/teaching approach – (High-level topic outline)

Other information to include: • Course Materials: – Required textbooks, software and resources: Title, author, edition ISBN, where and how to purchase – Recommended texts and resources – Media/course reserved materials – Technology requirements: my. Courses, Adobe Connect, RIT Wiki, etc. and where to get help with technology

Other information to include: • Course Schedule: – A detailed weekly schedule of activities, including college breaks – Topics covered each week and learning outcomes – Quiz, mid-term and final exam dates – A list of graded items and activities with due dates – Other readings, assignments, discussions or projects with due dates

Other information to include: • Grading Policy and Criteria – A listing of graded items (quizzes, test, participation, projects, etc. ) – Overall grading scheme – Grading scale – Your policy on late/missed assignments – If you have an extra credit policy, include it.

Other information to include: • Your expectations from students – Participation/Attendance Policy – Homework Policy – Late Assignment Policy – Time commitment, esp. for an online course – Posting to my. Courses – Writing and style expectations – Etc.

Other information to include: • What students can expect from you. You will: – Check your email regularly and respond to student questions. – Hold regular office hours. – Explain and evaluate students’ work fairly. – Provide students with timely, honest feedback. – Offer a variety of learning formats.

Other information to include: • Other college/department policies to consider: – A statement on procedures to follow in event of a Universitywide emergency or closing due to weather – Your policy on technology in the classroom • Do you allow laptops, smartphones? – Your policy on online discussions

Other Important Tips • Make your Syllabus easy to read • Format it for easy access to information • Make sure it clear, concise, and friendly • You can distribute an abridged version of your syllabus that directs them to the full version • Include the recommendations that make sense for your class

Resources • RIT’s Teaching & Learning Services has a website devoted to developing your syllabus: • www. rit. edu/academicaffairs/tls/course-design/syllabus-design • There is a checklist and a template for you to use on their site. • Another resource to checkout: https: //accessiblesyllabus. tulane. edu/

Tips for Engaging your students • Have your class create the Syllabus together • Test your students on the Syllabus using a my. Courses quiz • Have your students sign a copy after viewing it – the syllabus as a contract • Create teams of students to review the syllabus and present 3 key points to the class

Questions

Power Workshops online: www. ntid. rit. edu/pd/workshops