CAE Suggested Syllabus Format and Text

Fall 2021

The Center for Academic Excellence - in consultation with the Provost’s Office, Academic Computing, and the Office of Digital Strategy & Online Learning - has compiled the following information and guidance for faulty regarding their syllabi. While there is no one “right way” to construct a syllabus, and your particular school or department may have certain expectations for what needs to be included, the suggestions below can serve as a guide across disciplines and disparate types of courses. Please feel free to reach out to the CAE for one-on-one consultations on your specific syllabus; simply email us at cae@fairfield.edu.

Template for ADA Accessible Syllabus

As we have increasingly turned to electronic distribution of our syllabi, it’s become crucial that we be attentive to the fact that not all students share the same physical abilities to interpret and understand them. Creating an ADA Accessible Syllabus will assure that users who require a screen reader will be able to successfully access it.

Microsoft Word ADA Accessible Syllabus Template: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zcajo3mz4h928p1/fairfield_accessible_syllabus_template.docx?dl=0

COVID-Related Language

As we begin the Fall 2021 semester, we encourage faculty to consider putting a statement on each syllabus laying out expectations surrounding classroom safety protocols. The following statement offers a clear option that allows enough flexibility for possible changes in University policy as well as for backing by the Dean of Students if student disciplinary action is required.

As a community of learners, all members of this class are responsible to themselves and to each other to maintain an environment that facilitates learning and ensures health and safety for all. Students are responsible for staying up to date and abiding with all University-wide COVID-19 protocols. Additionally, students are responsible for staying up to date and complying with classroom COVID-19 protocols, which may vary from class to class. Professors are responsible for setting classroom behavior expectations that are both consistent with University-wide COVID-19 policies and responsive to their particular class context. These classroom behavioral expectations may change over the course of the semester. Classroom behavioral expectations will be posted each week in the Announcements section on Blackboard for this course [or via email, etc.].

Sample Syllabus & Commentary

Replace all blue text below with the information described as it pertains to your own course.

Please note that the headings and subheadings below are not meant to be exhaustive or applicable to all departments, programs, and courses. They represent a sample set and should be edited to reflect each faculty member’s own needs.

Fairfield University
School/Department

Course Number, Title, Section, Semester and Year

Course Description

Insert course description, catalog and/or departmental description here.

Course Goals

What are the broad purposes of the course? (Goals)

Student Learning Outcomes/Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

What specific knowledge, skills and understandings will students acquire by the end of the course? (Learning Objectives)

Required Texts/Readings

Course texts (print and nonprint)

List textbook and any other required and recommended reading materials here. For textbooks, include the full citation and ISBN numbers.

Other readings (or recommended readings)

Include as necessary, alter heading, or delete this paragraph and heading

Other Technology requirements

Include applications used in this course, such as Blackboard, Quip, EdPuzzle, etc.
For any technical issues with Blackboard, Quip, Zoom, and other learning tools, please put in a ticket with the ITS Help Desk (itshelpdesk@fairfield.edu) or call them at x4069.

Attendance/Participation

Note expectations for participation, attendance, arrival times, behavior, safety, cell phone use, etc.

Netiquette

Think of online language like clothing.

Casual when we are speaking to each other in the lounge and during office hours: Shorts, tanks, tee shirts, and sneakers would be appropriate and some short cuts are permissible.
In regular email: Business casual dress, with no abbreviations, mostly complete sentences, etc.
Finally, term papers, essays and papers you turn in for a grade should be formal attire; no abbreviations, complete sentences, good grammar and paragraphs are required.

For more information, see Let's Talk about Netiquette.

Dropping and Adding

Undergraduate

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. found in the Fairfield University Catalog. You should be aware of the new deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.

Graduate Students

Assignments and Grading Policy

Enumerate and briefly describe assignments for the course and indicate alignment with learning outcomes. Include information about due dates and assignment weights. Specify grading policies including how grades are determined, what grades are possible, whether extra credit are available, what the penalty is for late or missed word and what constitutes a passing grade for the course.

Course Schedule

(Note: subject to change with fair notice.)

[Your School] Policies and Resources

Policy/Resource

Include as necessary, alter heading, or delete this paragraph and heading

Religious Holidays

As indicated by Fairfield University’s policy, any student missing classes or other assigned work due to religious holiday observances shall have the opportunity to make up that work during the term. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor in writing at least two weeks prior to any observed holiday.

Academic Integrity

It is expected that all work done for this class will be in strict compliance with the principles of academic honesty and integrity, as outlined in the Student Catalog. Cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty of any kind is not acceptable and will result in a zero for the exam or assignment and possible a failing grade for the class, and/or expulsion from the program.

Fairfield University Writing Center

The Fairfield University Writing Center is a free resource available to all Fairfield University students. At the Writing Center, a trained peer tutor will work individually with students on anything they are writing, at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Tutors have special training to work with students for whom English is an additional language. The tutoring conference is collaborative; peer tutors do not write, proofread, or grade papers for students. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the Writing Center website at www.fairfield.edu/writingcenter.

Office of Accessibility

Fairfield University is committed to providing an accessible learning environment. If you need to request accommodations based on a disability, please contact the Office of Accessibility in the Academic Commons, DiMenna–Nyselius Library at 203-254-4000 ext. 2615 or via email at ooa@fairfield.edu. Any student with a disability registered with the Office of Accessibility for academic accommodations should send me their accommodation letter as soon as possible in the semester as accommodations are not retroactive. We will work together as a team to support you as a learner.

Counseling & Psychological Services

Fairfield University provides mental health services to support the academic and personal success and well-being of students. Counseling & Psychological Services offers free, confidential psychological services to help students manage personal challenges that may interfere with your well-being. Fairfield University is committed to advancing the mental health and wellbeing of its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available. For help, contact Counseling and Psychological Services at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2146 or counseling@fairfield.edu.

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