(Also see Grades)

Must I have a syllabus for every class I teach?

A syllabus is required for each class that you teach. The syllabus is an extension of the contract between the student and the school. Your syllabus should be consistent with the Course Adoption Form (CAF) that your department has filed with the campus Office of Instruction. Each course has a set of outcomes as well as a course outline identified on the CAF. If a problem arises because the two documents do not agree, the least restrictive of the two documents may apply to the student. Regardless, the College can better support the instructor in a grade complaint if the faculty member has a syllabus and follows it.

Does the college keep a copy of my syllabus?

Your department or division chair will ask you to provide a syllabus for each class you teach. These will be kept in the division files.

Can I make changes in the syllabus after the quarter starts?

During the first week of class, preferably the first day, every student should be given a typed copy of your course syllabus. After the syllabus is handed out, changes can be made in assignments, test dates and due dates as long as the changes are reasonable and there is proper notification. It is best to include a statement in the syllabus that test dates, assignments and lectures are subject to change. It is not a good idea to add reading material during the last two weeks of the quarter.

If you do make a change, the safest procedure is to provide students with a written copy of the change. Be sure to keep a signed and dated copy.

A substitute teacher is bound to the original syllabus. A change could be made right at the start, but a different book could not be required.

During the quarter do not change the grading scale, grading policy, attendance policy, make-up policy and participation policy (especially if a change will negatively impact students’ grades).

What should I include in the syllabus and how long should it be?

Syllabi vary in length, but two pages should be sufficient. Ask your division chair for sample syllabi to help get started. The syllabus should include:

REQUIRED:

1. Course department, number, section, days and times;
   
2. Quarter and year;
   
3. Instructor’s name, phone number(s) and office hours- be sure to include how students should reach you on campus. They should understand that you are a day/evening instructor and may not spend the same hours on campus as they do. (If you feel comfortable sharing your home phone or another work phone numbers with your students, that may prove helpful.);
   
4. The text and materials required;
   
5. Grading policy - define the elements and processes as they affect the final grade. Include a statement on academic honesty, plagiarism or cheating (i.e., cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty are unacceptable at Highline Community College and may result in lowered grades and/or disciplinary action). Courts may take the teacher’s decision into consideration if a syllabus is provided, is reasonable, and has been adhered to in the application of grades. The policy must be reasonable and rationally related to the student work and consistent with the syllabus. If plagiarism is suspected, the instructor should first discuss the facts with the student in private. The student should not be accused at that time. Present the student with the facts, and ask for an explanation. Any extra credit opportunity should be stated in the syllabus so that everyone has an equal opportunity;
   
6. Course Content - provide a general introduction to the course. State the course objectives;
   
7. Statement that options are available for students with documented learning disabilities - students should be advised to see the Access Services Coordinator;
   
8. Prerequisites (COMPASS scores, 2.0 in previous class, etc.);
   
9. Assignment deadlines;
   
10. Class attendance policy - if there is a class attendance/tardiness policy, and it affects students’ grades, it must be stated in the syllabus. In addition, the policy must be reasonable and rationally related to the class performance of the student. Take roll to be safe;
    
11. Class participation policy - if participation in class affects the grade, it must be reasonable. (Participation grades are not reasonable in a lecture class) The policy must be communicated in writing and be rationally related to student performance and participation;
    
12. Policy on missed deadlines and exams. Communicate the make-up policy in writing. Reasonable policy demands a make-up possibility, with restrictions. You may state no make-up, unless the student can document an unavoidable accident; serious injury of the student, a parent, a spouse, or child; or death in the immediate family. The documentation will be a third person report by the police, doctor or a death certificate. Or, you can give more tests than you count, e.g., give 12 quizzes and throw out two for whatever reason. It is also legal to state that make-up scores cannot be higher than one’s on-time scores, but be careful with the wording;
    
13. A statement on the availability of Access Services and tutoring.

RECOMMENDED:

1. Complete course outlines, including assignments and topics on daily or weekly basis;
   
2. Major assignments described, along with their weight in the final grade, and due dates;
   
3. Quizzes and exams, their frequency, type and percent of final grade;
   
4. Lists of additional resources;
   
5. Tips for succeeding in the class.

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