Syllabus Guide

This information should be presented clearly, especially if an online course requires synchronous attendance or group meetings.

Any special notes regarding online or hybrid courses are worth including here if they support student achievement of the learning outcomes and are valuably noted on the first day of class or early in the course.

In addition to the required course information, instructors may want to provided an expanded course description that includes its purpose, goals and outcomes.

Noting course pre-requsities and the last day to drop the class is also valuable.

List all required materials and texts, including technology platforms and applications and multimedia, preferably listed using the citation style of your discipline. 

If instructors have additional material they believe would enhance the student learning experience, it may be valuable to include this in the syllabus. 

As part of Ohio University's learning management system transition, this course will be delivered in Canvas. Course materials, discussions, activities, assessments, and assignments, as well as student grades, can be accessed through canvas.ohio.edu(opens in a new window) . Continuous 24/7 Canvas support is available through the “Get Help” link in the lefthand navigation menu in Canvas or by visiting the Office of Information Technology’s Canvas student help page(opens in a new window) .

Connecting a course to a major or a career pathway is a powerful pedagogical strategy with several key benefits.

1. When students see how course content directly applies to their future careers or chosen fields of study, they may invest greater effort in learning, participate more actively in class discussions and assignments, and retain material more effectively, because it feels relevant and purposeful.
2. From a programmatic perspective, linking courses to majors and careers ensures that courses build on one another meaningfully, reinforces learning outcomes aligned with institutional goals, and strengthens arguments in program reviews and accreditation processes regarding curricular alignment with student success.
3. Faculty can design assignments that simulate workplace scenarios or require the use of professional tools, making assessments more authentic and practical and easier to evaluate against industry benchmarks or professional standards.

1. Office hours and location
2. Phone and email address, including contact preferences and anticipated timeframes for response
3. Brief instructor biography
4. Brief teaching philosophy statement/approach to teaching

1. Grading scales
2. Grading rubrics
3. Coursework guidelines (deadlines, submission, format, etc.)
4. Rationale for required assignments/course work
5. Participation

The CTLA highly recommends instructors collect early-term or midterm feedback, which the literature indicates may positively impact end-of course student evaluation of teaching.

Faculty who welcome other types of feedback on instruction and course materials may want to include how they welcome that feedback.

1. Classroom use of cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices
2. Expectations for classroom engagement, language and behavior, and/or respectful dialogue
3. Course policy on use of technologies like generative AI
4. Policy on absences
5. Policy on making up work.
6. Guidance for Productive Conversations
7. Accessibility Services

Sample language that can be adjusted in a syllabus:

Basic Information:

All students and employees at Ohio University have the right to work and learn in an environment free from sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. With the exception of the confidential resources listed below, all OHIO employees are required to report any instances of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC). 

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct, and you would like to make a report, please contact OHIO’s Director of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) and Title IX Coordinator. Ways to make a report include:

• Visit Civil Rights Compliance (opens in a new window) and click the "Submit a Report" button
• Walk-in or mail:
  Office of Civil Rights Compliance
  Kerri Griffin, J.D., Director and Title IX Coordinator
  Ohio University
  Lindley Hall 006
  Athens, Ohio 45701
• Phone: 740.593.9140
• Fax: 740.593.9168
• Email: titleix@ohio.edu or civilrights@ohio.edu

When a report is made to CRC, it leads to outreach where the alleged victim can receive information about their options for medical services, counseling, reporting to law enforcement, requesting an investigation, and other supportive measures, such as assistance with class adjustments, work schedules, housing arrangements, etc. If you are not yet ready to have something that happened to you or someone else reported, you can speak confidentially with the Survivor Advocacy Program (740-597-SAFE or https://www.ohio.edu/survivor (opens in a new window) ), Counseling and Psychological Services (740.593.1616 or https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/counseling (opens in a new window) ) or Campus Care (740.592.7100).

Longer Personalized Option:

We all share in the responsibility to create a safe learning environment for students and the campus as a whole. With the exception of the confidential resources listed below, all OHIO employees are required to report any instances of sexual harassment or other sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (CRC). If you share that you or another OHIO student has had any of these experiences (including, but not limited to, through class discussion, papers, office hours or other scenarios), it is my responsibility to notify CRC.

Your safety and the safety of others is important to me. Therefore, I take seriously my responsibility to report to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights Compliance. Reports are made to the Title IX Coordinator electronically at https://www.ohio.edu/civil-rights by selecting the “report sexual misconduct” tab, by phone at 740.593.9140,by fax at 740.593.9168, or by email at titleix@ohio.edu or civilrights@ohio.edu .

When a report is made to CRC, it leads to outreach where the alleged victim can receive information about their options for medical services, counseling, reporting to law enforcement, requesting an investigation, and other supportive measures, such as, assistance with class adjustments, work schedules, housing arrangements, etc.

If you are not yet ready to have something that happened to you or someone else reported to CRC, you can speak confidentially with the Survivor Advocacy Program (740-597-SAFE or https://www.ohio.edu/survivor (opens in a new window) ), Counseling and Psychological Services (740.593.1616 or https://www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/counseling (opens in a new window) ) or Campus Care (740.592.7100)

Confidential Resources

No information will be shared with third parties without your written permission, except in circumstances involving potential harm to self or others (e.g., suicide, homicide or other life-threatening behaviors), suspected child or elder abuse or neglect and court subpoena of counseling records.

• Counseling and Psychological Services– 740.593.1616
• Campus Care– 740.593.1660
• The Survivor Advocacy Program– 740.597.SAFE (7233)

Private Resources

Conversations are kept as confidential as possible, but information is shared with key staff members so the University can offer resources and accommodations, and to take action if necessary, for safety reasons.

• Ohio University Police Department– 740.593.1911
• The Office of Civil Rights Compliance– 740.593.9140
• The Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility– 740.593.2629

Policy on reasonable religious accommodations. [ 40.003 ] Items in italics may be edited to accommodate syllabus content and tone.

In addition to participation/attendance/absence policies already listed ,  students/you  may be absent for up to three (3) days each academic semester, without penalty, to take time off for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or to participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization.  Students/You  are required to notify  the instructor/me  in writing of specific dates requested for alternative accommodations no later than fourteen (14) days after the first day of instruction. These requests will remain confidential. For more information about this policy,  students/you  may contact the Director and Title IX Coordinator, Civil Rights Compliance, Lindley Hall, 006, 740-593-9140,  civilrights@ohio.edu .

1. A welcome-to-the-course statement early in the syllabus.
2. Advice for success
3. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) from students
4. Student Affairs One-Stop Student Resource Hub
5. A basic needs statement: Any student who has difficulty affording groceries of accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Dean of Students Office for support. The Food Pantry is located on the 5th floor of Baker Center and is open to all students. Additional resources can be found on the Dean of Students website(opens in a new window) under Bobcats Helping Bobcats.

A complete calendar of activities. including readings, materials to review, relevant session activities, assignments, assessments, etc., adds a level of transparency to the course that supports excellence course design, connection of course elements, and student learning.