Syllabi & Assignments Collection

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This collection of syllabi and assignments serves as an opportunity for new and experienced teachers to see how others are organizing and presenting their classes, what pedagogies they are using, what assignments they are giving, what standards, rules, and policies they are relying on, etc. The collection serves as a formative tool that supports LMU faculty as a community of teachers and provides an opportunity to learn from each other and to be inspired by good ideas others have implemented.

In addition to syllabi, the collection often also includes different types of assignments, guidelines, and in some cases also anonymized samples of student work (the latter in a separate binder).

This material has come together in response to a general solicitation call to all faculty. These documents have not been vetted in any form and are not to be used for any summative or assessment purposes. Consider discussing features you see in these syllabi and material with us at the CTE and with colleagues in your Departments/Programs to determine whether those features may be good elements to integrate into your own syllabi, materials, and more generally your teaching. Also consider contacting the author of the documents for questions, suggestions, and discussions (keeping in mind that contributions to this collection are voluntary and people may be busy).

The collection contains syllabi and other material for different levels and types of classes; it covers the range of offered classes and programs as best as possible – there are gaps and you are welcome to fill them at any time (contact us). The collection will be updated on an annual basis, although not all material is expected to be of the most recent vintage (eventually, material will be removed by the CTE when too many semesters have passed). Faculty members can request to have their material removed from the collection at any point w/o the need for an explanation.

We encourage you to peruse the material in detail and slowly at the CTE and to also look at documents from areas outside of your field. You are welcome to take ample notes and/or to work on your own material as you have the collection next to you. However, do not make any photocopies or take any images in another form w/o the explicit consent from the author and notifying us. Do not share any of the material beyond the use in your own teaching w/o the explicit consent of the author. Please do not add or remove any items to/from the binders (even if you are the author – in that case, please contact us).

By consulting the documents in this collection, you agree to use them in the manner and for the purposes described here.

Enjoy, be inspired, and engage your colleagues in enriching conversations about teaching and learning.

Syllabus Checklist 

GENERAL INFORMATION: UNIVERSITY & COURSE

  • University name, semester and year
  • Course number, title, section number, days, time (start and end), classroom location, credit hours.  INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION
  •  Instructor name(s), title, office location, phone, email, fax, office hours

COURSE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

  • Course Description: Provide description from the most recent LMU Bulletin.
  • Learning Outcomes: Describe what students will know, be able to do, and value upon successful completion of the course.
  • Instructional Methods: If applicable, describe instructional methods such as lecture-discussion, problem-based learning, group work, projects, presentations, critiques, community-based learning, portfolios, etc.
  • Prerequisites (if any)
  • Required Text(s) (if any)
  • Required Lab Fee(s) (if any): As discussed with Department Chair/Program Director, pursuant to College/School procedures or policies, if any, and as published in the Registrar’s Real-Time Schedule of Classes.
  • Assignments, including Readings, Projects (with grading rubrics, if available), etc.: In addition to identifying the nature of assignments indicate policies, including if/how they will be graded and factored into the grade, and how late assignments will be handled.
  • Exams/Quizzes (if applicable): Give policy on missed exams or quizzes, and include the Final Exam date/time – available from the Registrar’s calendar.
  • Work Load Expectations: Indicate the average minimal time students are expected to spend per week on class- related learning activities, and all substantial one-time activities (e.g., a weekend trip), in line with LMU’s Credit Hour Policy, see https://www.lmu.edu/media/lmuacademics/provost/documents/LMU%20Credit%20Hour%20Policy_Final.pdf.
  • Grading Scheme: Be very specific regarding the components of the grade, how each is weighted and include “floors” for each of the letter grades A (or A range) through D (or D range).
  • Attendance/Participation: If applicable, describe details including how it affects grades. At professor’s discretion; also check departmental/program/college/school policies and norms (Student Health Services,SHS, does not issue medical excuse notes).
  • Use of Technology: Explain what will be used/required/optional/allowed and how to access it.
  • Extra Credit: If offered, it must be fairly offered to all students and announced in a timely manner. Be specific how it is factored into the grading.

UNIVERSITY POLICY STATEMENTS (REQUIRED)

  • Americans with Disabilities Act – Special Accommodations
  • Academic Honesty
  • Tentative Nature of the Syllabus

OTHER POLICY STATEMENTS (RECOMMENDED)

Expectations for Classroom Behavior

  • Electronic devices in the classroom
  • Student responsibility for checking identified communication channels, such as lion.lmu.edu address
  • Reporting Requirements of Sexual or Interpersonal Misconduct
  • Student Self-Care
  • Emergency Preparedness Information

The original version of this checklist derives from Grunert O’Brien, J., Millis, B. & Cohen, M. The course syllabus: A learning centered approach, Anker Press (2008) and Nilson, L. Teaching at Its Best, Jossey Bass (2010). The checklist was developed by the Faculty Senate Committee on the Comprehensive Evaluation of Teaching (CCET) in 2010 and has since been maintained and updated by the CTE.

Suggested Wording for Required and Selected Recommended Items – Adapt as Appropriate

Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty will be treated as an extremely serious matter with severe consequences that can range from receiving no credit for assignments/tests, failing the class, to expulsion. It is never permissible to turn in any work that has not been authored by the student, such as work that has been copied from another student or copied from a source (including Internet) without properly acknowledging the source. It is your responsibility to make sure that your work meets  the standard set forth in the “Academic Honesty Policy”.

It is strongly recommended that you provide a more detailed statement about plagiarism relative to the specific assignments in your class and that you clearly identify the consequences of academic dishonesty. Suggestions for preventing plagiarism and the use of resources can be found at the above link.

Special Accommodations: Students with special needs who require reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations in this course should promptly direct their request to the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office. Any student who currently has a documented disability (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning, Physical, or Psychiatric) needing academic accommodations should contact the DSS Office (Daum Hall 2nd floor, 310-338-4216) as early in the semester as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please visit http://www.lmu.edu/dss for additional information.

Tentative Nature of the Syllabus: If necessary, this syllabus and its contents are subject to revision; students are responsible for any changes or modifications announced or distributed in class or posted on LMU's course management system MYLMUConnect.

Students should be notified of any syllabus revisions in the same manner(s) that the original syllabus was distributed (for example, distributed in class and/or posting on MYLMU Connect) and via all typical class communication channels.

Expectations for Classroom Behavior:

It is important to be clear regarding expectations for classroom behavior, both in what is prohibited and how the instructor will manage behavioral issues including possible consequences. The following LMU documents are available to reference:

“Disruptive Behavior, and/or intentionally or recklessly interfering with normal University life, activities, processes or University-sponsored activities including, but not limited to: studying; teaching; research; classroom instruction; campus or residential life; University administration; judicial proceedings; or fire, police or emergency services.”

“Disruptive behavior which is persistent or significantly interferes with classroom activities may be subject to disciplinary action. A student may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs if their behavior constitutes a violation of the conduct code.” (https://academics.lmu.edu/media/lmuacademics/centerforteachingexcellence/documents/LMU%20Student%20Classroom%20and%20Course-Related%20Behavior.pdf)

Here is possible wording:

RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS: As an LMU Lion, by the Lion’s Code, you are pledged to join the discourse of the academy with honesty of voice and integrity of scholarship and to show respect for staff, professors, and other students. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Please turn off and put out of sight all electronic devices (other than those and when allowed)

during class-time. The interruptions and/or distractions they cause disrupt class and interfere with the learning process.

Communication: Identify the communication channels you use in your class and clearly describe the students’ responsibility to check those channels. Make sure that the chosen channels of communication are available to all students. It is strongly recommended that you (also) use the students’ LMU email addresses provided in PROWL and on LMU’s course management system (MYLMUConnect). Here is possible wording:

EMAIL COMMUNICATION: I will communicate with the class and individual students using campus email, so it is essential that you regularly check your lion.lmu.edu email account or the preferred email address to which you forward.

Reporting Requirements of Sexual or Interpersonal Misconduct: As “responsible employees,” faculty are required to report any case of suspected sexual or interpersonal misconduct and cannot protect student confidentiality. For information about confidential counseling on campus and for general information about consensual relationships, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, please see the LMU Cares website: http://studentaffairs.lmu.edu/lmucares/.

Student Self-Care: No matter if you are a new student or returning student, remember to prioritize your self-care.  LMU has many health and wellness resources available to support you at every step of your journey.  Learn more at lmu.edu/lionwellness. 

Emergency Preparedness: To report an emergency or suspicious activity, contact the LMU Department of Public Safety by phone (x222 or 310-338-2893) or at the nearest emergency call box. In the event of an evacuation, follow the evacuation signage throughout the building to the designated safe refuge area where you will receive further instruction from Public Safety or a Building Captain. For more safety information and preparedness tips, visit  https://publicsafety.lmu.edu/em/.

 

Please contact us at the Center for Teaching Excellence to consult the Syllabi and Assignments Collection and for any questions you may have about it (teachers@lmu.edu, or 85866).