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The syllabus is the most important indicator of a specific instructor's expectations of students in a particular course, and it offers students the most detailed description available of both the course content and assignments. Therefore, the course syllabus functions much like an academic "contract" between instructor (and by extension, department, college and university) and student. Thus, it should be clear, explicit, and complete, and it should not contain imprecise, vague, or ambiguous phraseology. The course syllabus must be provided free of charge (S.R. 6.1.1), and each student must receive the syllabus during the first or second class meeting. Syllabi can be distributed electronically (e.g., via e-mail, Web sites, etc.) if the electronically distributed syllabus contains all the necessary information, is made available at the very beginning of the course, AND can be accessed by all students throughout the semester.
Regardless of its form (paper or electronic), the course syllabus should contain sufficient information so that students have a clear understanding of the course, its content, assignments, grading criteria, and the like. It should also specify course policies and procedures, especially those that in any way may affect student grades. At a minimum, the course syllabus must outline the following items.
A. Course and Instructor Demographics
Joel M. Lee
Academic Ombud
Michele Sohner
Assistant to
Academic Ombud