Syllabus Preparation Checklist for Truman State University
Fall 2008

Name and course listing of course:____________________________________________

Will I be using the Blackboard site for this course?                                Yes      No

Will I use a TruView group account to facilitate student group work?     Yes      No

Directions:  Check each item when you have completed it;   Items 1-12 should be considered basic to any Truman syllabus.  Items 13-23 may be considered as aspects of a syllabus that should be incorporated as one matures in teaching.  Those items you have decided not to address in this course, mark with an appropriate code [n/a or other notation]

_____  1.  I have included information on how students can communicate with me:  office hours; e-mail; response-time commitment; special circumstances; etc. etc.

_____  2.  I have included an ADA compliance statement.  [http://disabilityservices.truman.edu/teachers.php ]

_____  3.  I have included clear definitions of how I will construe

• Cheating
• Plagiarism [3 consecutive words? Obvious passages?]
• Ethical use of group work

• Unethical use of group work

what will happen accordingly

and why it is important

[http://conduct.truman.edu/faculty_resources5.asp and http://conduct.truman.edu/faculty_resources.asp  ]

_____ 4.  I have included statements on student attendance, and late work.

_____ 5.  I have included clear, detailed information on how grades are earned.

_____ 6.  My objectives for this course begin with “The student will  [verb]…”

_____ 7. My objectives continue by stating the context in which the student will do this (location, speed, duration, number of repetitions/iterations, accuracy, level of thought, etc.) [see “A Quick Guide to Writing Learning Objectives”: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/templates/objectivetool.html

_____ 8.  My tests/exams match up with the qualities of my objectives.  All objectives are
                evaluated; test/exam material appears in the objectives.

_____ 9.  I have included information on how best to study for this class, or have referred students to that information.

_____ 10.  Which Truman Values are evident in this course?

                        a.  Focus on Students and Student Learning

                        b.  Intellectual Challenge in a NURTURING and DIVERSE Environment

                        c.  Affordability

                        d.  Commitment to Assessment

_____ 11.  My objectives contribute to each graduate attaining which of the following Truman Learning Outcomes:

a.       Has command of essential intellectual skills of written and oral communication, quantitative analysis, and computer literacy

b.      Appreciates the interconnectedness of knowledge, demonstrates the capacity to integrate and synthesize knowledge and information across disciplines

c.       Demonstrates strong mastery of a major area of study

d.      Has a growing understanding of the moral and ethical challenges within social, professional, and personal decisions

e.       Has undertaken free personal intellectual exploration of research

f.        Is well prepared for effective living in a diverse and democratic society

_____ 12.  I have explicitly stated in the syllabus how this course connects to:

·        other courses, or

·        programs of study, or

·        initiatives in my division/across divisions?

[See Essential Skills http://www.truman.edu/pages/141.asp  Interconnecting Perspectives http://www.truman.edu/pages/143.asp -particularly the intercultural perspective- and Modes of Inquiry  http://www.truman.edu/pages/142.asp  for some ideas]

_____ 13.  From my syllabus can a student identify an important demarcation of the field?

_____ 14.  Can a student tell what I am passionate about in this field? 

_____ 15.  I have explicitly stated in the syllabus how successfully completing this course will enhance students’ civic engagement.

[ http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/WorkingPapers/WP06Kirlin.pdf   or http://tctl.truman.edu/resources/CivicEngagement/index.asp] 

_____ 16.  At least one graded activity or assignment in the course accommodates the V learning style. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visual

_____ 17.  At least one graded activity or assignment in the course accommodates the A learning style. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=aural

_____ 18.  At least one graded activity or assignment in the course accommodates the R learning style. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=readwrite

_____ 19.  At least one graded activity or assignment in the course accommodates the K learning style. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=kinestheticprint

_____ 20.  The following student work may be useful in compiling my 3^rd Year Formative Review portfolio or dossier.

_____  21.  I need to arrange for the following in order to compile my 3^rd year Formative Review dossier or portfolio:

• videotaping of a class session
• teaching observation by a peer, mentor, discipline convener, or faculty developer
• correspondence verifying some information/participation/planning
• copies of my instructional comments on students’ work

_____  22.  I have included a separate student permission form to secure permission to display student work to my peers for purposes of program and instructor performance review WHEN THAT REVIEW MAY BE PRESENTED IN PUBLIC VENUES such as conferences or publications.

Sample:

I give permission for my coursework to be used in public presentation or publication about the development or improvement of this course, educational program, or university.

_____I DO wish my name be attached to my work

_____I DO NOT wish my name to be attached to my work

_____  23.  I have arranged for a peer to collect and retain these permissions until after grades for this course are submitted.  I will only use material for which students have granted permission WHEN IT MAY BE SEEN IN PUBLIC VENUES such as conferences or publications.

Also of interest:

Syllabus Tutorial from League For Innovation in Community Colleges http://www.league.org/gettingresults/web/module2/learning/writing_syllabus.html

Syllabus construction system from Nutshell Note Vol. 7 no. 1 at CU Denver http://www.isu.edu/ctl/nutshells/old_nutshells/7_1.htm