Created by the Curricular Policy Committee April 2019
Please note: elements required in a course syllabus are so indicated. Otherwise this document is not intended to be prescriptive, but rather a helpful model of practices culled from syllabi submitted to CPC over the course of the 2018-2019 academic year. It can be used as a checklist/reminder for faculty and as a guideline for newly hired faculty.
Course Title
Your name
Department
Semester and year
Class time and place
Office hours
Course Structure (Suggested order of appearance):
Course Description with enrollment limits, prerequisites, requirements that the course satisfies. (See “Anatomy of a Course Description,” https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/registrar/resources-for-faculty/catalog-changes/)
Course Goals/Objectives or Learning Outcomes [REQUIRED]: what does this course aim to do? What knowledge does it seek to introduce; what skills does it seek to develop; what will the students have acquired or learned by the end of the semester?
CEL: the nature, expected commitment, and transportation possibilities for a CEL component, if appropriate.
Course readings and materials. Are e-books acceptable? Is a specific edition required? Are there any special resources that will be especially valuable for students? Will course materials be available on reserve through Olin Library? Will course materials be available for purchase through the Kenyon bookstore/somewhere else?
Policy on changes to the syllabus: can students expect any changes to the syllabus? If so, what sort of changes? How will students learn about adjustments?
Requirements and Grade Evaluation:
Class requirements and grading standards [REQUIRED]: description of assignments, general rubrics/guidelines for how assignments will be evaluated. Expectations regarding format for written assignments (font, margins, number of pages, as appropriate); style (e.g. Chicago, MLA, perhaps with web address?); method of submission (in class, via Moodle page, etc.). Policy regarding late assignments. Policy regarding assignments not submitted. General expectations for homework per class session. Expectations regarding out-of-class instruction: meetings outside of class, use of office hours, Writing Center, field trips, Moodle discussions, out-of-class screenings, etc. (Consult Kenyon course credit policy for details on college-wide expectations for course work and instructional time outside of class.)
Weighting of class assignments [REQUIRED]: usually given as a percentage or as a number of points for each assignment or for each type of assignment, including participation and presentations.
Expectations for class participation: general rubrics for evaluating class participation; suggestions for achieving good class participation.
Policy on attendance [REQUIRED] with specific information regarding penalties (for example, number of points deducted from final grade) for excessive absences (how many is excessive?). What kinds of absences are excused? Information regarding College policy on excused absences. Information on contacting professor about absences
Statement on Academic Honesty [REQUIRED], specifying some of the more common forms of academic infractions (see “Academic Integrity and Questions of Plagiarism” in Course Catalog). Information on academic honesty as it pertains to your course may be crucial should a case of academic infraction arise. If collaborative work is included in the course, explain the expectations for and limits of collaboration among students. An example of a general statement on Academic Honesty is as follows:
“At Kenyon College we expect all students, at all times, to submit work that represents our highest standards of academic integrity. It is the responsibility of each student to learn and practice the proper ways of documenting and acknowledging those whose ideas and words they have drawn upon (see Academic Honesty and Questions of Plagiarism in the Course Catalog). Ignorance and carelessness are not excuses for academic dishonesty.”
Classroom Policies:
Classroom conduct: Policy on laptop use in class, cell phones, leaving the room during class; guidelines for peer evaluation and general discussion; policy on late assignments (could be repeated here), extensions, and grade disputes.
Communications with professor: expectations of courtesy; email etiquette; expectations of response time to student requests; what to do in case of illness, personal emergencies, etc.; expectations regarding office hours.
Rights and Responsibilities
Statement on Accessibilities Accommodations [REQUIRED]: Please use the header “Accessibilities Accommodations” for this statement. Please be attentive to possible changes in wording for this statement. The recommended language for this statement communicated to faculty at the beginning of this year is as follows:
“A student with a disability who thinks they may need an accommodation to access a campus program, activity, or service should contact Erin Salva in Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) at salvae@kenyon.edu to discuss specific needs. Advance notice is required to review documentation, evaluate accommodation requests and provide notice or arrangements for any accommodation."
Statement on Title IX [Recommended]: Here too, it might be best to model your statement on one of the recommended versions. Please be attentive to possible changes in wording for this statement. The models communicated at the beginning of this academic year were as follows:
2018-19 Sample Responsible Employee Syllabus Statements
A statement in your course syllabus is an excellent way to communicate how you will fulfill your role as a Responsible Employee. If you have questions, comments, etc. please contact either:
Samantha Hughes, Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator: hughess@kenyon.edu or 740-427-5820
Kevin Peterson, Civil Rights & Title IX Deputy Coordinator: peterson2@kenyon.edu or 740-427-5425
Option 1:
Kenyon College seeks to provide an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have experienced any form of harassment/misconduct/assault, interpersonal violence, or stalking we encourage you to report it. If you report the incident to a faculty member, they must notify Kenyon’s Civil Rights & Title IX coordinator of any information about the incident you provide. More information can be found on the following College web pages:
Sexual Misconduct & Harassment Policy: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII:
Discrimination & Discriminatory Harassment Policy:
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/
ADA/504 Student Grievance Procedures:
Option 2:
As a member of the Kenyon College faculty, I am concerned about the well-being and development of students, and am available to discuss any concerns. However, I want you to know that faculty members are legally obligated to share certain information with the College’s Civil Rights & Title IX coordinator. This is to ensure the student’s safety and welfare is being addressed. These disclosures include, but are not limited to: reports of discrimination or harassment due to a protected characteristic, sexual harassment, sexual assault, relational/domestic violence, and stalking.
Option 3:
As a faculty member, I am deeply invested in the well-being of each student I teach. I am here to assist you with your work in this course. If you come to me with non-course-related concerns, I will do my best to help. It is important for you to know that all faculty members are mandated reporters of any incidents of harassment, discrimination, and intimate partner violence and stalking. Meaning, I must report any such discussion to the Civil Rights/Title IX coordinator. I cannot keep information involving sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence, or any other form of harassment or discrimination based on a protected characteristic, confidential. The Health and Counseling Center, the College chaplains, and the staff at New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter & Rape Crisis Center are confidential resources.
Option 4:
We will be studying and/or discussing a number of issues that may cause discomfort or distress. If you wish to speak with me about any readings, assignments or class discussions, please understand that I may be required to report information about sexual misconduct, discrimination, and discriminatory harassment to the Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator. For confidential support, you may contact the following resources: The Health and Counseling Center, the College chaplains, and staff at New Directions Domestic Abuse Shelter & Rape Crisis Center
Option 5:
Kenyon College does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. The requirement of non-discrimination in educational programs and activities extends to employment and admission.
All employees, including faculty, are considered Responsible Employees and must notify the College's Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator with any relevant information.
For further information, please refer to the following Kenyon College policies:
Sexual Misconduct & Harassment: Title IX, VAWA, Title VII:
Discrimination & Discriminatory Harassment Policy (non sex or gender):
https://www.kenyon.edu/directories/offices-services/ocr/discrimination/
ADA & Section 504:
Calendar of readings, class activities, including dates (and times) for submission of assignments. PLEASE NOTE: When scheduling due dates for assignments, please respect grace periods.