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03:03:01

SYLLABI

I. Master Syllabi

A master syllabus is a document that remains valid over time for use by all faculty who teach a credit course. Master syllabi are developed prior to the approval of each course offered by Pellissippi State and are reviewed periodically as determined by department head and at least every three years. As a minimum, the master syllabus will contain the following:

A. Course prefix, number, and title

B. Class hours, credit hours, and laboratory hours

C. Date developed or revised

D. Catalog course description

E. Entry level standards

A description of the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudinal characteristics considered essential for success in the course. Consider minimum acceptable achievement levels in mathematics, reading, and English. Also consider required level of knowledge in the content area.

F. Prerequisites and/or co-requisites

G. Textbook(s) and other materials basic to the course.

H. Week/Unit/Topic Basis

A systematic and orderly list of activities and/or events that will comprise the total allotted time for the course. The activities, whether based on units or topics, should correspond to the number of weeks in the semester.

I. Course objectives

The objectives of a course should describe learner outcomes that result from the educational experiences provided in the course. Course objectives should be broad in scope and should describe the required level of achievement to be demonstrated by students in terms of knowledge gained, skills mastered, and attitudes or values developed. Statements of course objectives should support, and be directly related to the department's program goals. Program goal reference should be included after course objectives (as indicated by roman numerals representing the program goals for which course objectives provide support).

J. Expectations for student performance

A detailed list of expectations which should include the specific measurable (1) skills, (2) tasks, (3) knowledge, and (4) attitudes (where applicable) that the student will attain or be able to perform upon completion of the course. Overall course objectives should be achieved when instructional expectations are met. As such, there should be multiple instructional expectations to support each course objective. The relationship between expectations for student performance and course objectives should be identified by referencing each statement of expectations to the relevant course objective.

K. Evaluation

The specific evaluation process whereby achievement levels for objectives are determined. Use the following outline where it is applicable. Notation should be made indicating the percentage of the final grade each component will contribute.

1. Testing procedures

Number, type-discussion/objective, cumulative/noncumulative

2. Laboratory expectations

Experiments, reports, etc. Laboratory experiments should be directly related to specific academic activity to reflect theoretical concepts of the course.

3. Field Work

Library papers, surveys, interviews, practicum, attendance at suggested/required events

4. Other evaluation methods

Off-campus evaluation processes, standardized testing, etc.

L. Policies

Policies (e.g., Attendance, Academic and Classroom Misconduct) should be consistent with policies stated in the current Pellissippi State Catalog and Handbook.

II. Maintenance of Master Syllabi

Each department will be responsible for submitting a current master syllabus for each course offered to the coordinator of Curriculum. Faculty should review master syllabi periodically as determined by department head and at least every three years, update as necessary, and include the dates of revision. Courses will be taught in strict accordance with the master syllabus. Any deviation from the master syllabus must be approved by the lead instructor, program coordinator, and department head. The current master syllabus will be placed on the Curriculum Office web site. Any time a master syllabus is revised, the revision must be sent to the coordinator of Curriculum to update the file.

III. Class Syllabi

A class syllabus is based on the master syllabus and provides additional details regarding specific class activities and requirements of an individual instructor. Additional information provided in class syllabi includes:

A. Specific class and instructor information

Days of the week and times the class and/or lab meets; instructor name, room and phone number(s), and office hours

B. Prerequisites and/or co-requisites

Applicable developmental studies requirements may be included to insure proper student placement

C. Textbook(s) and other materials basic to the course

Instructor additions may be included as needed, e.g., reference books available on reserve in the library, graphing paper, notebook for student journals

D. Weeks/Unit/Topic Basis

Master syllabus schedule may be replaced by a Weekly/Daily Schedule derived from the master syllabus outline

E. Evaluation

Specific evaluation methods and course activities should be listed and described as needed. The total points allocated to, and/or the percentage of the final grade accounted for by each activity must be stated.

F. Policies

The attendance policy from the current Catalog and Handbook and/or more stringent requirements of the department/program/discipline may be included. Other polices such as policies on cheating, make-up tests and assignments, consistent with the policies of Pellissippi State, may also be included as needed.

With one exception, all other information contained in the master syllabus must be provided to students in each class syllabus. Expectations for student performance may be omitted from class syllabi; however, if omitted, the class syllabus must provide students with instructions for accessing the master syllabus on the web.

IV. Distribution of Syllabi to Students

A class syllabus or a copy of the master syllabus and a supplement that includes the additional information required for class syllabi will be given to each student enrolled in credit classes.



Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Editorial Changes, October 28, 1992
Reviewed/Recommended: President's Council, September 25, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, September 25, 1995
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 11, 1998
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, August 6, 2001

Approved: President’s Staff, May 15, 2006

Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, May 15, 2006