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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
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