POLICY #6.36
SUBJECT: Course Syllabus

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to provide uniform guidelines to faculty in the development of course syllabi and to assist faculty with identifying the resources and relevant policies supporting course syllabi and curriculum development.

II. REFERENCES

Southern Utah University Policy 6.0 Definition of Faculty
Southern Utah University Policy 6.28 Faculty Professional Responsibility
Southern Utah University Policy 6.33 Academic Integrity
Utah System of Higher Education Policy R470 General Education

III. DEFINITIONS

Course Syllabus: A required document and course tool that allows Faculty to communicate to students essential course information, expected learning outcomes, assessments, student expectations, and overview of course content.

IV. POLICY

Scope
1. This policy helps faculty create syllabi that enable students to find relevant information in courses across various departments and programs at SUU. Faculty shall include clearly articulated learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Faculty must clearly explain to students how the instructor will assess their work by showing the connection between assignments and learning outcomes. Faculty must also provide the rationale for the grading methodology they employ in the class.
  The syllabus plays a part in helping departments assess the program learning outcomes and, when applicable, the general education learning outcomes.
Process and Syllabus Content
1. Faculty shall provide students with an electronic or hard copy of the Course Syllabus no later than the first day of class.
2. Each Course Syllabus must include the following information, and Faculty may adapt Course Syllabi to specific needs of each course and to their own style:
  1. Course information: prefix, number, title, description, credit hours, and pre-requisites or co-requisites (if any);
  2. Meeting time and location: days of the week, time of day, and where the course meets;
  3. Instructor information: instructor's name, office (room) number if one has been assigned, office hours, email, and any other preferred contact information.
  4. Required and recommended texts and materials;
  5. Course Learning Outcomes: What Faculty expect students to know, understand, and be able to do upon completion of the course. Learning outcomes should include general education learning outcomes, as outlined in USHE Policy R470, for general education-designated courses;
  6. Assessment/Evaluation/Grading: A clear explanation of how student achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed and evaluated, including a brief description of each major course requirement (e.g., examinations, papers, projects, presentations, and other assignments) and how these assessments will be used to determine final grades;
  7. Course Outline or Topics: A brief summary of what each major section of the course will cover.
  8. Faculty policies on late assignments and/or makeup work;
  9. Attendance/Participation policy: description of attendance policy for synchronous courses and/or participation policy for asynchronous courses;
  10. Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy: Faculty must explain the extent to which students may use AI tools and resources.
3. The statements for the following are required in the Course Syllabi and will be made available to all Faculty by the Provost’s Office:
  1. ADA statement;
  2. Academic credit;
  3. Academic freedom;
  4. Academic misconduct;
  5. Non-discrimination statement;
  6. Pregnancy statement;
  7. Mandatory reporting (e.g., Title IX);
  8. Emergency Management statement;
  9. HEOA Compliance statement;
  10. Disclaimer statement.
4. Additional required elements if applicable to a course:
  1. Statement of fees associated with the course, which may include course, program, college/school, and technology fees, if not included in the course description;
  2. Required extra- or co-curricular activities, if applicable;
  3. Statement of safety or risk assumption in courses requiring laboratories, physical activity, travel or field trips, if applicable.
5. Optional items:
  1. References (library reserve and supplemental information);
  2. Schedule of homework, assignments, and project due dates.
  3. Faculty policies on objectionable materials including notification procedures for course content that may be deemed objectionable by some students. When such materials are integral to course objectives, disciplinary standards, or accreditation requirements, Faculty may provide advance notice and clearly explain the academic rationale for their inclusion the curriculum;
  4. Description of additional information unique to the class or Faculty member;
  5. Grading/assessment rubrics; and
  6. Additional syllabus statements as appropriate such as:
    1. LINK statement
    2. SUUSA statement
    3. Thriving Thunderbirds
    4. Writing Center
    5. Zoom Etiquette, etc.

V. RELEVANT FORMS/LINKS

VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE

The responsible office for this Policy is the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. For questions about syllabi, contact the Office of the Provost. For questions about General Education Learning Outcomes, contact the General Education Committee.

VII. POLICY ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT DATES

Date Approved: March 22, 2002

Amended: June 11, 2010; August 26, 2010; February 1, 2013; February 19, 2026

POLICY #6.36 SUBJECT: Course Syllabus