SYLLABUS FOR COURSE REQUIRED

All faculty must prepare a written syllabus for each course they teach each semester. The syllabus must be given to each student in the course at the first class meeting if possible or upon admission of the student to the class. The syllabus may be distributed in print or electronically. Syllabi shall contain, as a minimum, the following information:

Name of the instructor.
Title and number of the course.
Name or titles of all textbooks and materials to be purchased or obtained by the student as requirements for the course.
List of all other materials or reading lists required for the course.
An outline of the subject as the instructor plans to cover it in the course.
An explanation and description of the grading system used in the course that covers all matters and methods of grading to be used in the course, i.e., tests, papers, participation, etc.
A statement of the class or lab attendance policy or rules in the course and the effect that attendance has on grades.
A brief statement of the major objective of the course.
Instructor's office number, office phone number, and the hours of normal availability.
The actual meeting days, times, and place for the class or lab. Laboratories may be incorporated into the course outline or issued a separate outline at the instructor's option.
Prior to mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic performance in this course. (Approved by Academic Council, January 2003; modified by Academic Affairs in consultation with the Executive Committee of the University Senate, February 2009).

Amendments to the course outline, such as changes to topics, readings, and/or the dates that these are addressed, shall be promptly provided to the students in written or electronic form. Amendments to stated course policies, such as grading and attendance polices, may only be made with prior approval of the department chairperson. A copy of the syllabus (and any later amendments) shall be kept on file in the departmental office. Course syllabi are required for each course taught, graduate or undergraduate, on or off campus.

If student participation is part of a course grade, this fact should be noted in the course syllabus and students should reasonably expect to be notified of this grade upon request.

Required Statements that must be attached to Course Syllabus

Religious Observance Policy

Students are permitted to miss class in observance of religious holidays and other activities observed by a religious group of which the student is a member without academic penalty. Exercising of one’s rights under this policy is subject to the GC Honor Code. Students who miss class in observance of a religious holiday or event are required to make up the coursework missed as a result from the absence. The nature of the make-up assignments and the deadline for completion of such assignments are at the sole discretion of the instructor. Failure to follow the prescribed procedures voids all student rights under this policy.

Assistance for Student Needs Related to Disability

If you have a disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and physical accessibility. Disability Services, a unit of the GCSU Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GCSU programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, we recommend that you contact Disability Services located in Maxwell Student Union at 478-445-5931 or 478-445-4233.

Student Opinion Surveys statement

Given the technological sophistication of Georgia College students, the student opinion survey is being delivered through an online process. Your constructive feedback plays an indispensable role in shaping quality education at Georgia College. All responses are completely confidential and your name is not stored with your responses in any way. In addition, instructors will not see any results of the opinion survey until after final grades are submitted to the University. An invitation to complete the online opinion survey is distributed to students near the end of the semester. Your participation in this very important process is greatly appreciated.

Academic Honesty

The integrity of students and their written and oral work is a critical component of the academic process. The submission of another’s work as one’s own is plagiarism and will be dealt with using the procedures outlined in the GC Catalog. Remember that allowing another student to copy one’s own work violates standards of academic integrity.

Fire Drills

Fire drills will be conducted annually. In the event of a fire alarm, students will exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit. Learn the floor plan and exits of the building. Do not use elevators. If you encounter heavy smoke, crawl on the floor so as to gain fresh air. Assist disabled persons and others if possible without endangering your own life. Assemble for a head count on the front lawn of main campus or other designated assembly area.

Suggested Best Practices for Course Syllabus

Although the following items are not required, good practice suggests considering whether the following topics need to be developed and addressed in course syllabi.

Health and Safety Information Pertinent to the course: While health and safety issues vary according to discipline, it is wise to include these in the course syllabus.

Clarity with Course Grade Calculation

Using the stated grading system (#6, Syllabus for Course Required), any two people outside the course looking at the course items graded by the instructor, combined with any attendance policy that affects a grade (7), and any participation grade (11) should arrive at identical course grades.

Clarity with Participation Grades

If student participation is part of a course grade, this fact should be noted in the course syllabus and students should reasonably expect to be notified of this grade upon request. Good practice suggests we go further: if participation is a graded requirement, there should be a clear explanation in the course syllabus that defines what is expected and how participation will be evaluated. As for any element of a course grade, documentary evidence of participation should guide the assignment of the grade.

Turnitin

This course (or section) uses plagiarism prevention technology. Students have the option of submitting papers online through a plagiarism prevention service or allowing the instructor to submit hard copies of these papers. The papers may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.

Class Attendence Policy

Although it is recognized that absences will sometimes be necessary, students are expected to attend classes regularly. It is the responsibility of students to be cognizant of their own record of absences and to consult the instructor regarding work missed. The decision to permit students to make up work rests with the instructor. At any time during the semester an instructor has the right to assign a grade of F for excessive absences when a student exceeds the number of allowable absences specified in the instructor’s attendance policy distributed to the student in the instructor’s course syllabus. If a student is representing the University in an official capacity, as verified on a list released from the Office of the Provost, the instructor will not penalize the student for those absences. However, students should consult their instructor before anticipated absences.

Students who wish to have their instructors notified of a medical or family emergency necessitating their absence from classes, or who wish to provide documentation in support of a request for excused absences, make-up work, or grades of "W" or "I" due to an emergency, may contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Student Affairs staff will inform students about procedures, assist with communication to instructors, receive and file documentation, and advise students regarding their own self-advocacy; however, the final determination of excused absences, make-up classwork, and grading is determined by the instructor. Approved University Senate, 2010

OFFICE HOURS, POSTING

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS