best_practices_syllabus.docx
Updated: 1/8/2015
Syllabus Best Practices
The Syllabus is a necessary component to relay information about the purpose of your
course at the start of class, as stated in Quality Matters Standard 1.2, as well as
clear instructions on how to get started and where to find various course components
(QM 1.1). The syllabus should include the following information:
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Course Information
o Title
o Course Number
o Term and Year
Faculty Contact Information
o Name
o Office Location
o Office Phone
o Office Fax
o QM 5.3: Email
o Virtual Office Hours
o Online Course Delivery
General Information
o Course description
o QM 1.6: Course prerequisites
Course Outcomes/Objectives
o QM 2.1: The course learning objectives describe outcomes that are
measurable (see Bloom’s Taxonomy)
o QM 2.3: All learning objectives are stated clearly and written from the
students’ perspective
o QM 2.5: The learning objectives are appropriately designed for the level of
the course
Course Materials (Textbooks, hard/software technology)
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QM 1.1: Required and recommended textbook(s) must be written in the
appropriate citation form, along with the ISBN number.
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QM 1.1: Required technology and/or software must be listed
o QM 1.7: Minimum technical skills expected of the learner are clearly
stated
o QM 6.1 Ensure the tools used in the course support the learning
objectives and competencies and that the (QM 6.2) course tools
promote learner engagement and active learning.
o QM 6.3 Required technologies are readily obtainable, QM 6.4
current, and QM 6.5 include links to privacy policies for all external
required tools.
Online Requirements & Support Resources
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QM 1.5 & 1.7: System & Technical Requirements – Minimum technical
skills expected of the learner are clearly stated
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QM 7.1: Technical Support – Clear description of technical support
resource(s) and how to obtain it.
Course Presentation
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Course Topics (Modules)
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QM 3.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6: Description of Course Graded Activities –
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best_practices_syllabus.docx
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Updated: 1/8/2015
Specific and descriptive criteria are provided for the evaluation of learners’
work and are tied to the course grading policy. (Provide the purpose and
expectations, not specific assignment instructions. Includes rubrics.)
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QM 3.3: Outline of Course Graded Activities – This includes a breakdown
of each assignment with their point values and/or percentage values, and
denotes whether a rubric will be associated with the grading.
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QM 3.2: Course Grading Scale – The course grading policy is stated
clearly
Online Student Support Services
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QM 1.3: Email
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QM 7.4: Library Services
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QM 7.3: Academic Success Center
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QM 7.3: Campus Life
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QM 7.2: Disability Services Office
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QM 7.3: Counseling Services
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QM 7.1: Computer Services Help Desk
Online Course Netiquette
o QM 1.3, 5.3: Expectations for online discussions, email, and other forms of
communication are clearly stated.
QM 1.4: Online Course Policies and Procedures (course, department, college,
and/or institution)
o Attendance and Drop Policy
o Change Policy
o Policy on Make-Ups
QM 1.4: College & Department Policies
QM 1.4: USC Aiken Institution Policies
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Student Handbook
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Drop Policy
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Academic Honor Code
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Academic Code of Conduct
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American with Disabilities Act
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Academic Integrity
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Plagiarism
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Electronic Communication Policy
Copyright Disclaimer
Reminder for Section 508: ADA Compliance/Quality Matters Standard 8:
Accessibility
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Videos with audio should be captioned.
Audio files need to have text transcripts.
Images should include alternative text and/or descriptions.
Hyperlink text should be self-describing.
Color should not be used to convey meaning.
Tables should include row and column headers.
Ensure navigation and multimedia ease of use, alternate means of access to
course materials, accessible information regarding access to all technologies, and
design appropriately for easy readability.
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