Guidelines for Creating a Syllabus Using the LSSU Syllabus Template
The LSSU Syllabus Template is a guide for creating your syllabus. It defines the minimum material that
should be included in the syllabus and contains examples, where appropriate, to help guide your design.
You may add to your syllabus and provide additional information to the students. The following notes
provide information on each section.
1) Header and Footer: Double click in the header/footer to edit those sections. Complete the
information as noted in the template.
2) Prerequisites: Enter the prerequisites for your course here.
3) Instructor(s): Enter the name, office number, phone number, and email address for each instructor.
4) Office Hours: Enter the office hours for each instructor.
5) Required Text(s): Enter the required text(s) for the course.
6) Recommended Text(s): Enter the recommended and optional text(s) for the course.
7) Course Description: Insert the curriculum committee approved course description as listed in the
current university catalog.
8) Learning Outcome Statements: Insert your course-level student learning outcome statements here.
The ABCDs of Learning Outcomes provides one way to help build outcome statements which
communicate the intended student achievement. Additional information on writing student learning
outcomes is available from:
 http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/id/developObjectives.asp
 http://www.pnc.edu/distance/guides/ABCDmodel.pdf
 http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/Core/SLO-MVC.pdf
 http://www.lssu.edu/assessment/resources.php#outcomes
 http://ets.tlt.psu.edu/learningdesign/objectives/writingobjectives
At the conclusion of course FGHI101, a student will be able to:
1. Create …
2. list …
3. describe …
4. analyze…
5. synthesize …
9) General Education Outcome: In 2009, the General Education Committee stated that if your
course has been designated as meeting a general education outcome then you must include that
outcome statement as well as objectives in your syllabus. Outcome statements can be found in the
catalog or retrieved from your School’s General Education Representative. They are also provided
below for ease of incorporation. Specific objectives for the general education component of your
course should follow the same format as noted in the “Course Objectives” section. If your course
is not a General Education Course, then you should delete this entire section from your syllabus.
Communication Outcomes
Analyze, develop, and produce rhetorically complex texts
Communicate competently in a variety of contexts
Humanities Outcome
Analyze, evaluate, and explain human aesthetics and its historical development
Diversity Outcome
View the world from cultural perspectives other than their own
Guidelines for Creating a Syllabus Using the LSSU Syllabus Template
Natural Science Outcome
Incorporate empirical evidence in the analysis of the causes and consequences of natural
phenomena
Social Science Outcome
Think critically and analytically about the causes and consequences of human behavior
Mathematics Outcome
Analyze situations symbolically and quantitatively in order to make decisions and solve
problems
10) Course Weights or Point Values: Provide summary information on how many points are
attributed to each major category of grading (tests, quizzes, final exam, labs, etc) or how evidence
of student achievement and learning will be weighted or averaged in determining the course grade.
11) Grading Scale: Provide the grading scale used for your course. One is listed for reference only.
12) Course Policies: Five policies are listed.
The first policy covers attendance and excused absences. Your syllabus should denote your policy
for attendance and describe how you will handle student absences not approved by LSSU. The
first paragraph of this section can be completely your own. The second paragraph should appear
as noted.
The second policy should describe what you consider cheating. The language provided covers the
LSSU policy. You or your School/College may have additional procedures and policies in place.
You may want to link to this policy:
http://www.lssu.edu/academics/pdfs/Academic%20Integrity%20Policy.pdf
The third policy is the LSSU final exam policy. You are encouraged to include the date of your
final exam here.
The fourth and fifth policies are just suggested items that you choose to include or delete as you
see fit.
Additional policies: Add any additional policy for your class.
13) University Policies and Statements: Leave this section as written – or provide a link to the
policy section of the provost web site: http://www.lssu.edu/provost/forms.php
14) Tentative Course Outline: Include a listing of the tentative topics that will be covered in the
course.
Additional material may be included in your syllabus.