University of Wisconsin | OSHKOSH | University Studies Program
Quest I Syllabus Checklist: Syllabi for Fall 2013
Proposer’s Name:
Department:
Quest I Signature Question (choose one):
Intercultural Knowledge
Sustainability
Civic Knowledge and Engagement
This checklist includes elements that must appear in all Quest I syllabi. Please use this list as a guide
as you finish your syllabi, and be sure to email usp@uwosh.edu if you have any questions. We look
forward to receiving your contribution!
The following elements are expected in ALL Quest I syllabi:
Introduction/Explanation of Liberal Education and the University Studies Program
Introduction/Explanation of ALL THREE UW Oshkosh Signature Questions
Explanation of Early Alert grading process and rationale
Introduction/Explanation of the ePortfolio
Expectation for Attendance at events or co-curricular activities (class and peer mentor)
Inclusion of academic resources relevant to first-year students
Meetings with students (individually or in small groups)
Quest Writing and Speaking Courses ONLY: An explanation of the role of the
Information Literacy Librarian and other available resources
Questions/Comments related to Quest I requirements:
Rev. 6/13/2012
1
University of Wisconsin | OSHKOSH | University Studies Program
The following information pertains to the Signature Question expectations for the syllabus.
Intercultural Knowledge: For Quest I courses with the Signature Question related to Intercultural
Knowledge and Competence, include the elements listed below in your syllabus. For additional
information on the Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Signature Question, please see the
USP Teaching Resources site: http://www.uwosh.edu/grants/cetl/resources/usp-teachingresources/SQ-intercultural
The Signature Question: How do people understand and bridge cultural differences?;
The definition of Intercultural Knowledge and Competence: Intercultural knowledge and competence
is the understanding of one's own culture as well as cultures beyond one's own; the recognition of the cultural
values and history, language, traditions, arts, and social institutions of a group of people; the ability to negotiate
and bridge cultural differences in ways that allow for broader perspectives to emerge; and the skill to investigate a
wide range of world views, beliefs, practices, and values.
A course description that includes central concepts of the SQ which will be taught over the
semester and an explanation of the importance of the SQ to an incoming student;
A statement answering the question that many incoming students are asking: Why a Liberal Arts
education, and why now?;
A list of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will be taught in the course that, at the least,
include those central to the AAC&U VALUE rubric on Intercultural Knowledge and
Competence;
An explanation of the first early assessment assignment and its importance to student learning
and inclusion of the assignment’s due date on the schedule, even if it is an in-class assessment
(needs to be assigned within the first 2 weeks of the course);
An introduction to the ePortfolio and an explanation of why an assignment on the SQ must be
uploaded to it; and
An acknowledgment within the syllabus that the course will provide actual experiences of
cultural differences for students and a forum for discussing those experiences (it is not
necessary to know exactly what form these experiences will take at this time but the student
should be made aware of the importance of them to his/her learning about the SQ).
Sustainability: During the workshop on May 22-24 the Sustainability Quest I working group
confirmed that the elements below will be part of every course offered under this Signature
Question. Please see the USP Teaching Resources site on sustainability for question text,
definitions, and other related information: http://www.uwosh.edu/grants/cetl/resources/uspteaching-resources/SQ-sustainability
Course should introduce student to the sustainability learning outcome we use at UW Oshkosh
Course should introduce students to a definition of sustainability
Course should introduce students to the three “pillars” of sustainability and the connections
between them, but courses only need to focus primarily on one pillar (although more than one
is certainly encouraged!). NOTE: Disciplinary courses bear more responsibility for introducing
students to definitions and pillars of sustainability than Quest Writing (WBIS) or Quest
Speaking (Comm 111) courses, although all instructors must include sustainability in their
course
Rev. 6/13/2012
2
University of Wisconsin | OSHKOSH | University Studies Program
Instructors are encouraged to integrate sustainability fully into their course, but the minimum
requirement is that 25% of the learning goals and assessments for the course pertain to
sustainability
The sustainability signature question should be included in the syllabus, and the course
description on syllabus should mention sustainability
Specific learning goals/outcomes for the course (including those related to sustainability)
should be listed on the syllabus
At least one sustainability assessment/artifact from the course will be uploaded to the student’s
ePortfolio
Civic Knowledge and Engagement: The Civic Knowledge and Engagement (CKE) working
group has compiled a list of elements required in ALL CKE syllabi. The required elements appear
below; please see the USP Teaching Resources site for question text, definitions, and Musil’s list of
outcomes: http://www.uwosh.edu/grants/cetl/resources/usp-teaching-resources/SQ-civicknowledge/sq-civic-engagement-resources .
The text of the Signature Question must be contained in the syllabus
The definition of Civic Knowledge and Civic Engagement must be included in the syllabus (see
USP Teaching Resources site for full definition)
Course descriptions contained in the syllabus will mention Civic Knowledge and/or Civic
Engagement
At least TWO of the expected course outcomes which are assessed and listed in the syllabus
will be from the list of “Outcomes” offered by Caryn McTighe Musil (see USP Teaching
Resources site for full list of outcomes [PDF])
At least one CKE artifact will be uploaded and assessed in each student’s ePortfolio
There will be at least ONE assessed exercise within the first 2-3 weeks of the course.
Questions/Comments related to Signature Question requirements:
Rev. 6/13/2012
3