Model Syllabus Template
Suffolk Law School faculty are welcome to adapt this model syllabus template for their classes.
The blue text provides notes of guidance for you (which should be deleted when you finish
using the template; including this note to you!). The red text is language that you will fill-in or
change based on your own information. The black text should remain as is in your final
syllabus. Instructions to use this template and other useful resources are located on the Center
for Teaching Excellence website under “Teaching and Learning” (www.suffolk.edu/cte).
______________________________________________________________________________
Course Number – Course Title
Semester, Year
Instructor Information
Instructor: name
Email:
email
Phone:
office phone
Office:
office location
Office Hours: office hours
Homepage: (optional)
Course Information
Meetings: time/day
Location: building/room
Prerequisites: Add prerequisites here
Credit Hours: Enter number of credit hours here
[Note on Credit Hour guideline: This course should follow the Federal Government’s Credit
Hour definition: An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by
evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalent that reasonably
approximates no less than:
(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of
class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester
hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount
of work over a different amount of time; or
(2) At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other
academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships,
clinics, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
In keeping with expectations of excellence appropriate at Suffolk Law School, it is expected that
the academic work required of our students may exceed the three hours per credit per week
minimum set out in the Federal regulation.]
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Textbook/Course Materials
List required texts and materials here (e.g. textbooks, readings, clickers, etc.).
Course Management System Add reference to course management system (Campus Cruiser
and/or Blackboard) and any details regarding use of the system to support your course (e.g.,
checking for relevant news, assignments or updates).
Course Description
Add course description here.
Course Goals & Learning Objectives [We strongly recommend using this table of goals
and objectives in your syllabus.]
GOALS
Upon successful completion
of this course, students will
know/understand:
Include broad course goals
in this column using the
verbs “know” and
“understand”
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion
of this course, students will
be able to:
Include skills that students will
learn through the course in
this column
ASSESSMENTS
How the student will be
assessed on these learning
objectives:
Include examples such as
assignments, group
presentations, discussions, etc.
in this column
Add more lines as needed
[Faculty: this table assures that your course is “instructionally aligned” – that you measure what
students practice/learn and you have students practice/learn what you define as course goals.
Instructional alignment is the single best predictor of both student learning and student ratings. If
you come up with an empty cell or leftover course components, then the course is not aligned. For
examples of course goals and learning objectives and tips for how to write them, see
www.suffolk.edu/cte and click on “Teaching and Learning” then on “Tips for writing course goals
and learning objectives.”]
Assignments/Exams/Papers/Projects
Students will be evaluated in the following areas: Briefly describe assignments and assignment
weights, if any.
[Faculty: we propose including this phrase if your course collects any assignments.] Select
assignments in this course might be used by Suffolk University for accreditation and institutional
assessment purposes and will be handled confidentially.
Grading/Evaluation
[Faculty: you need to inform students of the factors that will be considered in determining grades
and the specific weight to be assigned. If you have a penalty for late work, include it here. For
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examples of grading/evaluation descriptions, see www.suffolk.edu/cte.] Describe grading details
here.
Course Policies
[Faculty: Over time a syllabus can become filled with rules and can discourage a positive course
environment. Be sure you ask for the behavior you want to see, not just the behavior you don’t
want. Don’t create any policies you aren’t willing to implement. Inconsistencies in the following
policies lead to student complaints.] Describe any relevant course policies here.
Accommodations
If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course due to the impact
of a disability, it is important that you contact the Law School’s Dean of Student Office for
further information and assistance, including information on disability-related
accommodations. We can then plan how best to coordinate any accommodations.
Participation/Attendance Policy
Please include your attendance policy for the class consistent with Suffolk Law School’s
attendance policy. [Faculty: You may want to use the word “participation” instead of the
word “attendance” as a student can attend without being present/learning from the class.
Also, consider including an inclement weather statement like the following:] In the event that
the University cancels classes, such as for severe weather, students are expected to continue
with readings as originally scheduled. Any assignments scheduled during those missed
classes, such as an exam or paper, are due at the next class meeting unless other instructions
are posted at the course website or communicated via email.
[The following are policies that you might wish to include in your syllabus
– including them is at your option]
Academic Integrity Policy
[Faculty: It is your responsibility to discourage academic dishonesty through word and deed.
Academic dishonesty should be reported to the Dean of Students.]
Cheating on examinations, plagiarism and/or improper acknowledgment of sources in essays
or research papers, and the use of a single essay or paper in more than one course, without
the permission of the instructor, constitute unacceptable academic conduct. Student work
may be checked by plagiarism detection software. A student who is suspected of violating
this rule will be directed to the Dean of Students, who will arrange a hearing before the Law
School’s Administrative/Disciplinary Committee to determine if the charges have merit and
consider appropriate sanctions. The sanctions may include a grade of “F” in the course,
suspension, enforced withdrawal, dismissal from the Law School, or appropriate lesser
penalties if warranted by the circumstances.
Teaching Methods
I will use different teaching methods throughout the course. I will provide guidance on the
material we study in each class, engage in a question and answer format with you to highlight
and analyze important points in your text and supplementary materials, and have you work
on problems. I will expect you to have extracted the law (and any policy motivating the law)
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in advance of class so that we can use some of our class time applying what you have
mastered from the reading to new factual settings. This method gives you an opportunity to
engage in a process that attorneys employ every day. At various points in the course, I will
have you work with other classmates, just as you will one day regularly discuss legal issues
with your colleagues.
Classroom Etiquette
I encourage you to ask questions during class. Your questions are helpful to the learning
process for all. However, I may defer answers to questions until after class or to the next
class in the interests of time or for other reasons. Learning is a collaborative process. To
increase the prospect that all of you will learn in a comfortable environment, I expect you to
be in class on time, treat each other with respect, and avoid distractions from the subject
matter at hand. To that end, you may bring and use your laptops for class-related purposes
only. You may not use the Internet for any purpose without my express permission. All cell
phones and other electronic devices must be turned off.
Stress, substance abuse, and depression
As a law student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning,
such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, and/or
lack of motivation. These concerns or other stressful events may lead to diminished academic
performance or may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. Suffolk University
services are available to assist in addressing these and other concerns students may be
experiencing. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health
services
available
on
campus
at
the
following
website:
http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/989.html
Course Schedule
[Faculty: Provide students with a list of dates that the course is meeting and related readings and
assignments that you would like students to complete before coming to class. The generic
statement in red reminds students about possible changes.]
The schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the
event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better student
learning.
Week (with Date)
General Topic
Reading Assignment/Other
Assignment
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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10
11
12
13
14
Final Exam Date & Time
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