College of Visual and Performing Arts
Graduate Studies and Academic Advancement
4400 University Drive, MS 3E6, Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-4541
CVPA COURSE SYLLABUS
All CVPA instructors are required to provide students with a printed syllabus during the
first class meeting. A separate syllabus must be submitted for each undergraduate and graduate
cross-lists. In the case of a graduate cross-listing, the graduate syllabus must clearly reflect the
different level of difficulty, the different nature of projects, the different number of credits earned,
and a significant difference in expectations from the undergraduate course.
A course syllabus is essentially a 'contract' between the instructor and the student. It should
contain a course description with clearly stated goals and objectives, grading standards that are
clearly spelled out, and an outline of course requirements for the students.
A course syllabus should contain the following:







General Course Information - Course number and title, number of credits, present
semester, instructor’s name, office hours, telephone number(s) and email address.
Course Description - A narrative description of the course content similar to that
contained in the University Catalog.
Course Objectives - Clearly articulated course objectives that the student is expected to
have achieved upon completion of the course. Course objectives should be closely linked
to all course related materials.
What is the value of the course to the student? And how does this particular course fit
into the student's discipline or general education requirement?
Course Texts & Materials - A list of the required course text(s) with full bibliographic
citation(s), other major readings and any materials and supplies to be used in the course
and where they can be obtained.
Course Requirements - A list of assignments and other requirements (graded and
ungraded) for completion of the course, and a rationale that describes the general purpose
for the requirements. Descriptions of projects, papers, exams, and all other assignments
should contain clear, concise information about the format, length and any other
specifications necessary for successful completion of assigned activities. When possible,
written assignment handouts should be given to all students when an assignment is first
introduced.
Course Expectations - A list clearly outlining the instructor’s expectations concerning
missed exams, absenteeism, class preparation, class participation, assignment due dates,
etc. Regarding attendance policies, the university has adopted a new policy that explicitly
permits you to use student absence from class as a grading criterion. The new policy
reads as follows: “Students are expected to attend the class periods of the courses for
which they register. In-class participation is important not only to the individual student,
but also to the class as a whole. Because class participation may be a factor in grading,
instructors may use absence, tardiness, or early departure as de facto evidence of
nonparticipation. Students who miss an exam with an acceptable excuse may be
penalized according to the individual instructor's grading policy, as stated in the course
syllabus.” (University catalog, p. 35)If you are requiring attendance, you must keep
accurate attendance records that you can produce if students challenge your grade.



Grading Criteria - A grading scale containing relative weight or point distribution for
each assignment/exam or class activity that will be assessed including class participation
efforts. This scale MUST be clear, unambiguous and quantifiable, and you must keep
accurate written records of all elements that you can produce if students challenge your
grade.
A meeting-by-meeting schedule of assignments and due dates- This schedule should be
provided with the syllabus. If you anticipate possible changes to the schedule of
assignments , be sure to state that the schedule is subject to change and note how updates
will be made available (in class, on your website, via e-mail, etc.)
According to the University catalog, all students and faculty are to use their GMU.EDU
email address. Some commercial email addresses may be filtered out of the GMU.EDU
system. No official information can be sent to students unless on the Mason email
system.
Policies and Practices: Information regarding Academic Honesty, Honor Code and
Disabilities are required on all Mason syllabi. Include the following in clear, precise language,
some instructors ask students to sign a form indicating acceptance of the policies:




Policies regarding attendance and participation, definition and measure of participation;
Policy regarding late assignments, make-up exams, and extra credit.
Policy regarding incomplete grades; for example: An incomplete grade (IN) is used only
if the student requests it in writing. An IN counts as a failing grade until completed, and it
automatically turns into an F if a grade is not turned in by the deadline in the Schedule of
Classes.
Policy on electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc)
Academic Integrity: For complete information about the University’s policies on academic
honesty, please see:
http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode/
GMU Honor Code:
Honor Code: To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and
fairness among all members of the George Mason University community and with the
desire for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the
university community, have set forth this honor code: Student members of the George Mason
University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work .
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please
see me and contact the Office of Disability Services at 703.993.2474. All academic
accommodations must be arranged through that office.
Students must inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, and the specific
accommodation will be arranged through ODS.
Encourage students to sign up for the Mason Alert System by visiting the website
https://alert.gmu.edu, and please place this information on course syllabi. Students can also be
reminded that an emergency poster exists in each classroom explaining what to do in the event of
crises and that further information about emergency procedures exists on
http://www.gmu.edu/service/cert . We will distribute a CVPA emergency card to each student.
(Revised 8.1.10)
Provost’s Email, August 17, 2010
SAMPLE SYLLABUS LANGUAGE
(for further ideas on syllabus design, visit
http://cte.gmu.edu/Teaching/getting_started.html#syllabus)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
GMU is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full
description of the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic
integrity is taken very seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic
integrity mean in this course? Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you
will perform that task. When you rely on someone else’s work in an aspect of the
performance of that task, you will give full credit in the proper, accepted form. Another
aspect of academic integrity is the free play of ideas. Vigorous discussion and debate are
encouraged in this course, with the firm expectation that all aspects of the class will be
conducted with civility and respect for differing ideas, perspectives, and traditions. When
in doubt (of any kind) please ask for guidance and clarification.
GMU EMAIL ACCOUNTS
Students must use their Mason email accounts—either the existing “MEMO” system or a
new “MASONLIVE” account to receive important University information, including
messages related to this class. See http://masonlive.gmu.edu for more information.
OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see
me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 993-2474. All academic
accommodations must be arranged through the ODS. http://ods.gmu.edu
OTHER USEFUL CAMPUS RESOURCES:
WRITING CENTER: A114 Robinson Hall; (703) 993-1200;
http://writingcenter.gmu.edu
UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES “Ask a Librarian”
http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html
COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS): (703) 993-2380;
http://caps.gmu.edu
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource for university
policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. Other
policies are available at http://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/. All members of the university
community are responsible for knowing and following established policies.