Requirements
DOPS I:16:00 and I:16:02 requires that students receive basic information, including clear, concise, and appropriate grading policies during the first week of class. Copies must be supplied to the department chair and Dean's office during the first week of class. The following sections must be included:
ATTENDANCE
- Indicate what constitutes attendance and/or active participation within your course.
- Indicate the specific consequences of unexcused absences and/or inactive participation from the course (e.g., lower grades, request for explanation, expectation that the work will be made up, or action consistent with the total course performance, etc.).
COURSE FORMAT
- Indicate course format (e.g., lecture, discussion, group work, field work, etc.).
- Specify course requirements (e.g., texts, software, hardware, equipment, prerequisite skills, assignments, field work, etc.).
- Include a description of course assignments and a tentative schedule of topics and due dates.
- Indicate instructional method (e.g., traditional, hybrid, hybrid plus online—synchronous and/or asynchronous sessions).
- Indicate when the course meets.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
EVALUATION
Indicate the basis on which the grade in the course will be assigned and the relative weight of each (e.g., tests, number and frequency), course work, written work, performance of outside activity (number of hours and location), instructor assessment, etc., as appropriate. Further, indicate a grading scale (i.e., A– E) including +/- grades, if appropriate
Regardless of the instructional method of your course (traditional, online, hybrid), consider including language that addresses evaluation components that go beyond those listed above (i.e., tests, written work).
For example:
- Academic integrity and how it may be assessed can be accessed via DOPS Policy No. I:17:03
- The format and submission process for assignments (quizzes, tests, papers, discussions, projects, etc.)
- The process for how missed or late work is addressed, whether it is due to illness, technical difficulties, etc.
- The procedure for announcing course changes
- The process for grade distribution, including the use of a learning management system (e.g., a Brightspace “gradebook”), in compliance with FERPA
- Grading/evaluation rubrics or assignment guidelines
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Include here any other information that will help the student understand what is expected of him or her and what may be expected of the course and instructor.
For example:
- Religious holidays
- Military leave
- Medical absences
- Technical issues (e.g., what students should do if the learning system is down or currently not available)
- Alternative materials (Where students might purchase alternative materials and the availability of alternative resources on the Open SUNY Affordable Learning Solutions website)
- A statement about procedures regarding disruptive students [See Faculty Handbook Section 5 Instruction Policies and Procedures]
- Ethical standards
- A statement on accommodations for students
TEMPLATE AND OTHER RESOURCES
