Policies and Procedures Manual

Chapter 2: Academics

02:07:00   Course Syllabus

Faculty members are responsible for developing a syllabus for each course taught. The course syllabus is one of the basic documents to which students, faculty, and administration refer for specific information on a course. For this reason, the importance of a syllabus cannot be overstated. The syllabus forms the recognized record of what is conveyed in a course. Each academic division is responsible for the revision and maintenance of course syllabi for that division and copies of the division’s course syllabi are available in the division office and on the campus network.

Each student should receive a copy of the course syllabus with these minimum elements:

  1. Course number, name, and credit hours
  2. Approved catalog description (current with most recent catalog)
  3. TBR General Education Learning Outcomes (University Parallel Syllabi)
  4. Prerequisites (current with most recent catalog)
  5. Corequisites (current with most recent catalog)
  6. Required and optional text and required supplementary materials
  7. Library Learning Resources
  8. Instructional methods
  9. Evaluation methods
  10. Grading scale
  11. Course objectives/Student Learning Outcomes. These should be written in measurable terms and should be consistent with the instructional and evaluation methods.
  12. Course content. A listing of the general topics to be covered in the course in a chronological format.
  13. Required institutional statements:
     
    1. Classroom Management Policy: The instructor has the primary responsibility for the control over classroom/laboratory behavior and maintenance of academic integrity and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct violating the general rules and regulations of the College. Extended or permanent exclusion from the classroom/laboratory or further disciplinary action can be affected only through appropriate procedures of the College. Any electronic communication device such as pagers, cellular phones, etc. must either be turned off or set so it will not interrupt the class.
    2. Plagiarism statement: Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.
    3. Accommodations for students with disabilities statement: In order for the College to make reasonable accommodations for students with documented or temporary disabilities, the student must contact Accessibility Services. Students who have been approved to receive reasonable accommodations will present a Faculty Accommodation Form to each instructor during the first week of classes. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, the following: extended time on tests, alternative test location, interpreter services, and adaptive software. Students must request accommodations for each semester. Testing accommodations must be arranged with each instructor and Accessibility Services prior to the scheduled test date. No accommodations will be provided without approval from Accessibility Services.
    4. Statement of policy regarding children on campus: Campus policy prohibits bringing children to classrooms or labs.
    5. General attendance statement: Students are expected to follow the attendance policy as described by each instructor.
    6. Emergency Evacuation Statement: In case of any building evacuation, students are to proceed under the direction of their instructor to the nearest exit in an orderly manner. The nearest exit for this classroom location is __________. To ensure your safety, everyone will move to __________ (each instructor is to identify the nearest exit for each classroom and the designated safe area). No one is allowed to re-enter the building until official notification is given.
    7. Technology Statement: Students will need access to a personal device meeting the following minimum capabilities: 

Device Requirements 

  • Academic Departments will determine utilization in the classroom and may require additional capabilities. Any additional program- and/or division-specific requirements will be outlined on course syllabi as well as available through the division office.
  • The device must have 'Wi-Fi' capabilities.
  • The device must be able to access the NeSCC network including all websites and the Student Service Portal for registration, library services, etc.
  • The device must be able to access the current LMS (D2L-BrightSpace) in which students may access their course work, upload and download from the LMS, and send and receive emails within the LMS.
  • The device must be able to access and operate the Chrome browser in order to access 'web- based eTextbooks, videos, apps, and other digital content.
  • The device must be able to operate a word processing program.
  • The device must have a camera.
  • The device must have audio and earphone features and capabilities.
  • The device must be able to perform such functions as displaying eTextbooks, sending and receiving emails outside of the LMS, composing/writing papers, etc. 

In addition to the standard information above, each student should receive an Instructor’s Syllabus Addendum with the minimum elements listed below. The addendum will be submitted to the academic dean for review and approval. Copies of this document will be kept on file in the appropriate division office. 

  1. Semester and year
  2. Instructor name, office number, office hours, extension number, and campus e-mail. Adjunct instructors should inform students of how they may be contacted in lieu of specific office hours and office number.
  3. Instructor attendance/makeup policy.
  4. Other instructor or class policies not included in the standard course syllabus.


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Divisional Review Responsibilities Checklist: Academic Affairs

Revision History: Aug. 2002; June 2003; Sept. 2010; March 2011; Revised Aug. 2020