2025-2026 Syllabi Guide - Faculty Commons

The Importance of a Clear Course Syllabus

The course syllabus serves as a foundational document for organizing and communicating essential course information to students. It includes course objectives, student learning outcomes, assessment and grading criteria, grading policies, university and class policies, and student responsibilities. In essence, the syllabus acts as a contract between faculty and students, outlining expectations for the course.

Your syllabus should contain both required elements and recommended components designed to support student success. While it must include key institutional and course-specific information, it should also reflect your individual teaching style, personality, and the unique details of your course.

The essential components that must be included in every syllabus are listed below, along with additional recommended elements that can enhance the student-learning experience.

Note: In addition to university-wide policies and procedures, some requirements may vary by college or department. To ensure your syllabus is accurate and up to date, Faculty Commons recommends consulting with your college or department for any program-specific guidelines.

Required Syllabi Components

*A written/typed (paper or electronic) syllabus must be distributed for each course section, regardless of delivery format, during the first week of classes. The following information must be included in every course syllabus:

Course Prefix: course number, section, title, location, and date/time
Instructor Contact Information: office location/hours, phone number, and email address
Course Description: prerequisite courses that matches the course description in the catalog
Course Objectives: must flow logically into the Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes: directly aligned with the course objectives and clearly state what students are expected to learn upon successful completion of the course; each outcome must be assessed every semester using an appropriate evaluation method or instrument
Grading Details: clear and simple grading scheme with instructions on how to access current grades on Canvas
Required Materials: all required texts, materials, software, supplies, etc.
Class Meeting Details: class meeting schedule or calendar, including information about classroom rotation, if applicable
Attendance Guidelines: detailed attendance policy
Preferred Method of Communication for Students: communication policy/preferences for students/instructor(s)
Student Meeting Hours (Office Hours): clearly list weekly availability for scheduled meeting hours with students, including specific days, times, and locations (building and room number). Indicate whether meetings will be held in person, online (include a link if applicable), or both. Also, explain your preferred process for scheduling or attending office hours (e.g., drop-in, appointment only, or email in advance)
Late Assignments and Makeup Work: clear policy statement regarding late work and makeup assignments

Required University Policies and Statements

*You are no longer required to include the full text of university academic policies within your course syllabi. Instead, all official university policies will be housed centrally on the JSU Academic Affairs website and linked directly within all Canvas course shells for easy student access. This includes statements/policies regarding Academic Honesty, Student Success Center, Campus Resources for Writing, Disability Resources, Military Connected Students, Title IX, AI, Student Laptops, Labs/Studios with Chemical Components.

To ensure students are informed about university policies, faculty should include the following standardized policy statement in all syllabi beginning in Fall 2025:

All official university academic policies are housed on the JSU website and apply to every student each semester. These policies are essential to your academic success and must be reviewed. You can access them by visiting https://www.jsu.edu/academicaffairs/academicpolicies/index.html or through the “Academic Policies” link included in your Canvas course.

Highly Suggested Content for All Syllabi

In addition to the required elements, faculty are encouraged to consider including the following recommended content in their syllabi. These suggested additions can enhance clarity, support student success, and reflect your unique teaching style and course structure.

Counseling Resources: As a college student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with academic performance and/or negatively impact daily life. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, please contact Counseling Services at 256.782.5475 for more information or to request an appointment. Students may also stop by the Counseling Center at 147 Trustee Circle (located between Sparkman and Mason Halls) to request services. Additionally, the office offers self-help resources to explore ways students can independently support their mental health. In the event of a crisis after hours, please contact the University Police Department at 256.782.5050 to be connected with the on-call counselor. The National Suicide Prevention hotline (988) is another resource and is available 24 hours a day. You may also reach out to Crisis Text by texting 741 741 where you will be connected to a trained responder.
RMC/JSU Student Health Center: The RMC/JSU Health Center at Jacksonville State University is located at 1701 Pelham Rd South. It is a primary healthcare facility operated via a joint partnership with Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center (RMC). With no co-pay, they provide outpatient medical services as well as promote preventive health measures to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. Appointments are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome as long as the schedule permits. Please note that certain visits are “appointment only.” See website for details. *If you should have an urgent need during hours when the Health Center is closed, you should dial 911 or contact University Police DepartmentLinks to an external site. (UPD) at (256) 782-5050.

https://www.jsu.edu/studenthealth/index.html

Alternative or Optional Text/Materials/Software Information: In addition to listing required course materials, include any alternative formats you will permit in your course (e.g., eBooks, audiobooks, etc.). When applicable, also list supplemental resources that may support student success.
Additional Technology Preferences: Include a list of the technology that is discouraged or allowable/encouraged in your classroom (e.g., recording devices, cell phones, etc.).
Cocky Watch App: Include the link for the Campus safety app. https://www.jsu.edu/police/emergencymgt/safetyapp.html
Class Expectations: Detail expectations of your students and expectations they may have for you.
Assignment Details: List all assignments with attached point values, explanations of assignment expectations, and grading rubrics.
Important Dates: Include all scheduled exams, quizzes, assignment due dates, trips, performances, etc., so students can plan accordingly.
Tips for Success: Share tips for success with your students.
Syllabus Disclaimer: Make sure to include a disclaimer that your syllabus and schedule are subject to change with notification to students.

Syllabi Information for All Courses with Online Components

Required Equipment, Programs, or Software: Any specific requirements for courses with online components—such as reliable internet access, a webcam, or specialized software—should be clearly outlined in the syllabus. **See the example at the bottom of the page, adapted from Dr. Amy Franklin’s course, which demonstrates how to communicate the requirements for the use of Honorlock to students.
System Requirements for Online Courses: Information or a link to information on system requirements for taking an online class. https://www.jsu.edu/online/current-students/index.html
Online Support Links: Information or a link to information for online support. https://www.jsu.edu/online/help.html

Other Important Information to Consider When Creating Syllabi

Attendance Verification: Students must be confirmed as attending their courses each term to receive federal aid. If a student is not confirmed as attending a course, financial aid could be removed from their account. Instructors will receive an email reminder for attendance verification each semester with the deadline listed.

Attendance verification should be submitted during the first week of class.

If a student is late added into a course, their attendance still must be verified using the same process.

The attendance verification platform will begin/open on the first day of classes. See this link for details: Frequently Asked Questions - Financial Aid (jsu.edu)

Academic Calendar: Please check the Academic Calendar for important academic dates. Academic Calendar - Office of the Registrar (jsu.edu)
FERPA: To be an informed educator, please review FERPA guidelines.
Maintaining Records: Note that faculty are responsible for retaining all student records for all courses for at least three years. You may want to consider downloading Canvas course content at the conclusion of each semester and saving it to OneDrive. For assistance with this, please contact Online@JSU.

Tips for Going Over Syllabi with Students

Syllabi Class Discussion: Dedicate time during the first week of class to review the syllabus with students, highlighting key policies, assignments, and expectations. Ensure the syllabus is easily accessible via Canvas. If you provide a paper copy, let students know where they can access a digital version in case, they misplace it. Consider recording a brief video overview of the syllabus and posting it to Canvas for students to reference throughout the term.
Encourage Syllabi Interaction and Acknowledgement: Consider incorporating a brief activity during the first week that encourages students to reflect on course policies, expectations, and their own learning strategies. This can be done individually through written responses or in small group discussions. Guiding questions may include:
– Which assignments appear most important?
– Which assignments might be most challenging, and why?
– Why is regular attendance required?
– How do you plan to stay prepared for this class?
This activity helps students engage more deeply with the syllabus and promotes intentional learning from the start. You may consider giving a syllabi quiz or having students sign a syllabus acknowledgment agreement during the first week of class as a means of documenting understanding of the course.
Refer to Syllabi Regularly: Refer back to the syllabus regularly to help students see how the course progresses and how one assignment connects to the next. Use the schedule to remind students of upcoming topics, preparation expectations, and participation guidelines. Highlight relevant student learning objectives—what they should be working toward or what they should have already achieved. Reference grading guidelines, attendance policies, etc. Regularly. This practice not only reinforces key information but also models how students can use the syllabus as a tool to stay organized and engaged in their own learning.

Sample Syllabi:

Coming soon

**Online Component Honorlock Statement from Dr. Amy Franklin, Associate Professor of Mathematics:

Honorlock Exam Rules

An appropriate workspace is required. An appropriate workspace is a table or desk that has enough room, so the webcam can, at all times, view the student’s workspace as well as their hands and face. Students will need to sit at a table or desk that has enough room so they can sit back or to the side of their computer to allow the webcam to view their workspace (i.e. hands, face, scratch paper being used, etc.). If you need to, you can enlarge the view on your computer screen or lean in to read questions or enter answers. Note: Check the camera view once you are in Honorlock to be sure the camera can view your hands, face, and workspace. Honorlock will record your exam session, and I will review all videos for rules compliance.
You will need your JSU ID or driver’s license in order to complete the exam. You will be instructed to show your ID to the webcam.
You will need scratch paper and a pencil or pen. Note: You are to show your scratch paper to the camera before you begin the exam.
You will need a calculator. You may use a handheld calculator, or the default calculator provided on your computer. Note: Online calculators, calculators that have been downloaded, and graphing calculators are not allowed. Cell phone calculators are not allowed. Note: You are to show your calculator to the camera before you begin the exam.
You are not allowed to access any online resources such as math websites, videos, etc. during this exam.
You are not allowed to access any personal belongings during the exam. This includes cell phones, tablets, notes, books, etc.

Violation of any of these rules, at any point during the exam, will result in an exam grade of zero.

NOTE: For this course you must have a reliable webcam, microphone, and high-speed internet in order to complete the exams for this class. The Honorlock internet speed requirements are 1.5 Mbps download and 750 Kbps upload. Everyone should test their internet speed immediately. You can test your internet speed using an online internet speed test.