The Effective Online Course Syllabus
The Syllabus
The syllabus is the most valuable document in an online course and serves as the road map of the course. Going further, the syllabus is considered a contract between instructor and students and outlines the terms or conditions for interaction in the course (Ko & Rossen, 2017). The syllabus serves several purposes:
- Communicate course information to students
- List the learning outcomes or goals of the course
- Outline expected responsibilities and duties
- Provide information about the instructor, course identifying information, and course purpose/description
- List and describe assignments, learning objectives, and grading criteria
- Document course, department, college, and university policies
- and More.
Syllabus Elements
Course Information |
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Instructor Information |
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Communication Policy |
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Course Delivery Method |
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Course Content & Learning Objectives (Outcomes) |
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Online Learning Environment |
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Expectations/Responsibilities & Netiquette |
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Grading & Assignments |
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Course Outline or Schedule |
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Policies |
These policies are listed below. |
Online@JSU Information |
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Disability Resources recommends that each course syllabus contain a statement reflecting compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 504. The following are suggested statements:
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require adjustments or accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability Resources (Student Success Center, 2nd Floor of the Houston Cole Library, (256) 782.8380 disabilityresources@jsu.edu) so that such accommodations can be considered. Students that receive accommodation letters or Individualized Post-Secondary Plans (IPP’s) should meet with me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as early in the semester as possible.
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with Disability Resources and the instructor, as early in the semester as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Disability Resources is located in the Student Success Center on the 2nd floor of the Houston Cole Library or students can call or email at (256) 782.8380, disabilityresources@jsu.edu.
Campus Resources for Writing:
The Writing Center offers several free in-person and online services including writing and digital writing consultations, virtual presentation audiences, ESL conversation partners, and special-topics workshops for all JSU faculty, staff, and students. A team of undergraduate and graduate consultants are trained to assist with academic, personal, and professional writing. Appointments can be scheduled through the Navigate app. For more information, visit https://www.jsu.edu/english/jsuwrites/index.html
In a University community, true knowledge can be gained only through honest means. All academic dishonesty is expressly prohibited. This policy is applicable for campus and distance learning activities. Students who violate this Academic Honesty Policy will be subject to disciplinary actions which could range from a zero on an assignment to failure of the course; repeated offenses can result in dismissal from the university. Violations include BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, the following:
- The use of unauthorized materials or the receipt of unauthorized assistance during an examination or in the completion of any other assignment, exercise, experiment, or project for academic credit. Unauthorized materials may include, but are not limited to, notes, textbooks, previous examinations, exhibits, experiments, papers, or other supplementary items.
- Copying or utilizing information from a paper of another student during an examination.
- Rendering unauthorized assistance to another student by knowingly permitting him or her to copy an examination, project, paper, assignment, exhibit, exercise, or other material to be submitted for academic credit.
- Illegally obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination or test materials.
- Selling or giving to another student unauthorized copies of tests or examinations or research assignments.
- The use of a commercially prepared term paper or research project or the submission of a paper, project, or experiment completed by someone other than the student submitting any of the above for academic credit.
- Falsifying class attendance.
- Falsifying reasons why a student did not attend a required class or take a scheduled examination.
- Taking an examination in the place of another student.
- Making unauthorized change in any reported grade or on an official academic report form.
- Unauthorized collaboration between two students on an examination, paper, or project.
- Plagiarism, which is the deliberate act of copying, writing, or presenting as one's own the information, ideas, or phrasing of another person without proper acknowledgment of their true source.
- Making use of computing facilities in an academically dishonest manner.
Self Help & Various Support Resources
Local Help From Online@JSU - Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time; online@jsu.edu or (256) 782-8172
Canvas Support Team - 24/7 help and support resources available inside the Canvas LMS in the global navigation Help menu (Live Chat, Web Form, Self-Help Guides, and Phone - 877-404-2235)
Help With JSU eMail, MyJaxState, etc.- Technology Support Center; (256) 782-8324 or techcenter@jsu.edu
Facebook - Stay connected with Announcements, Tips, and Suggestions.
For the best course experience within Canvas and other technology, you need to have access to a minimum amount of technology. Each system has certain requirements. Additionally, your specific course may have further technology requirements. Check with your instructor for course-specific needs.
- Basic General Technical Requirements
- Canvas System Requirements
- Kaltura Video Platform
- Honorlock Online Proctoring (scroll down to Minimum Requirements section)
- Turnitin Feedback Studio
Student information is treated securely and privacy protected by the use of security protocols when transmitting data. Privacy issues are addressed in the Jacksonville State University Undergraduate Catalog, in the Privacy Rights of Students section , the Graduate Studies Bulletin, in the Privacy Rights of Students section, and on the FERPA Information page.
Additional security-related information can be found in the JSU IT & Security Policies.
Resources
JSU General Syllabus Template - Word Document
JSU Syllabus Guide - Updated July 2022
Retrieve the syllabus accordion for your Canvas course. (Updated May 2022)
References
Angelo State University. (2022). Section 2.2: Create an Effective Online Syllabus. Retrieved on May 26, 2022. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty-and-staff/instructional-design/online-teaching/section_22.php
Ko, Susan & Rossen, S. (2017). Creating an Effective Online Syllabus, in Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, 4th Edition. Retrieved on May 26, 2022. https://static.routledge.com/9780415832434/9780415832434_teaching_ch05_wm.pdf