Syllabus

General Information

The course syllabus is the official record of each course SLIS offers. As such, the syllabus should be looked upon as a "contract" between the student and instructor. It is strongly suggested that each instructor prepare a syllabus, which thoroughly reflects the expectations and requirements of the student.

Please submit an electronic copy (word-processed, pdf, etc.) of the course syllabus to the IUPUI-SLIS office. Each syllabus becomes part of SLIS's archival record. This is essential for eventual review and re-accreditation of the program. Please put your syllabi on the web no later than December 1. An overview of the course would be helpful to students in making their final decision. Students are learning to check the web before coming to class, so it's a good way to get things started from the first day of class.

Guidelines

1. Please provide a copy of your syllabus for posting on our web site. We prefer Microsoft Word format. Send it to Melanie Hollcraft meacole@iupui.edu .
2. Include a copy of the grading policy for SLIS in your syllabus or the link to the policy on the IU SLIS-Bloomington web site at http://www.slis.indiana.edu/courses/forms/grades.html
3. If you have question about interpretation of the grading policy, please contact Dr. Marilyn Irwin irwinwinm@indiana.edu
4. Include a statement in your syllabus on the Adaptive Educational Services for students who may require accommodations for the course. Recommended language to be included:

   "Students needing accommodations because of disability will need to register with Adaptive Educational Services and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given. The AES office is located in CA 001E and they may be reached by calling 274- 3241."

5. Highly recommended items to include in your syllabus are:
   • Your policy on accepting or not accepting late assignments and likely reduction in the student's grade because of late completion
   • A summary of each assignment, purpose, date due, and value of the assignment compared to other assignments and the overall grade.
   • The value you place on class participation and how lack of attendance may influence the final grade; missing a class can result in reduction of the class participation grade.
   • A statement concerning academic dishonesty and the steps that you may take to enforce such: reduction of a grade on an assignment, requiring that the assignment be redone, grading the assignment at the level of F, or granting a final grade of F depending on the severity of the student's actions. Please document your actions and keep a copy of the student's work. If you action is likely to lead to a substantial reduction in the student's grade or failure of the student, please keep Dr. Irwin informed.
6. Try to establish at least one assignment that will be completed and graded before the course is more than 30% completed. This will help students gain an understanding of your performance expectations. A mid-term assignment or exam is useful for this as well.
7. Consider gathering anonymous feedback from students at mid-term that will help you make adjustments in class presentation, organization or other aspects you believe are worth changing.
8. An "incomplete" may be granted only after it is very clear that there is no other alternative. It is highly recommended that incompletes not be granted as students are expected to manager their academic and professional workload in a mature manner. Fulltime faculty need to understand that the responsibility to monitor the student until the requirements for the course have been completed is that of the faculty member. Adjunct faculty should consult with Dr. Irwin prior to issuing an incomplete as they are not responsible for student evaluation beyond the semester for which they have been hired to teach.
9. Guests (including children and spouses) may attend class only at the approval of the instructor and such should be discussed at least one class session prior to the guest attending. It is highly recommended that students to not bring their children to class for any reason.
10. For our records we would like to receive a copy of the best student product in your class. This might be a paper or other project that is in print form or copied on disc. Please gain the student's permission. These items are kept on file to demonstrate the quality of student work in our program.
11. If there are any problems or concerns about course content or student performance, pleas contact Dr. Irwin. Problems concerning equipment, facilities, and gathering of final course evolutions should be addressed to Melanie.

Format of Syllabus

The SLIS Curriculum Steering Committee has recommended the following course syllabi as a "model" framework for other faculty to consider. Additional samples may be found in the Course Descriptions and Syllabi section of this site.

• S532 (L571) Information Architecture for the Web - Hara
• S502 (L524) Reference - Tilley

The Curriculum Committee of the Graduate Office of IUPUI also has a Suggested Course Syllabus Format that may be utilized in creating a syllabus for SLIS.

Core Course content documents are available for faculty who teach the following courses: S501, S502, S503, S504, S505, S551, or S556. Contact Dr. Irwin to obtain the latest versions of the document that might apply to your teaching area.