Syllabi vary from instructor to instructor and course to course. A syllabus for a UWHS class will usually offer some or all of the following:
- logistics
- course description
- required or recommended materials
- assessment
- policies
- resources
- calendar
- outcomes
The following guide explains which syllabus components are required and which optional. It also includes calendar templates and sample blurbs. Sample syllabi are included in sample course designs.
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Logistics
required optional - meeting times and location(s)
- office hour time(s) and location(s)
- instructor contact information (email, office, phone)
- class website
- instructor virtual office hour(s) and contact information
Course Description
required optional - topic and teaching method
- expectations of students
- course goals
Required or Recommended Materials
required optional - books (Contexts for Inquiry, The Everyday Writer, Writer's Help)
- UW Net ID and password
- printing money
- internet access
Assessment
required optional - portfolio 70%, participation 30%
- penalties (missed or late work)
- extra credit
Policies
required optional - an academic integrity clause
- the complaints clause (verbatim)
- conferences
- deadlines and missed work
- attendance
- illness (contact expectations, making up work)
- submission guidelines (format, technical procedure)
- technology in the classroom (cell phones, laptops, etc.)
- general classroom behavior (respect, etiquette)
Resources
required optional - accommodations clause (verbatim)
- campus safety clause (verbatim)
Calendar
required optional - a (tentative) course calendar with major due dates
- for Autumn, portfolio due date Monday of Finals Week
- disclaimer of change
- class cancellations for conferences
- university holidays
- registration deadlines
Outcomes
required optional - the outcomes (verbatim)
- the evaluation rubric (verbatim)
Sample Clauses
Portfolio assessment
In this course, you will complete two major assignment sequences, each of which is designed to help you fulfill the course outcomes. Each assignment sequence requires you to complete a variety of shorter assignments leading up to a major paper. These shorter assignments will each target one or more of the course outcomes at a time, help you practice these outcomes, and allow you to build toward a major paper at the end of each sequence. You will have a chance to revise significantly each of the major papers using feedback generated by your instructor, peer review sessions, and writing conferences. Toward the end of the course, having completed the two sequences, you will be asked to compile and submit a portfolio of your work along with a critical reflection. The portfolio will include the following: one of the two major papers, three to five of the shorter assignments, and a critical reflection that explains how the selected portfolio demonstrates the four outcomes for the course. In addition to the materials you select as the basis for your portfolio grade, your portfolio must include all of the sequence-related writing you were assigned in the course (both major papers and all the shorter assignments from both sequences). A portfolio that does not include all the above will be considered "Incomplete" and will earn a grade of 0.0-0.9. The grade for complete portfolios will be based on the extent to which the pieces you select demonstrate the course outcomes. The portfolio will be worth 70% of your final grade.
Academic integrity clause
Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is presenting someone else's ideas or writing as your own. In your writing for this class, you are encouraged to refer to other people's thoughts and writing--as long as you cite them. As a matter of policy, any student found to have plagiarized any piece of writing in this class will be immediately reported to the College of Arts and Sciences for review.
Complaints clause
If you have any concerns about the course or your instructor, please see the instructor about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the instructor or not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the following Expository Writing Program staff in Padelford A-11: Director Candice Rai, (206) 543-2190 or crai@uw.edu or Assistant Directors AJ Burgin, aburgin@uw.edu; Jacki Fiscus, jfiscus@uw.edu; Denise Grollmus, grolld@uw.edu. If, after speaking with the Director or Assistant Directors of the EWP, you are still not satisfied with the response you receive, you may contact English Department Chair Brian Reed, (206) 543-2690.
Accommodations clause
If you need accommodation of any sort, please let me know so that I can work with the UW Disability Resources for Students Office (DRS) to provide what you require. This syllabus is available in large print, as are other class materials. More information about accommodation may be found at http://www.washington.edu/students/drs/.
Odegaard Writing and Research Center (OWRC) clause
The Odegaard Writing and Research Center (OWRC) offers students, staff, and faculty at UW free, one-to-one, 45-minute tutoring sessions for any writing or research project, as well as for personal projects such as applications or cover letters and resumes. Our tutors and librarians are trained to collaborate at any stage of the writing and research process, from brainstorming and identifying sources to making final revisions and tying up loose ends. For more information, or to schedule an appointment (more than 500 available per week!), please see our website (https://depts.washington.edu/owrc) or come visit us in person on the first floor of Odegaard Undergraduate Library!
Campus safety clause
Preventing violence is everyone's responsibility. If you're concerned, tell someone.
- Always call 911 if you or others may be in danger.
- Call 206-685-SAFE (7233) to report non-urgent threats of violence and for referrals to UW counseling and/or safety resources. TTY or VP callers, please call through your preferred relay service.
- Don't walk alone. Campus safety guards can walk with you on campus after dark. Call Husky NightWalk 206-685-WALK (9255).
- Stay connected in an emergency with UW Alert. Register your mobile number to receive instant notification of campus emergencies via text and voice messaging. Sign up online at www.washington.edu/alert.
For more information visit the SafeCampus website at www.washington.edu/safecampus.
Counseling Center clause
UW Counseling Center workshops include a wide range of issues including study skills, thinking about coming out, international students and culture shock, and much more. Check out available resources and workshops at: http://depts.washington.edu/counsels/
Career Center clause
UW Career Center offers career counseling and planning, workshops and career fairs, a listing of part-time jobs on and off campus, and much more: http://careers.washington.edu/students
Q Center clause
The University of Washington Q Center builds and facilitates queer (gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirit, trans, intersex, questioning, same-gender-loving, allies) academic and social community through education, advocacy, and support services to achieve a socially-just campus in which all people are valued. For more information, visit http://depts.washington.edu/qcenter/.
FIUTS clause
Foundation for International Understanding through Students: FIUTS is an example of a campus organization that can bring together your social and academic learning. "FIUTS is an independent non-profit organization which provides cross-cultural leadership and social programming for UW's international and globally minded domestic students. FIUTS is local connections and global community!" FIUTS also offers a free international lunch on the last Wednesday of every month beginning with a lunch on September 28 from 11:30-1:30 in the Kane Hall Walker-Ames room. Consult FIUTS' web site for a detailed calendar of events and links to many resources http://www.fiuts.washington.edu.
Course calendars
These calendar templates may help you in planning your class. Please double check all dates for accuracy. A note about the Pathways: Pathway 1 includes fewer assignments, multiple drafts, emphasis on revision, higher order feedback on earlier drafts, and lower order feedback on later drafts. Pathway 2 includes the maximum number of assignments, single drafts, and focuses on only higher order feedback in weeks 1-8, focusing on self-editing lower order feedback in final 2 weeks.
Spring Quarter 2016
Evaluation rubric
Outstanding: Offers a very highly proficient, even memorable demonstration of the trait(s) associated with the course outcome(s), including some appropriate risk-taking and/or creativity.
Strong: Offers a proficient demonstration of the trait(s) associated with the course outcome(s), which could be further enhanced with revision.
Good: Effectively demonstrates the trait(s) associate with the course outcome(s), but less proficiently; could use revision to demonstrate more skillful and nuanced command of trait(s).
Acceptable: Minimally meets the basic outcome(s) requirement, but the demonstrated trait(s) are not fully realized or well-controlled and would benefit from significant revision.
Inadequate: Does not meet the outcome(s) requirement; the trait(s) are not adequately demonstrated and require substantial revision on multiple levels.