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Teaching Using Canvas: UW-Superior Syllabus Template

UW-Superior Syllabus Template

Using the UW-Superior Approved Syllabus Template

You are likely already familiar with the syllabus templates and requirements. This page contains all requirements and gives you the ability to copy the content of "Approved UW-Superior Syllabus A" template. Once copied from the page section below, you can copy/paste the template into a Canvas page for editing. To complete the steps outlined below, have your Canvas course open in a separate browser window with a destination page created to paste the content into ready.

UW-Superior Course Syllabus Requirements

This document contains  instructions for creating and sharing course syllabi as well as checklist and template syllabus versions that contain all required components to satisfy standards of our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), as well as expectations of UW-System. The major components were passed by Faculty Senate 10/15/13, with updates from UAAC and University Studies in 2016-17.  The template was created and updated in June of 2017 to meet HLC requirements for accreditation.

To Create Your Syllabus

To meet the syllabus requirements for both undergraduate and graduate courses, use either the checklist (pages 2-3) or the template (pages 4-6).  Both the checklist and the template contain a minimum set of elements required of all syllabi; the template has drop-down menu boxes for some items to make syllabus creation easier.

In regards to the look of the syllabus, there are no specific requirements regarding font, text size, or other aspects related to appearance. Please check with your department chair and/or program coordinator as your discipline may have requirements. You will also want to consider usability and accessibility. 

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions while completing your syllabus, please feel free to contact the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies.  

Using the Syllabus - Using a copy of the Approved UW-Superior Syllabus MS Word file acquired from the Dean of Academic Affairs office. [Policies and Forms Page]

  1. Open/download the syllabus template into MS Word. (We have a campus subscription. If you don’t have Word on your computer, please contact the IT Help Desk at help@uwsuper.edu.)
  2. After reviewing the template, add your course information to the identified sections.
  3. The templates have “notes to instructor” in some areas. They provides specific guidance regarding these items.

Using the Syllabus Approved UW-Superior Syllabus A - [copied from the content below if you do not have a Word doc copy]

  1. Start by having a target "Syllabus page" created in your Canvas course and your course open in a separate browser. 
  2. Scroll down to the "Approved UW-Superior Syllabus A - Copy" section below and starting with the word "Semester" – highlight the text content to the end of the section and copy it.
  3. Navigate to your open "Syllabus" page in your Canvas course and while in edit mode, paste the copied syllabus content into the page.
  4. After pasting the template content into the Canvas page, review the template and add your course information to the identified sections.
  5. The templates have “notes to instructor” in some areas. They provides specific guidance regarding these items.

Sharing Your Syllabus

Once you complete a syllabus for each course in a term: 

  1. Submit the final document to your department, as communicated by your department chair. Departments forward all course syllabi to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs, where they are kept on file permanently.
  2. Upload the document to your course shell in Canvas (optional if you have created a syllabus page)
  3. Discuss and the syllabus during the first week of class in either paper or electronic format (through Canvas and/or email). The Student Information Sheet, also known as the Syllabus Attachment, should also be included in Canvas or as an email attachment and does not have to be printed.

Approved UW-Superior Syllabus A - Copy

Semester, Year

PREFIX AND # OF COURSE: NAME OF COURSE

INSTRUCTOR

            Office location

            Email

            Phone

            Office hours

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

Note if the course meets (any or all) requirements for:

  • Undergraduate degree or graduate degree
  • Major and if so, which major(s)
  • Minor and if so, which minor(s)
  • University Studies and if so, which categories or core  

MODE OF DELIVERY

  • Identify if course is face-to-face, hybrid, or online.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Include as appropriate:

  • University learning outcomes and related assessment (i.e. exam, paper, presentation, project, etc)
  • Major learning outcomes and related assessment
  • Minor learning outcomes and related assessment
  • Specific course objectives/outcomes and related assessment

COURSE SCHEDULE AND OUTLINE

The course schedule should include weekly content/topics, assignments with due dates, and readings or other material.

COURSE MATERIALS

Include information on required textbooks or similar. Other materials (videos and other media, etc) can be provided in this section, or identified in an area in the learning management system course shell.

ASSIGNMENTS, ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING

Identify and describe each assignment and assessment (if different from the assignment) in the course with the evaluation process to be used, the weight of each assignment (percentage and/or points out of total), and due dates. This information must contain sufficient detail of expected student engagement to support the assignment of credit hour and course level. 

Include information on how you use the online learning management system to provide students with feedback and assessment. This must include the gradebook and tools for assignment completion and submission (such as the dropbox, quizzes, and others).

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS IN REGARDS TO ATTENDANCE

Provide a statement of attendance policy, including how you wish students to contact you regarding absences, particularly in the case of an emergency and consequences of poor or non-attendance, if any.

 

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

(Note to instructor: This section must be included in its entirety.)

 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - SUPERIOR

Diversity and inclusion is integral to the educational mission of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. As a community we commit to recognize, include and value inherent worth and dignity of each person; foster tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, mutual respect, and justice among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach their own potential. The institution recognizes these experiences are crucial for developing the requisite skills to thrive as a member of a pluralistic society and as a responsible global citizen.

In pursuit of its goal of inclusive excellence, the University actively seeks to attract students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, including but are not limited to: race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background, cognitive ability, physical ability, religion and spirituality, value system, national origin, immigration or refugee status, veteran status, and political beliefs.

The University believes that diversity among its members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life. The University of Wisconsin-Superior views, evaluates, and treats all person in any University related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals.

For more information about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and/or to report bias, discrimination or harassment, please email edi@uwsuper.edu or call 715-394-8015.

 

POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO HELP YOUR LEARNING AND GROWTH

The University of Wisconsin-Superior is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding special accommodations, academic misconduct, religious beliefs accommodation, discrimination and absence for University- sponsored events.

 

Please review the Student Information Sheet and Syllabus Attachment, which is available in Learn@UW-Superior. This includes policies related to:

  • Student characteristics, including policies and services related to those who are active military/veterans, those who are pregnant or expecting new family members, and students seeking services for differing abilities and accommodations student services, and others.
  • Academic integrity, including information on plagiarism and steps that an instructor can take.
  • Campus policies, including how to sign up for Safe Alerts, information on course evaluations, process for submitting a formal grievance regarding academics and/or discrimination, and others.