Policy Statement and Purpose

All Hampden-Sydney College instructors must create a syllabus for each course that contains information on course structure, student expectations, and academic policies. This policy addresses the content instructors must include and are encouraged to include in their syllabi as well as the process overseeing the evaluation of syllabus content and quality. The syllabus policy only addresses requirements for syllabus content, not academic course content.  

The syllabus policy helps ensure H-SC's academic policies are in alignment with its institutional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The syllabus policy applies to Principle of Accreditation 10.1 (academic policies) which states, “The institution publishes, implements, and disseminates academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice and that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution.” Syllabi serve as an agreement between instructors and students, and they are an important medium through which academic policies are disseminated to the student body.

Process for Instructor Creation, Submissions, and Review of Syllabi

Instructors should craft syllabi in alignment with the “Required Syllabus Content” section. Language for required academic policies is available in the syllabus template . Instructors should copy and paste institutional policy language into their syllabi. They should not edit the policies.

By September 1 of the fall semester, February 1 of the spring semester, and June 1 of May Term, instructors must submit their syllabi as PDF documents to the Executive Assistant to the Dean of Faculty.

During each term, a sample of syllabi from each department will be audited to ensure that syllabi follow the expectations outlined in this policy. As applicable, instructors will be asked to update their syllabi to align with expectations.

Distribution to Students and Required Syllabus Content

  1. Instructors must submit course syllabi to their students no later than the first day of classes, per the dates prescribed in the academic calendar.
  2. If the syllabus changes, instructors should send an updated copy to students.
  3. All syllabi must contain the following content:
    1. Course Information
      1. Course prefix and number, section number, title, and credit hours
      2. Course description
      3. Course prerequisites (if applicable)
      4. Semester and year
      5. Class meeting days, time, and location
      6. Faculty member’s name, contact information, and office hours
      7. Required course materials and texts
      8. Course schedule
      9. Assignment descriptions and deadlines
      10. Policies governing late work, make-up assignments, and attendance
      11. Policies for use of AI on assignments
      12. Calculation of final grade
    2. Student Learning Information
      1. Course’s relationship to degree program standards (e.g., required for major/standalone minor, elective, etc.)
      2. Student learning outcomes for major/standalone minor (if course is required for a major or standalone minor)
      3. Course learning outcomes
  4. All syllabi must contain the following institutional policies. The wording for these policies should be copied and pasted from the syllabus template.
    1. Grading Scale
    2. Honor Code
    3. Accommodations

Suggested Syllabus Content

The following content is recommended, but not required, to be included in syllabi:

  1. Classroom expectations
  2. Teaching philosophy
  3. Statements about and links to student support services, to include Academic Success and the Rhetoric Studio.
  4. Technology policy (i.e., cell phones, laptops)

Syllabus Template

Instructors are not required to use a syllabus template, but one is available for them to use . Policies that must be included in syllabi should be copied and pasted from the syllabus template.

Syllabus Template

Policy Revision History

Implemented July 1, 2024