Syllabus and Grading

Rosann Gage, English Literature

Jennifer Mani, Counselor Education & Supervision

Kent State University

Graduate Student Orientation

August 23, 2017

What you can expect from this session:

I. Syllabus Overview

II. Basic Syllabus Information

III. Policies and Requirements

IV. Objectives, Scheduling, and Assessments

V. Grading and Evaluation

I. Syllabus Overview

What types of things are important to include in a syllabus?

General Advice

• Treat syllabus as a contract

• Remember level of course

• Know requirements the course fulfills

• Keep diversity and cultural backgrounds in mind

• Proofread before you share

How Much Do I Control?

• Some courses may already be designed and have an existing syllabus

• Some departments may have sample syllabi or a pre-designed syllabus to fill in

• Other courses may require you to completely design your syllabus

It is important to check with your department or advisor to determine how much control you have over your syllabus.

II. Basic Syllabus Information

Course Prefix Instructor’s Name

Course Registration Number

(CRN)Instructor’s Email Address

Course Title Instructor’s Phone Number

Days, Time, Room Number Instructor’s Office Location

Course Description Instructor’s Office Hours

Student Learning Outcomes

(Objectives)

Required Text(s) and

Supplemental Readings

Course Policies

Due Dates

Evaluation Criteria

University Policy

Course Schedule

Course Description

• Description of the course

• Catch students’ interest

• Explain why the course is important

• Opportunity to personalize

Office Hours

• Required Office Hours

• Work with department about the number of hours

• Allow students to schedule appointments outside allotted hours

• Inform students ahead of time if office hours change

III. Policies and Requirements

• Attendance, tardiness • Excused vs. unexcused • How will you take attendance? • Do you record tardiness?

• Grading policy • Late work, make-up assignments, extra credit,

participation points, rewrites

• Technology • Laptops, tablets, mobile phones

• Classroom etiquette • Behavior, disruptions, eating, drinking

University Policies and Requirements

• Last day to add/withdraw from course

• http://www.kent.edu/registrar/fall-important-dates

• September 3, 2017 Last day to add

• November 5, 2017 Last day to withdraw

• Final exam schedule

• Varies by campus

• Policies to copy and paste

• Student Accessibility Services

• Academic Honesty

• Grading Scale

IV. Objectives and Scheduling

• Objective, measurable, and attainable

• Active verbs

• Demonstrate, explain, identify, list, describe, etc

• Backward Design

• Objective for end of course

• Themes and concepts to cover

• Textbook/reading materials

• Assessment tools

Scheduling

• What are some factors you might consider when scheduling due dates and exams for your course?

Course Schedule

• Keep in Mind!

• Your schedule and deadlines

• Build in Flexibility!

• “Subject to change” disclaimer

• Plan extra material

• Promise to announce changes early

• Avoid changing due dates/exams

A Contract with Flexibility

A Flexibility Statement can help with any changes to a syllabus or schedule.

Syllabus Flexibility Statement

The instructor reserves the right to amend or change this syllabus or the course schedule as needed. Final changes will be communicated via e-mail and made available on Blackboard. It is the responsibility of the student to check e-mail messages and course announcements to stay current.

Course Schedule and Readings

V. Grading and Evaluation

• Include grading scale

• Points

• Percentage

• Weighted vs. non-weighted

g Rubrics• Create rubrics based on the requirements

for the assignment and the learning outcomes

g Grades

GRADING BREAKDOWN

Online quizzes 14 (10 pts each) 140

Online midterm 35 questions (2 pts each) 70

Online Final Exam 35 questions (2 pts each) 70

Weekly in-class participation 15 (4 points each) 60

Presentations 3 (200 points each) 600

Research Participation 60 points 60

TOTAL POINTS 1000 points 1000

g Grading Scale

A (100% - 93%) C + (79.9% - 77%)

A – (92.9% - 90%) C (76.9% - 73%)

B + (89.9% - 87%) C – (72.9% - 70%)

B (86.9% - 83%) D + (69.9% - 67%)

B – (82.9% - 80%) D (66.9% - 60%)

F (59.9% and below)

University Grade Deadlines

• Withdraw without grade “W” Sept. 10

• Withdraw with grade “W” Nov. 5

• Midterm Grades (Freshmen) Oct. 18

• Final Grades (All) Dec. 21

(A-F; W; NF; SF; IF/ID; IP)

• Blackboard to Flashline Grade Push:

www.kent.edu/provost/grade-push

Providing Feedback

• Read through once before grading

• Balance positive and negative

• Set a timer

• Allocate time and space out grading

•

•Focus on major concerns first, then minor

• Be professional

• Try to update students’ grades on Blackboard

• Do not discuss grades on e-mail

Cheating and Plagiarism

• What is cheating?

• What is plagiarism?• University policy• SafeAssign• Rewrites• Writing Commons• Plagiarism School

Evaluation Criteria

• What is the point of assessment in a classroom?

• Are there any bad choices when it comes to what assessments you use?

• Goal: Measure Course Student Learning Outcomes

• Consider size of class & discipline

Evaluation Tools

• Clearly state what assessments you will use

• Exams

• Quizzes

• Labs

• Homework

• Research Papers

• Oral Presentations

• Participation Points

QUESTIONS?

Please contact us at:

Rosann Gage

rgage2@kent.edu

Jennifer Mani

jmani@kent.edu