Sample Course Syllabus

Lesley University College of Art and Design

Learning Outcomes: Learning outcomes are statements that describe significant and essential learning that students have achieved, and can reliably demonstrate at the end of a course or program. In words, learning outcomes identify what the learner will know and be able to do or demonstrate by the end of a course or program.

Examples:

• Students will learn basic 2D design compositional skills and language to make and critique work inspired by their own interests and image research and archives
• Students will develop an image collection/archive which will engage them in research and allow them to compare/contrast their work in context with others
• Students will use color and drawing as tools for communication and apply common color theory principles to their assignments

Please refrain from statements such as “student will know” unless you provide the means to assess and demonstrate learning. It is more appropriate that you say “students will learn to…”or “students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in… “

Expectations (include things such as class etiquette, performance expectations, etc. ...)

Attendance Policy: (please use this required language) Regular attendance in all classes is required. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class for the entire period scheduled. The responsibility for work missed due to any type of absence rests with the student. A failing grade may be assigned to any student who attends less than 80 % of class meetings (3 classes of a course meeting once per week or 6 classes of a course meeting twice weekly). Any exceptions are made at the discretion of the instructor.

Grading Policy

Course Schedule

Required Texts and Materials

Suggested Texts and Materials

Lesley University Library Services: The Library Research Portal (research.lesley.edu) provides access to multiple services and authoritative resources for academic research including books, articles, texts, visual media, and teaching resources. The Lesley University Library encourages students and faculty to use these academic resources for their assignments:

• Our Ask-A-Librarian page lets you chat, text, call, e-mail, or request a meeting with a librarian!
• Visit our two libraries for drop-in help, course reserves, computers/wifi, printing, new magazines and journals, and (of course) books!
• Sherrill Library, the main University library, Brattle Campus, 617-349-8850
• Moriarty Library, the arts library, Porter Campus, 617-349-8070

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty comes in many forms. The following list is not meant to be exhaustive and a student may be charged and found guilty of violating the University’s Academic Integrity Policy for an offense not enumerated below. Academic dishonesty includes: cheating, plagiarism, fabrication and falsification, multiple submissions, abuse of academic materials, complicity/unauthorized assistance, lying/tampering/theft. Please review the Academic Integrity Statement and Policy for details: lesley.edu/academic-policies.

Learning Community Statement: (please use this required language)

Faculty, staff and students are all responsible for advancing a campus and classroom climate that creates and values a diversity of ideas, perspectives, experiences and identities. As such, we aspire to engage together in a community where each person is respected and empowered to express themselves and be heard.  

We commit to creating an environment and developing course content that recognizes the learning experience of every student with dignity and respect, regardless of differences that include, but are not limited to: race, socio-economic status, ethnicity, indigenous background, immigration status, nationality, gender identity/expression, language, abilities and accommodations, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, veteran status or membership in uniformed services, political views, age and physical appearance.  

Lesley University's Mission Statement (lesley.edu/about/mission-history) states that “…Lesley prepares socially responsible graduates with the knowledge, skills, understanding and ethical judgment to be catalysts shaping a more just, humane, and sustainable world.”  Among many experts in the field, Diane Goodman has described the following competencies: (1) Building self-awareness, (2) Understanding and valuing others, (3) Knowledge of societal inequities, (4) Interacting effectively with a diversity of people in different contexts, and (5) Fostering equity and inclusion. Our mission and these competencies are embedded in our curricula and our classrooms. They provide a foundation for transformative teaching and learning, and approaches to social justice. 

Disability Statement: (please use this required language)

Lesley University is committed to ensuring that all qualified students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and to benefit from its programs and services. To receive accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and must provide documentation of the disability. Eligibility for reasonable accommodations will be based on the documentation provided.

If you are a student with a documented disability, or feel that you may have a disability, please contact the appropriate disability administrator.

For On-Campus Students with Learning Disabilities, Attention Disorders and Asperger Syndrome:

Kimberly J. Johnson, Director LD/ADD Academic Support Program

Doble Hall, 2nd floor

Phone: 617.349.8462 • Fax: 617.349.8324

kjohnso7@lesley.edu

For On-Campus Students with Physical, Sensory, and Psychiatric Disabilities:

Daniel Newman, Executive Director Academic Support Services, Lesley University ADA/504 Coordinator for Students

Doble Hall, 2nd Floor

Phone: 617.349.8572 • Fax: 617.349.8324 • TTY: 617.349.8544, 617-349-8198

dnewman@lesley.edu

For All Off-Campus Students:

Daniel Newman, Executive Director Academic Support Services, Lesley University ADA/504 Coordinator for Students

Doble Hall, 2nd Floor

Phone: 617.349.8572 • Fax: 617.349.8324

dnewman@lesley.edu

The contact persons play the role of facilitator between the student's needs, faculty requirements, and administrative guidelines of the University. Disability-related information is not shared without the permission of the student.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion Policy: (please use this required language)

Lesley University remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity, affirmative action, and inclusion for all current and prospective faculty, students, and staff and to eliminating discrimination when it occurs. Lesley University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities. Lesley will not ignore any form of discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment by any member of the Lesley community. Moreover, Lesley does not condone any form of retaliation against any person who brings a complaint of discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment or against anyone who cooperates in a complaint investigation. 

For more information, visit lesley.edu/students/policies/equal-opportunity-and-inclusion-policy or contact these Lesley University officers:

Dr. Anita Poole-Endsley

Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator

617.349.8809 or apooleen@lesley.edu

Ms. Michelle Polowchak

Associate Vice President for Human Resources

617.349.8785 or michelle.polowchak@lesley.edu

Lesley University Graduate School of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education Division

Required Course Syllabus Components

Core Components

Each faculty member will communicate these core components in a way that best represents the course and serves the students.

• Course code (prefix and number) and title
• Official title and course description (must match proposed or approved title and description)
• Date/semester
• Credits
• Location
• Times
• Instructor’s name and contact information, e.g. phone, email, office hours, location
• Footer that includes: Lesley University, page numbers, and date
• Course outcomes and objectives
• Texts (required and recommended readings)
• Expanded bibliography/resources
• Brief description of assignments, including clear designation of any field-based assignments
• Key assignment and rubric for ePortfolio; for key assignment criteria, contact assessment@lesley.edu
• Grading policy with weight/value of each item, including but not limited to the following:

• Course schedule/topical outline (including dates, topics, readings, types of teaching/learning experiences, assignments due, and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks addressed)
• Current Policy Statements
• Five Required Syllabus Statements (see "Syllabus Statements")