Syllabus Resources

Welcome to Western Carolina University! We're glad you’re teaching your first course here. As you get acclimated to campus, there are a few things to know:

You'll get a sample syllabus from your chair. Check that course syllabus against our Model Syllabus Template, and reconcile any differences.  Note that we recommend placing this text in the rich content editor box in the Canvas Syllabus tool instead of keeping it as a text file.  The same content will be copied into the blank course shells for upcoming semesters, so you may not have to use this file at all if you simply update the information in your course shell.

We have also created a more elaborate Canvas optimized system which you can transfer into your course shell which includes this information.  Use these steps to get started.

You have been teaching at Western Carolina University for more than a year. You’re familiar with the old Master Syllabus the Coulter Faculty Commons has long maintained or the new Model Syllabus that has replaced it, and all you need to know now is whether institutional policies have changed since you last visited this page.

Here’s a list of updated policy information, with a date/timestamp when it was required for your syllabus: 

• Model Syllabus Update:  Moved all non-course required content (Policies and Support Resources) to persistent web page for WCU Syllabus Additional Content with link in the body of Model Syllabus.
• Version 1.11.21 - Updated text in academic integrity section to include self-plagiarism 
• Version 8.10.20 - Updated Statement on Wearing of Masks 
• Version 8.06.10 - Section on Course Recording and Broadcasting updated with most recent guidance from the office of legal counsel. 
• Version 7.19.20 - For Writing and Learning Commons section - corrected website and added information about supplemental instruction 
• Version 6.26.20 - Statement on Wearing of Masks 
• Version 5.18.20 - Guidelines for using Respondus LockDown Browser and/or LockDown Monitor 
• Version 4.30.20 - Updated contact information for campus offices during COVID-19 stay-at-home order 
• Version 2.01.20 - Added Community Vision for Inclusive Excellence Statement 
• Version 12.19.19 - Updated Grading Table to Grading Section 
• Version 5.8.19 - Updated Accessibility Statement, as suggested by the Office of Accessibility Resources 
• Version 5.19.19 - Alignment to the policy on Academic Integrity, as maintained by the Dean of Students website; alignment to new contact email address and website for the Office of Accessibility Resources 
• Version 9.13.18: - Inclusion of new Liberal Studies Learning Outcomes verbiage 
• Version 8.7.18: - A link to the Liberal Studies Learning Goals website (to assist faculty teaching courses part of the Liberal Studies CORE). 
• Version 7.17.18 - A statement about learning outcomes for courses part of the Liberal Studies program. 
• Version 6.21.18 - Information about LMS downtime 
• Version 5.25.18 - Updates about WALC, Math Tutoring center, Institutional Policies: Course Recording and Broadcasting, Institutional Policies: Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Academic Integrity Policy and Reporting Process (corrected a typo) 

So you’re teaching a new course not yet developed before. You may want to review our Learning-Centered Syllabus Checklist, which was informed by research on learning-centered syllabi. We also have a Model Syllabus Template which can be helpful to ensure all the pieces are there.