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Building in Simple Syllabus
If the course is not available in Simple Syllabus, you may need to build out the syllabus in the Word document template. Once it becomes available, then you can transfer the information into Simple.
The following guide provides an overview of syllabi in Simple Syllabus designed for Columbia College Online. Many sections are pre-populated from Colleague and Acalog or provide standard language from the syllabus template used by all Online courses. Screen shots are intended as examples.
(Note: CCG will also be using Simple Syllabus. You will note several sections designate a choice between Online and CCG. We only need to complete or revise the syllabi for Online.)
The only areas we need to complete or revise are:
Course Information
Course number, section, session dates, credit hours, course description, pre-requisites, and proctored exam information will pre-populate from Colleague.
Textbook Information
The listing for specific textbooks is populated from Colleague. Note that you will not see these in the Master Syllabus; they only appear when viewing individual section syllabi, as there may be differences between CCG and Online textbooks.
Standard textbook information about required eTexts, physical texts, and other learning resources for all syllabi is managed through the Simple Syllabus template.
Technology Requirements
This section uses boilerplate language managed through the syllabus template. However, you can add text below for courses with additional technology requirements (additional software, digital cameras, etc)
Course Learning Outcomes and Major Topics/Skills to be Covered
These sections populate from Acalog. Make note of any that do not include this information, as we will need to work with others on the team to make sure they are included.
Note that the Major Topics/Skills to be Covered section will not be displayed to students. It is recorded here as part of the Master Syllabus for the course.
Grading Scale
This is pre-populated from the syllabus template for courses that have 1000 points. It must be edited for those that follow a different grade total/grading scale.
Be sure to remove the D-level for graduate courses and recalculate the points and percentages for the F level.
Grading Weights
The heading for this table is pre-populated from the template. Add categories and number of assignments, points, and percents. Keep text left justified.
Add or delete rows as needed through the pop-up editing tool.
Schedule of Due Dates
Add assignments, points, and due dates from the current syllabus. Keep all left justified. There is no way to merge cells with the same dates. Add and delete rows as needed with the pop-up editing tool.
Assignment Overview
Add a section on Instructional Materials, if not already in the syllabus. Provide a concise description of the different types of assignments in the course, including Discussions, Papers, Quizzes, and Exams.
Use Level 3 headings and add BOLD for categories; use level 4 headings for subcategories.
Be concise in wording and refer students to the course materials for additional information, particularly when there is a series of scaffolded paper assignments.
Late Assignment Policy
The first paragraph is boilerplate language that is managed in the syllabus template, but you should add the policy specific to the course for late discussions, quizzes and exams, and other assignments.
Use the standard policy language for late discussion posts: “No points will be awarded for late discussion posts.” Please use an unnumbered list (bullet points) for the late assignment guidelines.
Other College Policies and Resources
The following areas will be pre-populated from the syllabus template. Language will be updated at that level (e.g. links to College resources, description of Tutoring Services). Be sure to call our attention to any outdated information you notice.
Submitting the syllabus
Once you have completed the syllabus, scroll to the bottom of the document and add any comments you may want to pass along to the reviewer. Then click Submit and wait for the confetti to celebrate your successful submission!
Your name, the date of submission, and the comments will appear in the History section on the right when you open the file again.
Previewing the syllabus
To preview the syllabus, go back to the Document Tracking and search for the course you want to preview. This time, look for the individual section syllabus rather than the master syllabus. It should be listed as Completed and will only allow you to view, not edit it. Click on the View button to see the full syllabus open in a new tab.
You will see the last updated date at the top, along with an icon indicating you can print from this page – either a hard copy or print to PDF.
Scroll through to check that all information is correct, including information imported from Colleague (textbook information) and Acalog (CLOs). Note any concerns in our tracking spreadsheet and communicate concerns to your PC teammate.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.