Create Your Syllabus

General Education Program
To ensure that students understand the continuity of General Education as a whole and the specific learning outcomes of each course, we ask that you include the Gen Ed statement from the appropriate category on your syllabus. These statements can be downloaded at gened.illinoisstate.edu/faculty_info.

(Updated 08/09/23)

Option 1

If you have to miss class due to bereavement for the loss of a family member, active military duty, or required quarantine/isolation for a communicable disease such as COVID, contact the Dean of Students Office to request a formal excused absence notice be sent to your instructors. The Dean of Students Office can send a courtesy notice to your instructors about other absences, but many other absences (including illness) are subject to the absence policy for this course and are not excused under university policy.

Additional examples 

Option 2

As stated in the Undergraduate Catalog, you are responsible for attending class and completing all academic work. Make arrangements with me in advance if you will be missing class due to participation in a Sanctioned University Activity, fulfillment of a religious obligation, exercise of a bereavement leave, or another university-recognized excused absence.

Option 3

As responsible adults investing in their future, Illinois State University students are encouraged to take control of their own education, especially when life and health challenges interfere with the planned process. When students need to miss class, they must be swift and proactive in working with their instructors to take advantage of learning opportunities, develop mastery of course materials, meet the learning objectives as outlined in the course, and prepare themselves for more advanced learning.

Option 4

To be socially responsible, I urge you not to attend class if you feel your safety and the safety of your classmates and faculty may be compromised by your attendance. When you need to miss class, you must be swift and proactive in working with your instructors to take advantage of learning opportunities, develop mastery of course materials, meet the learning objectives as outlined in the course and prepare for more advanced learning.

Option 5

You are responsible for attending class and completing all academic work. You are also responsible for communicating any absences. If you have missed class or know that you will miss a future class, fill out this form (insert link here).

NOTE: Faculty have access to both Qualtrics and Microsoft Forms. When you create your student absence form ask for the following information:

1. Dates missed or will miss
2. Assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. missed
3. Are they missing lecture/lab/performance/clinical, etc.

Require answers to all questions so that only a completed form can be submitted. Adjust the settings so that you receive an email when a student submits the form.

You may want to include a link to the form on your Canvas site.

(Updated 08/01/23)

You are expected to be honest in all academic work, consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct and any additional syllabus language. All work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source. Unauthorized and/or unacknowledged collaboration on any work, or the presentation of someone else’s work, is plagiarism.

Content generated by an Artificial Intelligence third-party service or site (AI-generated content) without proper attribution or authorization is another form of plagiarism. If you are unsure about whether something may be plagiarism or another form of academic dishonesty, please reach out to me to discuss it as soon as possible. Any allegation of academic dishonesty may be referred to Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities, a unit of the Dean of Students Office, for possible review. If found responsible for academic dishonesty, a grade penalty can also be applied.

(Updated 12/18/23)

Suggested Syllabus Language for Teaching in the Age of AI

These suggestions were inspired by and adapted from the work of the Auburn University Biggio Center for Teaching and Learning’s guidance for course instructors.

Option 1

Generative AI use in this course is welcome with proper attribution.

In this course, students can use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Adobe Firefly) to complete assigned work, so long as the use of generative AI tools is properly disclosed through in-text citations, quotations, and references. Please refer to the style manual that aligns with your discipline for specific guidelines for attribution. Note that any use of generative AI must be both responsible and ethical. This means that students using generative AI are required to comply with all privacy laws and research requirements to protect data and must have appropriate permissions to enter data into a generative AI tool.  Students should clarify any questions on whether data or information may be entered into a generative AI tool with the instructor.

Option 2

Generative AI can be used in this course at specified times with proper attribution.

In this course, students can use generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Adobe Firefly) to complete specific assignments, given instructor guidance and permission, so long as the use of generative AI tools is properly disclosed through in-text citations, quotations, and references. Please refer to the style manual that aligns with your discipline for specific guidelines for attribution. Note that any use of generative AI must be both responsible and ethical. This means that students using generative AI are required to comply with all privacy laws and research requirements to protect data and must have appropriate permissions to enter data into a generative AI tool. Students should clarify any questions on whether data or information may be entered into a generative AI tool with the instructor.

Option 3

While students might use generative AI tools to support independent study practices (e.g., creation of extra practice problems, brainstorming of ideas), content created in whole or in part by AI may not be incorporated into any assigned coursework.

In this course, the use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Adobe Firefly) is not permitted during the completion of any assigned work. Use of a generative AI tool to complete assigned work in whole or in part may be referred under the Code of Student Conduct academic dishonesty provisions for further action by the Dean of Students Office. Students may use generative AI tools to support their independent study of course topics but should do so with the understanding that generative AI tools may not be trustworthy. 

Option 4

Generative AI use is not permitted in this class.

In this course, the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT or Adobe Firefly is not permitted to support the completion of any assigned work. This includes, but is not limited to, using generative AI tools to ideate, pre-plan, edit, translate, or otherwise create original material you claim to be solely your creation. Use of a generative AI tool to complete assigned work in whole or in part may be referred under the Code of Student Conduct academic dishonesty provisions for further action by the Dean of Students Office.

(Updated 11/30/21)

Illinois State University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for the University community. Ask students to ensure they have downloaded the SafeRedbirds app. Also, note the information posted in each classroom about emergency shelters and evacuation assembly areas (both are indicated on stickers inside every classroom).

See this one-page reference sheet for talking points on the first day of class about this and a few emergency scenarios.

In the classroom and elsewhere, you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with Illinois State University’s Code of Student Conduct.

Engaging in civil discourse is both a privilege and a responsibility of living in a democratic society. This class will provide both anticipated and unexpected opportunities to engage in this kind of conversation. Thus, we will work to agree on a set of guidelines that ensures that our civil discourse remains civil.

(Updated 11/30/21)

ISU remains committed to creating and maintaining a working, learning and living environment that is welcoming, supportive, respectful, inclusive, diverse and free from discrimination and harassment.

ICRT

In addition, the Inclusive Community Response Team (ICRT) serves students by fostering an open and inclusive campus and responding to instances of hate and bias. You can learn more about how the team can help and report concerns on the ICRT website.

MCOT

The Multicultural Outreach Team (MCOT) is a group of staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students in Student Counseling Services dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community for our minoritized students. MCOT offers workshops which promote dialogue about identity, empathy, stereotypes, bias, privilege, power, white supremacy, and systemic racism. Students can learn more about MCOT at https://counseling.illinoisstate.edu/outreach/multicultural-outreach-team/

(Updated 03/01/21)

Life at college can get complicated. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, lost, anxious, depressed or are struggling with personal issues, do not hesitate to call or visit Student Counseling Services (SCS). These services are free and completely confidential. SCS is located at 320 Student Services Building, (309) 438-3655.

If you are worried about a friend and don't know how to help, you can call SCS and ask to speak to a counselor. The Kognito simulation, available through SCS's webpage, can also help you learn how to assist your friend in connecting to services.

(Updated 08/9/22)

Proctortrack is an exam proctoring solution available to instructors upon request.  To use this service, please fill out this request form.

The following syllabus language, created with input from the Office of General Counsel, is suggested for instructors planning to use this service (Updated 01/05/21):

You will be required to complete your exams for this course through Proctortrack software. You must download the software and complete a test run of the software by XXXXX date. For more information on the onboarding process, here is a short video. You can also read more about this process in this Help Desk article.

If you do not have the necessary technology capacity, please 1) email me to let me know and 2) then contact the Technology Support Center at Help.IllinoisState.edu. The Technology Support Center will assist with setting up your current computer or assist with receiving a loaner laptop that has the necessary capacity.

Students who would like to request an accommodation due to a disability should contact Student Access and Accommodations Services as they would for any exam. Please do so as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for processing your request for an accommodation

If you have other non-technology or accommodation related concerns, more information can be found here. 

It's hard to learn if you're hungry or couch surfing. If you are having difficulty accessing sufficient food to eat every day, affording required course materials/technology, or securing a safe and stable place to live, help may be available. I urge you to contact the Dean of Students Office to learn more.

Notice of recording a class session by the instructor

The University wants to make students aware that a course may be recorded by the faculty member for later use. Please understand that each faculty member makes an individual decision on whether recording and/or sharing their class materials is warranted. Any recordings that a faculty member makes available are for use by students enrolled in the class and are for the purpose of individual or group study only. The recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to publicly accessible web environments. Please do not independently record the course without prior authorization from the faculty member or an approved accommodation from Student Access and Accommodations Services office.

Regarding students making their own recordings

Full denial to record

Students may not use audio or video devices to record classroom lectures or discussions. Students with disabilities who need to record classroom lectures or discussions must contact the Student Access and Accommodation Services. Students who violate this policy may be subject to both legal sanctions for violations of copyright law and disciplinary action under the University’s Code of Student Conduct.

Permission required to record

Students who wish to use audio or video devices to record classroom lectures or discussions must obtain written permission from the instructor. Such recordings are to be used solely for the purposes of individual or group study with other students enrolled in the class. They may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to publicly accessible web environments. Students with disabilities who need to record classroom lectures or discussions must contact the Student Access and Accommodation Services. Students who violate this policy may be subject to both legal sanctions for violations of copyright law and disciplinary action under the University’s Code of Student Conduct.