PROCEDURES

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to identify the characteristics of course outlines and course syllabi and their roles within Alexandria Technical and Community College.

This procedure must not be interpreted to expand, diminish, or alter the academic freedom provided under ATCC and board policy and Minnesota State collective bargaining agreements.

Course Outlines

Purpose

Course outlines communicate information about ATCC courses and how the courses align with applicable accreditation requirements.

Creation

Course outlines are created and maintained by faculty members and approved through the appropriate ATCC processes.

Content

A course outline contains the applicable elements of the course, including the subject, course number, course title, course description, credits, lecture hours, lab hours, prerequisites, co-requisites, Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goals, learning outcomes, the effective date, and other elements determined by the college.

Uses

For ATCC purposes, course outlines are used to advise students, to communicate with external parties, to determine course equivalencies for student transfers, for accreditation purposes, to communicate the essential elements of a course to faculty members teaching the course, for program and course reviews, for licensure applications and updates, and for grant applications. Students use course outlines for course selection, course transfers, and other purposes. Faculty members use course outlines to develop course syllabi, communicate the essential elements of a course to other faculty members, develop new or update existing curriculum or courses, and for program and course review.

Ownership

Pursuant to ATCC Policy 3.26 Intellectual Property, course outlines are considered institutional works owned by the colleges.

Record Keeping

ATCC enters course outlines into the student information system.

Course Syllabi

Purpose

Course syllabi communicate the details of courses taught by individual instructors.

Creation

Course syllabi are created by faculty members.

Content

A course syllabus includes the pertinent information from the corresponding course outline and the details of the course as determined by each individual instructor. The details may include meeting dates, times, locations, instructor contact information, grading policies, required materials, course requirements, statements or references to college policies, accommodation requests, etc.

Uses

Faculty members use course syllabi to organize class information and communicate the instructor's plan for conducting the course. A course syllabus helps clarify course goals and objectives, assessment and evaluation standards, grading policies, and student responsibilities associated with the course. Students use course syllabi as guides to learning and course expectations. Faculty and students may use course syllabi for student grade appeals.

The college, college departments, and college programs may use course syllabi for accreditation and licensure applications/updates.

College departments and programs may request from faculty their course syllabi for program reviews and curriculum development and reviews.

If the owner of the intellectual property grants permission, a course syllabus may only be used in accordance with the agreed upon permissions.

Dissemination to college administration

ATCC faculty members must provide a copy of the current course syllabus to the college administration. This procedure outlines the use of course syllabi.

Ownership

Ownership is governed by ATCC Policy 3.26 Intellectual Property and the applicable Minnesota State collective bargaining agreements.