CLAS Syllabus Template

The CLAS syllabus template, revised for Fall 2023, can be found here. (As a reminder, CLAS is no longer using the syllabus insert.) Unless noted, the elements on this syllabus template are required for undergraduate and graduate syllabi.

The highlighted yellow text on the syllabus template provides instructors with additional guidance and examples; this text should be reviewed by instructors as they build their syllabus and should be removed or adjusted as appropriate. Instructors are free to add images, rearrange required syllabus elements, and/or address students directly (i.e., use second person) to best convey their course content.

Significant Updates to Note:

1. Absences: Some of the guidance around absences has been revised. Please review the revised Student Absences webpage (you may need to clear your cache to see the updated version, which says July 10, 2023, at the bottom of the page). Most notably, instructors should not ask students to provide documentation for short illnesses or mental health concerns.
2. Mental Health Resources: CLAS encourages instructors to draw students’ attention to the expanded language on mental health resources in this template at the beginning of the course and frequently throughout the semester.
3. AI Tools and Resources: Advances in AI generation technologies are rapidly evolving. It is helpful to meet as a department or curricular group to discuss impacts and/or integration in the classroom. In addition to the possible syllabus language and other guidance provided by OTLT, Tippie College of Business hosted a webinar, Introducing ChatGPT, in April 2023. The Chronicle of Higher Education also has a webinar on Academic Integrity and AI as well as many articles on the topic, including  4 Steps to Help You Plan for ChatGPT in Your Classroom. CLAS UP has collected a longer list of resources on the topic of ChatGPT and AI Large Language Models. Please email clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu for a current copy.

Syllabus Requirement

As a reminder, the University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences require that every organized course has a syllabus and that the syllabus follows the university requirements for information provided.

Syllabi should be available to students on the course ICON site at the first-class meeting or otherwise given to students by that date.

Departmental Review of Syllabi

DEOs must review all syllabi to ensure compliance with UI and CLAS syllabus policies and includes required elements. This review should be completed before the start of the semester so corrections may be made before the first day of classes.