Frequently Asked Questions — HEA 1001
Overview
The following answers are designed to address common questions associated with Indiana HEA 1001, which asserts “A faculty member shall prepare and post on the institution’s website a syllabus for each course the faculty member is teaching.” The answers incorporate Purdue policies, evidenced-based research on effective syllabi, and options available in Course Insights (public-facing) and the Brightspace learning management system (LMS) (student-facing).
Consider the various audiences who need course information that may be found in a syllabus or LMS:
- Members of the public.
- Students enrolled in the course and members of the instructional team with access to the course Brightspace.
- Staff and other instructors who do not have access to the course Brightspace but who might need course information. For example, Purdue advisors or other Purdue instructors of the course.
- Staff from institutions other than Purdue who make decisions about accreditation, transcript evaluation, course equivalency, grade requirements, credit limits, articulation agreements and the like.
General Questions
What are the general required elements of a Purdue student-facing syllabus?
Each semester, Purdue Syllabus Guidelines are reviewed and published on the Innovative Learning website to be sure the most current updates, policies, and resources are provided to instructors. Follow these guidelines in designing a course syllabus and Brightspace. Not all details are required in the syllabus as long as they are present on the course Brightspace for students to access.
What elements must be included in a Purdue public-facing syllabus? *
The following elements should be found in a course syllabus posted by each instructor to Course Insights within one week of the first class meeting.
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course Information (Course Number, Name, Course Reference Number/CRN)
- Course Description (from the university catalog)
- Learning Resources/Texts list
- Types of Assignments/Assessments
- Grading Scale
Implementation Details
What Purdue courses need to have a public-facing syllabus posted to Course Insights?
Generally, every instructor teaching a credit-bearing course at Purdue in which students are enrolled and that normally includes a student-facing syllabus with the six public-facing elements — course information and description, learning outcomes, learning resources/texts, assignments/assessment, grading scale — should also have a public-facing syllabus with those elements posted to Course Insights. The syllabus requirement does not apply to non-credit-bearing educational experiences, courses in which no students are enrolled, or certain types of courses outlined in other FAQs.
Is a syllabus upload required for internship courses?
Courses listed in Banner that have traditionally provided students with a syllabus should post a public-facing version to Course Insights. If a syllabus is not usually provided to students, a public-facing syllabus is not required
Is a syllabus upload required for independent study and research courses, such as research PhD Thesis (RES), individual study (IND), practicums (EX), research-oriented seminars, and recitations (REC)?
Independent study and research courses are typically covered through contract and/or individual agreements with students rather than with a syllabus. Therefore, no syllabus need be posted to Course Insights.
If I am coordinating or teaching a multi-section class does every section need a public-facing syllabus posted?
1) If a course has multiple sections with one instructor, only one syllabus per instructor per course needs to be uploaded.
2) If a course has multiple sections with more than one instructor, then a public-facing syllabus for each instructor should be posted.
3) If more than one section is taught for a course using a common syllabus, a coordinator may upload a public-facing syllabus for each instructor.
My students will use copyrighted materials and intellectual property in the course. How can I make this available to them?
Core textbooks, materials, and learning resources should be listed on a public-facing course syllabus, but details provided within the student-facing syllabus and in Brightspace using reading lists and/or assignments. See Purdue’s guidance on the University Copyright Office (UCO) website and the University Policy on Intellectual Property.
I plan to update and adjust the course calendar throughout the class based on our progress. Do I need to include a full schedule with my syllabus?
A class schedule is not a required element of a course syllabus, but it is recommended in the student-facing syllabus and/or on the course Brightspace. Such a schedule on Brightspace might include dates or weeks for broader units with the topics that will be covered, as well as dates for major exams or summative assignments (e.g., presentations) since this can affect student planning and scheduling.
How do I share logistics information that students need during the semester?
Class logistics details like class meetings and how to contact the instructional team may be included in the course Brightspace and/or the student-facing syllabus posted to the course Brightspace. Whether it is included in the public-facing syllabus is up to the instructor of record.
Support and Resources
Where can I post other information on a course that my students will need?
Many details that students need for a course can be posted to the course Brightspace LMS. See the Purdue Brightspace Documentation – D2L Brightspace resources for resources in navigating Brightspace.
How do I provide access to a staff member in my department to Course Insights?
Departments can request the Course Insights security role via the Student Role Request found at https://www.purdue.edu/rolerequest. The specific role that should be requested is RegProfile 135 – Course Insights User. Once the role has been requested and the security assigned, a security administrator will be assigned to their designated course subject areas in Course Insights.
I am seeing incorrect courses assigned to me when I log into Course Insights, who can correct these?
Your department schedule deputy should be able to change assignments in Course Insights and upload syllabi if needed. I am an instructor with additional questions specific to my course.
Who can I contact?
- See the Tools and Resources tab on the Innovative Learning website or email innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu for assistance with Brightspace or other educational tools.
- For questions related to your syllabus content, email the Center for Instructional Excellence at cie@purdue.edu.
- For assistance with Course Insights, email Student-systems-course-insights-support@LISTS.PURDUE.EDU.
Feedback and Updates
How can instructors provide feedback on Purdue syllabus guidance?
Instructor feedback is welcome and maybe submitted to the Center for Instructional Excellence at cie@purdue.edu.