Syllabi

Purpose

This policy provides the minimum requirements for Tacoma Community College faculty in the development and distribution of their syllabi to ensure equitable access by interested parties to course information. The syllabus is an educator’s primary communication tool concerning their course. Though it is not a contract, the syllabus contains vital information for students about course content, expectations for student and faculty behavior, grading, and other college policies and resources. This policy supports equitable access to learning by ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have the necessary information to navigate course expectations and college support systems.

This policy recognizes that the course syllabus is widely used as a record of course content. Colleagues and administrative staff have access to syllabi, often in critical academic situations. Transfer evaluations, reviews of course content, and decisions regarding student grievances are all made through reference to this document.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

This policy applies to all College Faculty.

Definitions

Syllabus: A document which communicates a course’s purpose, structure, expectations, and learning strategies, as well as the intentions, roles, attitudes, and strategies that faculty will use to promote active, purposeful, and effective learning. It outlines responsibilities and procedures for both faculty and students and serves as a platform upon which to stage, manage, and enhance the course. The syllabus is not a contract between faculty and students; however, it serves as a central instructional and informational tool for achieving the course’s learning outcomes.

Learning Management System (LMS): A digital platform, such as Canvas, designated by TCC for hosting course syllabi, instructional materials, assignments, assessments, and facilitating communication between faculty and students.

Courseware: Supplemental digital tools or platforms, such as WAMAP, that instructors may use to provide course content, assignments, or instructional activities.

Syllabus Repository: A designated system or database where course syllabi are stored for institutional record-keeping, faculty reference, and student access.

Faculty: Any instructor or professor, full or part-time, responsible for developing and delivering credit-bearing course content and adhering to institutional syllabus guidelines. This excludes Continuing Education faculty unless otherwise noted.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs): Clear, measurable statements describing what students should be able to demonstrate or accomplish upon successful completion of a course. CLOs are aligned with Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs).

Course Materials: Physical and digital materials needed to achieve the learning outcomes of the course. Examples of these materials include textbooks; art materials; online accounts and subscriptions; clothing requirements; etc.

References

• WAC 132E-122-080 (6)
• SBCTC Policy Manual section 5.20.15.1
• 2024 – 2027 Faculty Negotiated Agreement

Policy

Tacoma Community College faculty are required to have a syllabus for all courses.

The syllabi must (at a minimum) meet Tacoma Community College course syllabi guidelines. Specifically, the syllabus must include information for students about course content, materials needed for the course, expectations for student and faculty behavior, course learning outcomes, grading policies, primary courseware used in the course, and other required departmental, divisional, college, federal, state and SBCTC mandated policies and resources, such as disability accommodations and academic integrity.  A syllabus template containing required and recommended sections, as well as syllabus text examples, will be maintained and periodically revised by the Instructional Council, subject to that body’s procedures and approval. Faculty should refer to this template and any accompanying documentation when writing and updating their course syllabi. Syllabi should be updated regularly to reflect accurate policies, learning outcomes, and resources.

Procedure

1. Distribution Faculty are required to create and distribute the syllabus on or before the first scheduled class meeting.  The syllabus must be available during the first week of the course via the LMS and available in alternative formats upon request. Faculty are strongly encouraged to review the syllabus with students and address any questions or concerns at the start of the term.
2. SubmissionA copy of the course syllabus for each course being taught is to be submitted to the Syllabus Database no later than the end of the first week of the quarter. Individual syllabi need to be submitted for multiple sections of the same course. Departments or divisions will ensure syllabi are submitted by all faculty to the database.
3. RetentionSyllabi will be kept on file by the college for seven years.
4. Revision During the quarter, faculty must notify students in writing about any revisions to the syllabus in a timely manner. Syllabi may be revised during the quarter, but substantive revisions, such as the addition or removal of course materials or major assignments, changed polices which have bearing on grading and attendance, or changes in instructional mode, require that a new copy of the syllabus be submitted to the database with the word ”revision” added to its filename.
5. Review Syllabi will be regularly reviewed by departments and programs to ensure the syllabus aligns with department learning objectives, program requirements, college initiatives, and institutional policies.  According to section 4.30.K.3 of the 2024 –2027 faculty CBA, chairs are to assist with quarterly review of department syllabi.