Required Elements for Instruction in the College of Arts and Sciences

The following required elements are intended for a range of courses that have regular contact with students. Some instruction, such as occurs in independent studies and internships, may not neatly align with these expectations; instructors may choose different approaches in these cases as long as the instructional structure is clearly communicated with students. 

Expectations for teaching effectiveness and quality include: 

1. Creating and sharing a syllabus with students.  Each course must have a syllabus that clearly outlines the course objectives and expectations for the students. In the case of applied learning experiences or internships, a contract or similar agreement should aim to satisfy the items below. Syllabi and similar documents must include the following:   
   1. Course Learning Objectives: The instructor will include and define the learning objectives for the course.   
   2. Canvas/LMS Usage Statement: The syllabus should provide a brief statement outlining whether/how/how much the instructor will utilize Canvas. If Canvas will not be used for announcements and assignments, etc., the syllabus should indicate how students will receive such information. 
   3. Assessments and Evaluation Methods: Explain how the students will be evaluated in the course, what activities or output will be graded, and the type(s) of assignments they will be given.  See also #2 below. 
   4. Attendance Policy: The syllabus should include a clear attendance policy that addresses both tardiness and absences. It should also explain the policy for documentation of absences, if applicable.   
   5. Late Submission Policy/Make up class policy: Instructors may set late submission policies as they consider appropriate, and the syllabus must include an explanation of expectations and procedures for late submissions (whether any will be accepted, under what conditions and timeframe, etc.).  See also #7 below re: University Excused Absences. 
   6. Required Course Materials: The syllabus should include a list of all required course materials (such as textbooks, supplies, tools, and software) that students need to purchase in order to successfully complete the course.   
   7. Contact Information and Availability: The syllabus should include the instructor's preferred contact information, office location, office/drop-in hours, or how to set up an appointment outside class.   
   8. Calendar or Schedule of Activities  
   9. K-State Course Syllabi Statements by the Office of the Provost  
   10. What type of collaboration or use of resources (AI, open notes, etc.), if any, is allowed, and under what conditions 
2. Clearly communicating how students will be assessed and how they can access their performance progress.  Instructors will regularly assess student learning and make available the results (e.g., grades) of these assessments in a manner students can easily access (e.g., the gradebook in Canvas).  Additional details: 
   1. Instructors are responsible for maintaining a gradebook throughout the semester. Students should be able to access their grades, allowing them to have knowledge of their results. Student grades should be held in confidence (i.e., grades should not be publicly posted with identifying information). Instructors must adhere to FERPA requirements.  
   2. Assessed coursework should be returned to students in a timely manner. Timelines for grading are at the discretion of the instructor and/or their department but should be communicated to students. For example, if a project takes three weeks to be graded, that information should be shared with students in advance.   
   3. Where possible, instructors should assess student learning and provide results before the drop without a “W” and drop with a “W” deadlines. This information should be shared with students. Doing so early in the semester and communicating this feedback with students will help in any potential drop decisions.   
   4. Students should have sufficient notice of assignment due dates to be able to manage their assignments with their other student workload. If the instructor anticipates utilizing “surprise” assessments, that fact should be noted on the syllabus and at the beginning of the semester.  
3. Meeting course expectations for student contact time (notwithstanding the possibility of some needed cancellations) and being prepared for instruction. 
4. Communicating with students (and department head) as far in advance as possible when a need arises to cancel a class. 
5. Maintaining respectful interactions with students. Section D12 of the University Handbook addresses general expectations for professional conduct of faculty and unclassified employees. Section C46.1 stipulates that faculty and unclassified employees are expected to “show civility and respect to others with whom they work and interact.”
6. The instructor of record (and where relevant, members of the instructional team) should be accessible to students outside of class by 1) maintaining and sharing regular availability (e.g., regular office, zoom, or drop-in hours, regular availability before or after class); 2) being reasonably available by appointment to students who are unable to meet during scheduled times; and 3) responding to e-mails from students in a timely manner.
7. Instructors are also expected to comply with university-level requirements, as specified in the University Handbook. Examples include the policy laid out in F62 regarding University Excused Absences, accessibility standards in F125 , and C34.1, which requires a systemic collection of anonymous student feedback on classroom instruction, typically done via TEVALs.