Course Development Resources

Faculty have academic freedom to design their courses. Consult your department or program for guidance about creating appropriate learning objectives for a course’s level, its audience, and its place in the structure of the major or minor.

For general pedagogical support and course design help, we encourage you to reach out to the team at Learning Design and Digital Innovations (LDDI), in addition to conferring with your colleagues. You may wish to read through their resources on creating a syllabus or on available learning technologies. Individual design consultations are available on request.

Syllabus planning resources:

• Advice on navigating difficult classroom conversations
• Advice on designing for civility in online spaces
• Sample Accommodations and Honor Code Language
• Sample invitational syllabus template
• Sample language for AI policies
• Sample language on mental health
• Sample language on Title IX requirements
• Resources on teaching and Generative AI
• Wicker Wellness Excuse Policy

If you would like to design a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course, please consult this website for information about WAC learning objectives, and confer with the Director of WAC. See also the Course approval process.

If you wish to design (or redesign) your course to be part of Gen Ed, please review the Resources for Gen Ed course instructors and the FAQ. Reach out to the Director of General Education or your divisional representative on the Board for advice as you design the syllabus.

To understand how learning accommodations may impact your assignments and assessments, as you design your syllabus, please consult the Accommodative Services website, including the resources for faculty, and contact the Director of Accommodative Services.

If you think your course could contribute to an Interdisciplinary Studies Program, reach out to that program’s Director as you design the syllabus. For contact information, consult the current list of ISP directors and department chairs.

If you think part or all of your course might be a candidate to contribute to the Templeton Institute course offerings, consult these guidelines and reach out to the Director for more information.

If you have questions about the Honor Code or academic integrity as you design your syllabus, contact the Dean of Studies.

The Byron Nichols Fellowship offers tenured faculty a two-year stipend to support research and design of a new an innovative course.

A course may receive several different kinds of approval: AAC approval, Gen Ed approval, Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) approval, and Interdisciplinary Studies Program (ISP) designation.

AAC/WAC/ISP approval

You must send your new course syllabus to the AAC for approval as part of Union’s curricular offerings and listing in the Academic Catalog and Self Service. Note: Also use this process to request WAC designation and/or ISP cross-listing for a new course.

Guidelines and deadlines for AAC new course approval

• New Course Proposal Form: AAC, WAC, and ISP approvals

Gen Ed approval

This process is separate from AAC approval. It routes your syllabus to the Gen Ed board, which will review it in light of the learning objectives for the Area of Interest and Perspective(s) for which you seek approval. Before submitting, consult the Resources for Gen Ed course instructors and FAQ.

What you will need:

• Your approved course number from the Registrar's office
• A clear understanding of the learning objectives for the Areas of Interest and Perspectives
• A syllabus that clearly explains how your course materials, activities, assignments, etc. will allow students to reach the learning objectives of the Perspective(s) and Area of Interest you have selected

How to Submit: Use the Gen Ed course approval form. Courses are approved for Gen Ed on a rolling basis. We suggest that you apply for AAC approval first, unless time is of the essence.

Templeton Institute Approval:

Union's Templeton Institute calls each year for courses to contribute to its current theme. If you think your course might be a candidate, consult these guidelines, and reach out to the Director for more information.

To add Writing Across the Curriculum, or WAC approval to your existing course: Use this form to submit your syllabus to the Director of Writing Across the Curriculum for review and designation as WAC, WAC-R, or WS. See the WAC website for information about learning objectives.

To seek an Interdisciplinary Studies Program, or ISP designation for your existing course: Send your course to the director of the ISP program for review and cross-listing in an ISP. For contact information, consult the current list of ISP directors and department chairs.

To seek General Education, or Gen Ed approval for your existing course: Submit your syllabus to the Gen Ed Board for review and designation as part of the Gen Ed program. Before submitting, consult the Resources for Gen Ed course instructors and FAQ. You will need to attach a syllabus that clearly explains how your course materials, activities, assignments, etc. will allow students to reach the learning objectives of the Perspective(s) and Area of Interest you have selected. To apply, use the Gen Ed approval form.

In advance of each academic term, ITS will create Nexus sites for all new AAC approved courses being offered the following term. You will have access to the Nexus site at least four weeks in advance of the beginning of term.

For advice on setting up the structure of your Nexus site, creating assessments, using the gradebook and many other functions, consult the LDDI resources on Nexus Course support and their guide to creating an organized Nexus site. LDDI consultations are also available on request.

When students have registered for your upcoming course, they will be automatically added to your course roster in Nexus.

Your Nexus course site will remain available to you even after the term is over.

• Advice on navigating difficult classroom conversations
• Advice on designing for civility in online spaces
• Course Proposal Form
• Department Chairs/Program Directors list
• General Education:
  • General Education Website
  • Resources for Gen Ed course instructors
  • FAQ
  • General Education Course Approval Form
• Guidelines & Deadlines
• Honor Code website
• Nexus Courses:
  • the LDDI resources on Nexus Course support
  • guide to creating an organized Nexus site
• Resources on teaching and Generative AI
• Sample invitational syllabus template
• Sample Accommodations and Honor Code Language
• Sample language for AI policies
• Sample language on mental health
• Sample language on Title IX requirements
• Templeton Institute
• Wicker Wellness Excuse Policy
• Writing Across the Curriculum Website