Course Syllabus

✏️ How to Use This Template — Delete This Box Before Publishing

This page was produced using the Palomar Canvas Course Design App (a GenAI PlayLab App). You can choose to directly edit this page, or you can reproduce the HTML for this page using the app.

This is a plug-and-play syllabus template. Replace every bracketed placeholder with your own content. Example text is provided throughout to show you what good content looks like. All institutional policy statements in the Policies and Student Support sections are examples only — you are responsible for reviewing, revising, adding, or removing any policy to match your course, department, and current Palomar College requirements.

What to update on this page:

• Course and instructor information: Update every field in the course and instructor information sections each semester.
• Welcome statement: Write a personal, welcoming introduction to you and your course.
• Course overview: Copy the course description, objectives, and student learning outcomes directly from your active Course Outline of Record (COR). Do not change the official language. Access your COR at Palomar CurriQunet META.
• Required materials: List all required textbooks, materials, and costs. Be transparent about the full cost of the course.
• Course policies: Replace all bracketed policy placeholders with your actual policies. The example policies provided are starting points — revise them to reflect your course.
• Assessments and grading: Update the grading breakdown, point values, and letter grade scale to match your course exactly.
• Course calendar: Update the weekly schedule each semester. Dates and topics should reflect your current term.
• Institutional policies: The institutional policy statements in the Student Support section are examples drawn from the attached syllabus template. Review each one carefully. Revise, add, or remove policies as needed. You are responsible for the accuracy of all policy information in your syllabus.
• Check all links: Double check that all links are correct.

Delete this yellow box before publishing.

[Course Name and Number] — Syllabus

[Semester and Year]  |  Palomar College

Table of Contents

• Welcome
• Course Information
• Instructor Information
• Course Overview
• Required Materials and Resources
• Accessing Canvas
• Course Policies
• Assessments, Assignments, and Activities
• Grading and Feedback
• Course Calendar
• Institutional Policies and Student Support

Welcome

[Write a warm, personal welcome statement that introduces you and your course. This is the first thing students will read — make it inviting and human. Tell students something about yourself and what excites you about this subject. e.g., Welcome to [Course Name]! I am [Your Name] and I am genuinely excited to explore this subject with you this semester. Whether this course is required for your major or something you chose out of curiosity, I hope you will find it engaging, challenging, and worth your time. My goal is to create a learning environment where you feel supported, challenged, and respected. Please do not hesitate to reach out — I am here to help you succeed.]

Course Information

• Course Title: [Full course title as it appears in the COR. e.g., Introduction to Sociology]
• Course Number: [e.g., SOC 100]
• Section Number: [e.g., Section 12345]
• Units: [e.g., 3 units]
• Modality: [e.g., Fully Online Asynchronous | Hybrid | Face-to-Face]
• Days and Times: [e.g., Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM | Fully online — no scheduled meeting times]
• Term and Year: [e.g., Fall 2025]
• Classroom Location: [e.g., Room LRC-240 | Online via Canvas at palomar.instructure.com]
• Prerequisites: [List prerequisites, corequisites, or advisories, or write None. e.g., Prerequisite: ENG 50 or placement into ENG 100]

Instructor Information

• Name: [Your full name and title. Also note how you would like students to address you. e.g., Professor Jamie Rivera — please call me Professor Rivera, or Jamie if you prefer.]
• Email: [your.email@palomar.edu]
• Phone: [Office phone number, if applicable. Remove this line if you do not use voicemail.]
• Office Location: [Building and room number, or note if online only. e.g., Room LRC-240 | Online via Zoom only]
• Office Hours: [Days, times, and format. e.g., Mondays 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM via Zoom — link posted in Canvas | Wednesdays 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM in Room LRC-240 | By appointment — send a Canvas message to schedule]
• Preferred Contact Method: [e.g., Canvas Inbox is the best way to reach me. I respond to messages within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays.]

Course Overview

Course Description

[Paste the official course description from your active Course Outline of Record here. Do not change the official language or scope. Access your COR at Palomar CurriQunet META. e.g., This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of human social behavior, social groups, and society. Topics include culture, socialization, social structure, stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, deviance, and social institutions.]

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• [Student Learning Outcome 1 — copy directly from your COR. e.g., Analyze the relationship between social structures and individual behavior using core sociological concepts and theories.]
• [Student Learning Outcome 2 — copy directly from your COR.]
• [Student Learning Outcome 3 — copy directly from your COR.]
• [Add additional outcomes as listed in your COR.]

Course Objectives

To meet the student learning outcomes for this course, you will:

• [Course Objective 1 — copy directly from your COR.]
• [Course Objective 2 — copy directly from your COR.]
• [Course Objective 3 — copy directly from your COR.]
• [Add additional objectives as listed in your COR.]

Required Materials and Resources

Required Textbook

• Title: [Textbook title]
• Author: [Author name]
• Edition: [e.g., 5th edition — do not purchase an earlier edition without checking with your instructor first]
• ISBN: [e.g., 978-0-000-00000-0]
• Format: [e.g., Print or digital. A digital rental is significantly less expensive than a new print copy.]
• Where to obtain: Palomar College Bookstore, publisher website, or major book retailers.

[If you use OER or no-cost materials, replace the above with: All required readings are provided at no cost through Canvas. No textbook purchase is required.]

Additional Required Materials

• [Additional required item. e.g., Scientific calculator — TI-30 or equivalent. Remove this item if nothing additional is required.]
• [Additional required item. e.g., Course materials are available through Canvas at no additional cost.]

Additional Costs

[Be transparent about the full cost of the course. e.g., The estimated total cost for this course includes the textbook (approximately $[X] for a digital rental) and any required materials listed above. If cost is a barrier, please contact me before the course begins — options may be available. You can also visit the Palomar Library for reserve copies of the textbook.]

Accessing Canvas

All course content, assignments, grades, and communication take place in Canvas. You can access Canvas in the following ways:

• From the Palomar College website — select Canvas from the top navigation.
• From your Office 365 account — select Apps and then Canvas.
• Directly at palomar.instructure.com.

For Canvas and technology support, visit Canvas and Zoom Help for Students or Student Technology Help.

Course Policies

[The policies below are placeholders and examples. Replace every bracketed item with your actual course policy. You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all policies in your syllabus.]

Attendance and Participation

[Describe your attendance and participation expectations. Be specific about what counts as participation in your course. e.g., Regular participation is essential to success in this course. In an online course, participation means consistently engaging with the course content, contributing to discussions, and submitting work on time. Students who do not submit any work during the first two weeks may be dropped for non-participation — however, this is not guaranteed. If you decide not to continue in this course, you must withdraw yourself through MyPalomar.]

Drop and Withdrawal Policy

• Last Day to Drop Without a W: [Date — update each semester]
• Last Day to Withdraw: [Date — update each semester]

Simply stopping participation does not drop you from the course. You must officially withdraw through MyPalomar. If you stop participating without withdrawing, you may receive a failing grade. For enrollment support, contact Enrollment Services.

Late Work Policy

[State your late work policy clearly. e.g., Assignments submitted after the due date will receive a deduction of [X] points per day, up to a maximum of [X] days. After [X] days, late submissions will not be accepted. If you are experiencing a genuine difficulty, please contact me before the deadline — not after. I am more likely to work with you if you communicate early.]

Student Behavior Expectations

[Describe your expectations for student conduct. e.g., All students are expected to engage respectfully with their instructor and classmates. Disagreement and debate are welcome — personal attacks are not. All communication in this course should reflect the same professionalism you would bring to any academic or workplace setting. All students are expected to follow the Palomar College Student Code of Conduct.]

Academic Integrity Policy

[Describe your academic integrity expectations. e.g., Academic integrity means being honest and responsible in your studies and acknowledging the work of others. Submitting work that is not your own — including work generated by AI tools without authorization — is a violation of academic integrity and may result in a failing grade on the assignment or in the course. All students are expected to follow the Palomar College Academic Integrity Policy.]

Artificial Intelligence Policy

[Be very clear about your AI policy. Students need to know before they begin any assignment. Choose one of the options below or write your own. Delete the options you are not using.]

[Option 1 — AI not permitted: The use of AI writing or content generation tools is not permitted in this course. All submitted work must be entirely your own.]

[Option 2 — AI permitted with disclosure: AI tools may be used as a thinking aid or brainstorming tool, but all submitted work must represent your own original thinking and writing. If you use an AI tool at any stage of your work, you must disclose it. See each assignment page for specific guidance.]

[Option 3 — AI permitted for specific tasks only: AI tools may be used only for designated tasks as specified on individual assignment pages. When AI use is not explicitly permitted, it is not allowed. When in doubt, ask before you submit.]

For more information, see the Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence page in Canvas.

Assessments, Assignments, and Activities

Learning in this course will be practiced and demonstrated through a variety of assignments, assessments, and activities. Each is aligned with the course student learning outcomes.

[List your major assessments and assignments aligned with each student learning outcome. Add or remove items as needed. e.g.:]

• Course Learning Outcome: [Insert SLO. e.g., Analyze the relationship between social structures and individual behavior.]
  • Assessment: [e.g., Midterm Exam]
  • Assignment: [e.g., Reading Response Essays]
  • Activity: [e.g., Weekly Discussion Posts]
• Course Learning Outcome: [Insert SLO.]
  • Assessment: [e.g., Final Project]
  • Assignment: [e.g., Research Paper]
  • Activity: [e.g., Group Presentation]
• Course Learning Outcome: [Insert SLO.]
  • Assessment: [Assessment type]
  • Assignment: [Assignment type]
  • Activity: [Activity type]

[Add additional outcomes and aligned assessments as needed to reflect your full course.]

Grading and Feedback

Grading Breakdown

• [Assignment or assessment category and weight or points. e.g., Discussions — 25% or 250 points]
• [Assignment or assessment category and weight or points. e.g., Reading Responses — 20% or 200 points]
• [Assignment or assessment category and weight or points. e.g., Midterm Exam — 25% or 250 points]
• [Assignment or assessment category and weight or points. e.g., Final Project — 30% or 300 points]
• Total Points: [e.g., 1000 points]

Letter Grade Scale

• A: [e.g., 900 to 1000 points | 90% to 100%]
• B: [e.g., 800 to 899 points | 80% to 89%]
• C: [e.g., 700 to 799 points | 70% to 79%]
• D: [e.g., 600 to 699 points | 60% to 69%]
• F: [e.g., Below 600 points | Below 60%]

Point Breakdown by Assignment

• [Assignment 1 name = X points. e.g., Module 1 Discussion = 25 points]
• [Assignment 2 name = X points. e.g., Module 1 Reading Response = 20 points]
• [Assessment 1 name = X points. e.g., Midterm Exam = 100 points]
• [Add all assignments and assessments with their point values.]

Feedback Expectations

[Describe when and how students will receive feedback on their work. Be specific. e.g., I aim to return feedback on most assignments within 5 to 7 days of the due date. Larger projects may take up to 10 days. Feedback will be provided through the rubric and written comments in Canvas. I will let you know in advance if feedback will be delayed.]

You can view your grades and feedback at any time using the Grades tool in Canvas. See How to View Your Grades in Canvas for help.

Course Calendar

The schedule below provides an overview of the course. Dates and topics are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas announcements and reflected in the Canvas calendar. Check the Canvas Calendar for the most current due dates.

Week 1: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures. e.g., Read Chapter 1 | Watch Module 1 Lecture Video]
• Assignments and Activities: [e.g., Module 1 Discussion — initial post due Saturday | Module 1 Reading Response due Saturday]
• Class Meetings: [e.g., No class meeting this week — fully online | Class meets Monday and Wednesday]

Week 2: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 3: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 4: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 5: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 6: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 7: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

Week 8: [Topic Title] — [Date Range]

• Content: [Readings, videos, lectures.]
• Assignments and Activities: [Assignments due this week.]
• Class Meetings: [Class meeting details or remove if not applicable.]

[Continue adding weeks as needed to complete your full course calendar. A standard 16-week semester will have 16 weekly entries. A compressed 8-week term will have 8 entries. Copy the week pattern above and paste as many times as needed.]

Institutional Policies and Student Support

The following policies and resources apply to all students in this course.

[The policy statements below are examples — you are encouraged to review, revise, and adapt each one to reflect current Palomar College policy and your own course needs. Add policies that are relevant to your course and remove any that do not apply.]

Disability Resource Center and Academic Accommodations

[Example policy — revise as needed: Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as early as possible. Once you have received your official Academic Accommodation Letter, please share it with me so we can make the necessary arrangements. I am committed to ensuring you have equitable access to this course. For information on requesting accommodations, see Procedures for Requesting Academic Accommodations. Assistive technology support is available through the Access Technology Center.]

Pregnancy and Related Conditions

[Example policy — revise as needed: Palomar College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's doctor, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. If this applies to you, please contact me confidentially.]

Mental Health and Wellness

[Example policy — revise as needed: As a student, you may experience challenges that affect your ability to learn — including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or other personal concerns. These are real and they matter. If you are struggling, please reach out to me or to Student Health Services, which provides mental health and wellness support for Palomar students.]

Basic Needs — Food, Housing, and More

[Example policy — revise as needed: If you are experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, or other basic needs challenges, support is available. Visit the Basic Needs Hub to connect with resources. Please do not let basic needs barriers prevent you from participating in this course — reach out to me confidentially if I can help connect you to support.]

Title IX and Non-Discrimination

[Example policy — revise as needed: Palomar College is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. For information about Title IX rights and reporting options, visit Title IX and the Campus SaVE Act.]

Diversity and Inclusion

[Example policy — revise as needed: Palomar College takes pride in the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff. This course is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students regardless of background, identity, or experience. We do not tolerate hate or discrimination of any kind. Every student deserves to feel respected and valued in this learning community.]

Undocumented Students

[Example policy — revise as needed: Palomar College strives to make courses accessible to all students regardless of immigration status. If your status presents obstacles to engaging in specific activities or fulfilling specific course requirements, please contact me confidentially to discuss options.]

Financial Aid

[Example policy — revise as needed: Financial aid can help cover the costs of attending college for eligible students. For information about grants, scholarships, and other financial support, visit Palomar College Financial Aid.]

Learning Support and Tutoring

[Example policy — revise as needed: Free tutoring and academic support are available to all Palomar students. Visit Tutoring and Academic Support or the Tutoring and Learning Support Hub for help with coursework, writing, and study skills. The Palomar Library also offers research help, librarian support, and access to academic databases.]

Counseling and Academic Planning

[Example policy — revise as needed: Counseling Services offers academic counseling, educational planning, and student support. Whether you are planning your path to a degree, exploring transfer options, or navigating college processes, a counselor can help. Use the Palomar Pathways Mapper to explore programs and degree options.]

Questions About This Syllabus?

[Add a brief closing statement inviting students to reach out with questions. e.g., If you have questions about anything in this syllabus — course policies, grading, assignments, or anything else — please reach out before an issue arises. I would rather clarify something early than have a misunderstanding affect your experience in this course. My contact information and office hours are listed above.]

For a full list of student support resources, visit the Current Students Resource Page.