Prepping for the Semester Bill Reynolds, PhD, LCSW Director, Institute for Faculty Development Associate Professor of Social Work The Richard Stockton College of NJ August 25, 2015

Syllabus development 1 Wide variation in how individual programs handle syllabi Wide variation in how individual programs handle syllabi On one extreme, Social Work has master syllabi for all major courses, faculty have a little latitude, but not much, in adapting them. On one extreme, Social Work has master syllabi for all major courses, faculty have a little latitude, but not much, in adapting them. Other extreme, some programs have no master syllabi, and faculty who teach the same course make up their own syllabi, may even use different texts. Other extreme, some programs have no master syllabi, and faculty who teach the same course make up their own syllabi, may even use different texts. So, what should you do? So, what should you do? 2

Syllabus development 2 Small number of course objectives that reflect what you expect students to know and be able to do Small number of course objectives that reflect what you expect students to know and be able to do Consider a “promising” or “inviting” syllabus (Bain) Consider a “promising” or “inviting” syllabus (Bain)Bain –The promise(s): What this course promises the students Intriguing, provocative questions Intriguing, provocative questions High expectations (promote “growth” over “fixed” mindset) High expectations (promote “growth” over “fixed” mindset) Your commitment (passion, engagement, etc.) Your commitment (passion, engagement, etc.) –Ways to fulfill those promises; i.e., activities that naturally flow from promises (formerly course requirements, assignments) –Ways for the student and teacher to understand the nature and progress of the student’s learning (formerly “grading policy”) 3

Essential Learning Outcomes Stockton has launched a wide-ranging effort to articulate 10 essential learning outcomes (ELOs) that students should achieve during their college experience here. Stockton has launched a wide-ranging effort to articulate 10 essential learning outcomes (ELOs) that students should achieve during their college experience here. Stockton ELO web page Stockton ELO web page – –ELO Newsletter ELO syllabus statement (handouts) ELO syllabus statement (handouts) 4

General Studies (“G”) Courses Process takes time (details in new faculty workshop) Process takes time (details in new faculty workshop) –Info here: –Senate will be looking at the G course proposal process Don’t plan to teach new G course until 2 semesters after it’s proposed Don’t plan to teach new G course until 2 semesters after it’s proposed Inquire about existing courses Inquire about existing courses –Check course catalogue –Talk to colleagues –Seek assistance from Assistant Deans in your school. –Use mentor(s) as a resource 5

Suggestions Meet with in-program mentor in the first week or two of the semester Meet with in-program mentor in the first week or two of the semester –Ask for resources –E.g., sample syllabi, grading rubrics, videos, podcasts, etc. –Request “student” access to their BB courses –Ask them for precepting guidance (can you observe precepting sessions) Meet with colleagues who teach/taught the courses you’re teaching Meet with colleagues who teach/taught the courses you’re teaching Meet with an out-of-program mentor for additional suggestions Meet with an out-of-program mentor for additional suggestions Use the IFD Use the IFD 6

Suggestions: Grants Meet with Grants Director (Todd Regn) Meet with Grants Director (Todd Regn) Become very familiar with grants programs, calendar Become very familiar with grants programs, calendar –Internal funding, FY16 Internal funding, FY16Internal funding, FY16 –GO calendar calendar 2020 Initiative funds 2020 Initiative funds 2020 Initiative funds 2020 Initiative funds 7

Fall Calendar Available online-- Available online-- Upcoming dates Upcoming dates –Union session ("Community Engagement: Faculty Share their Roadmap to Community Engagement."): Thursday, 8/27, 8:00 – Noon, C134 –Fall Faculty conference: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 8:00 – 4:00 –New faculty workshops: Wednesdays from 9:55-11:10 in G137 Useful dates for syllabi Useful dates for syllabi –Dates for dropping, withdrawing from class –Precepting –Last day of classes –Grades due 8

Miscellany Allow extra time to get to class and the new faculty workshops the first few weeks of the term due to parking. Allow extra time to get to class and the new faculty workshops the first few weeks of the term due to parking. 12 month pay option—talk to HR You can request a computer lab for an individual class section if need be for the fall—do it early. You can request a computer lab for an individual class section if need be for the fall—do it early.request a computer labrequest a computer lab 13D, 13O: Tenure clock starts now 13D, 13O: Tenure clock starts now Mentee booklets in your folders (review tonight) Mentee booklets in your folders (review tonight) –Suggestions for a first conversation –Nail down a day/time that will be good for your mentor –Benefits (even if you don’t “need” mentoring) 9

Questions 10