Course Development, Learning Resources and Syllabi

Each faculty member has a voice in recommending curricula, developing syllabi, and selecting learning resources. Recommendations regarding academic programs, courses, and learning resources are accomplished via departmental or systemwide committees. Many courses use digital learning resources and eTexts. Digital learning resources and eTexts are web-based resources that are digitally delivered and accessed through Canvas. Learning resources are adopted for one year, and faculty members should use the selected resources as they see fit based on their determination of how the resources link to current events, course content and/or the interests and needs of their current students. They may also use companion websites that often accompany eTexts, Open Educational Resources or other digital tools such as wikis, videos, websites or articles.

Faculty should carefully plan all courses and develop them to include the required weeks of instruction. Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with the Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology (CCIT) to develop courses during the term prior to the course being taught. Faculty may choose to make course content available to students all at once or on a weekly basis but should leave the content in previous modules available for the duration of the semester. Faculty are encouraged to contribute best practices and course materials to the course Blueprint. Course information and syllabi should be reviewed and updated each term to eliminate student confusion. 

Syllabi

The Master Syllabus Template can be found on the Provost/Faculty SharePoint site. Master syllabi for courses offered within each School/Division are housed in the dedicated School SharePoint site and/or Course Resource Bank in Canvas. The School Dean, Department Chairs, and/or Directors are responsible for ensuring that all master syllabi are kept updated and reflect current policies and procedures. All full-time and adjunct faculty within the School are provided access to these master syllabi and/or sample syllabi for the course(s) they have been assigned to teach.

A stipend is paid for the development of a new course. This does not apply to the modification of a course previously offered nor does it apply to the development of an existing course in a new format (e.g., online, accelerated, etc.). To be eligible for the stipend, the faculty member must complete all components required as approved by the respective Department Chair/Director and Dean. 

All courses and modifications developed by faculty members for use at Berkeley are the intellectual property of the College. Course-related materials are deemed “works for hire” under applicable copyright laws. A "work for hire" is work prepared by an employee within the scope of his/her employment. The College has the exclusive right to use, copy, modify, and disseminate such works and any derivative works, which the College has the exclusive right to create. Courses and course materials may not be used, copied, or disseminated (with or without modification) without written permission from Berkeley College. Faculty acknowledge these rights by using such materials (or offering them for use) in Berkeley College courses.