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Instruction and Course Design
Primary Courses

The Offices of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs require university-wide use of primary courses that integrate syllabi into the learning management system course sites. A primary course contains a primary course syllabus integrated into a learning management system course site (including course layout, navigation, and learning objects).

University faculty and staff members create individual course sections by copying the primary course into course sections. Section instructors then update the course within the learning management system with their personalized section information.

The goal of this initiative is to provide students with a quality learning environment and faculty with a scalable and efficient process for creating and administering quality course sections.

About Primary Courses

Benefits of Primary Courses

  • Consistent quality and content across sections
  • Reduced time spent updating syllabi
  • Utilization of best practices in course design
  • Reduced faculty time spent on course section preparation

 

Definition of a Primary Course

A primary course serves as a ready-to-teach blueprint for a single course. The primary contains core course elements that do not change from section to section. This includes the overall structure of the course, course materials, assessments, and syllabus. Primary courses help to ensure that curriculum is provided to students in a consistent manner and can be delivered by multiple instructors.

 

Primary Course Qualifications

Generally, only one primary would exist per course. However, the below aspects can determine if a course qualifies for an additional version of a primary course.

  • Differing modalities (online, face-to-face, synchronous, asynchronous, etc.)
  • Course timeline (8 weeks or 16 weeks)

Elements of a Primary course

A primary course contains a primary course syllabus and its attendant primary learning management system course site (including course layout, navigation, and learning objects) that remains essentially the same across all course sections. University faculty and staff members create individual course sections by copying the primary course into course sections. Department chairs and authorized faculty are responsible for writing and maintaining primary courses.

LMS primary course and syllabus template process

LMS Primary Course Template

This learning management system (LMS) primary course template serves as the template for building primary courses. The LMS primary course template includes the required layout, navigation, and course components. The LMS primary course template includes both standardized course components and course information that requires customization by section instructors.

Contact cic@csp.edu for questions regarding access to the LMS primary course template.

Syllabus Template

The primary course syllabus contains course information that remains the same across all sections of a course. This standardized document is available as a PDF within the primary course. This Word document serves as the template for the writing of primary course syllabi.

Course Syllabus Template Version Log

Version Name/Number Date Updated Information
primary-course-syllabus-template-3.1.docx 5/2/24
  • Updated in-progress form link located in addendum
primary-course-syllabus-template-3.0.docx 7/24/23
  • Updated "Blackboard" references to "Learning Management System"
  • Added learning hours clarification wording
  • Updated Attendance and Participation section to include online engagement wording
  • Added additional AI wording help under Academic Integrity section
  • Updated Privacy Policy link and wording in Privacy statement section
  • Removed outdated resource link wording in Addenda
  • Updated copyright date
primary-course-syllabus-template-2.1.docx 3/23/22
  • Updated to the current CSP logo
primary-course-syllabus-template-2.0.docx 3/23/22
  • Updated engaged hours language to address credit changes, removed university outcomes section, and combined syllabi templates
primary-course-syllabus-template-1.0.docx 8/11/21
  • Updated and renamed to reflect “primary course” terminology
primary-course-syllabus-template-ge-1.0.docx 8/11/21
  • Updated and renamed to reflect “primary course” terminology
Syllabus-Master-Template-3.0.docx 5/8/20  
Syllabus-Master-Template-GE-3.0.docx 5/8/20  

Recommended Syllabus Language

Required Course Materials - Zero Cost

The below-listed wording is recommended in the Required Course Materials section of your syllabus in the event that the course does not require students to obtain any course materials (books, subscriptions, etc.), which are only available for purchase. 

As part of the University's commitment to addressing the high cost of traditional course materials, the materials for this course are provided to you in electronic format and free of charge. You do not need to purchase any textbooks or other course materials for its course. You can find all required and supplemental materials for this course in the Course Resource List.

 


Required Course Materials - Limited Availability through CSP Library

The below-listed wording is recommended in the Required Course Materials section of your syllabus in the event that the course requires students to obtain course materials (books, subscriptions, etc.), which are only available for purchase but may also be available through the CSP library with limited access. Examples: 1 copy is owned by the library, or an ebook license only allows for one user access at a time.

While digital copies of these materials may be accessible through the CSP Library and linked in the Course Resource List, there are limited copies available.

 


Class Delivery Modifications - Online Asynchronous Courses

The below-listed wording is recommended in the Class Delivery Modifications section of your syllabus in the event that the course is delivered online and asynchronously. 

While students are encouraged to check CSP email daily in case of emergency cancellations, the nature of this course (online asynchronous) should not necessitate any modifications.

Recommended Course Resource List Language

Required Course Materials - Limited Availability through CSP Library

The below-listed wording is recommended in your Course Resource List in the event that the course requires students to obtain course materials (books, subscriptions, etc.), which are only available for purchase but may also be available through the CSP library with limited access. Example: an ebook license only allows for one user access at a time.

This ebook supports a limited number of simultaneous users. If you have trouble accessing it, please try again later. You may also purchase a copy from the CSP bookstore.

 


Required Print Materials - No Electronic Copy Available

The below-listed wording is recommended in your Course Resource List in the event that the course requires students to obtain printed course materials (books, textbooks, etc.) that are not available in an electronic format.

Not available online or electronically. Please see your course syllabus for more information.