Course Syllabus

Course Design for Cal Poly Pomona

CPP has taken a university-wide approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We have accepted the charge to dismantle systemic barriers of racism and discrimination that have too long been the norm in higher learning and our broader communities. CAFE fully agrees with these values and is committed to the urgent, ongoing work of creating and sustaining an inclusive campus climate in which all are welcomed and respected, our diversity is valued, and we strive for equitable outcomes not just equal treatment.

To that end, this Course Design for Cal Poly Pomona experience is based on specific information about our student body and our students' experiences, with particular attention to a significant cohort of our students:  First generation college students. 

In Fall 2022, 52% of Cal Poly Pomona students were first generation college students.  Many of these students are also low-income, and many are also Hispanic or Latino/a, Black, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and international.  

These students are fiercely determined to succeed, and we can support them by "uncovering" the hidden rules of college and the hidden rules of our disciplines, and by actively welcoming them and working to help them feel valued and respected, to feel that they belong.  The importance of the faculty role in their success cannot be over-stated, as we interact with every single one of them.  Our classes are a critical environment -- and the good news is, it's often not too difficult and is often very rewarding to create an environment in which they thrive.

Happily, course design and teaching strategies that support success for first generation students tend to support non-first-gen students as well.  So, we're not doing extra work for first-gen students:  We're doing effective work for ALL students.

This course design experience is primarily developed for faculty who are new to Cal Poly Pomona and/or who are newer to college teaching or have not delved much into the scholarship of effective teaching and learning at the university level.  If you are experienced at Cal Poly Pomona and/or have done a lot of development of your teaching, that's wonderful!  Your expertise is valuable, please share what you know with CAFE and with your colleagues wherever and however you can!

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the traditional territory and homelands of the California Indians. The Tongva and Tataavium people are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. We also acknowledge that this land remains the shared space among the Kizh, Serrano, Cahuilla and Luiseno people. We acknowledge the spiritual connection and rights as the original stewards and traditional caretakers of this land. We thank them for their strength, perseverance and resistance. Members of the CAFE team are guests on these lands.

How to use this Course Design resource

There is a LOT of material in this Canvas site.  Please do not feel like you have to go through everything all at once.  Instead, feel free to pick and choose what you need as you develop your courses for Cal Poly Pomona.  In other words, this is a buffet rather than a 20-course banquet!

Goals

Foundational knowledge 

    • Information on basic characteristics of the Cal Poly Pomona student body and your major in particular
    • Cal Poly Pomona policies regarding teaching
    • Basic literature on inclusive teaching and fostering belonging strategies shown to improve student success

Application 

    • Create syllabi that align with CPP policies and are student-friendly
    • Prepare course materials (activities, assignments, identify content) that support student success

Integration 

    • Identify some ways that teaching in your discipline can align with and enhance your disciplinary scholarship, and vice versa
    • Make a plan so that teaching fits into your life and doesn't take over your life

Human dimension 

    • Remember why your discipline is important to you
    • Reflect upon the difference you want your teaching to make for your students

Caring 

    • Begin to draft your teaching philosophy with regard to Cal Poly Pomona's student body, mission, and values
    • Form a habit of viewing students through an asset-based, rather than deficit-based, lens

Note: We used the Taxonomy of Significant Learning Outcomes (Fink, 2003 and 2013) as a framework for design. 

Course Requirements

Computer and Internet Connection

You will need access to a computer and Internet.

The Canvas Course site

There are weekly activities in each module that include considering background information (articles, websites, videos, podcasts).  Discussion boards are not active boards but are food for your own reflection as you progress on your course development.

Course Community Agreements:

By utilizing the assets in the Course Design for Cal Poly Pomona experience, you are consenting to abide by our community agreements in good faith to the best of your ability.

  • Seek to learn about, understand, and support others
  • Think through and re-read any writing you do or speaking you plan, so that you seek to avoid negative impacts on others, regardless of intent
  • Express all thoughts, verbally and written, in ways that do not threaten or dehumanize others by forms of oppression such as racism, sexism in any form, ableism, xenophobia, religious prejudice, etc.

Disability Statement

Cal Poly Pomona, and CAFE in particular, is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for learning and an electronic environment that is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. If you need accommodations in this program, please contact the CAFE team.