The Faculty of Arts requires that the following information be provided on all course outlines within the Faculty:

• Course name, number, university name, faculty member(s), faculty member contact information, term and year of offering
• Course description and goals
• All assignments – due dates, percentage weighting relative to final grade
• All course requirements
• A clear statement as to how course work combines to determine final letter grades; as a minimum, students shall be referred to the appropriate academic regulations
• Course policy with regards to late and/or uncompleted assignments
• Required readings (if applicable)
• Participation requirements (if applicable)
• Scheduled events or activities outside of class/lab time (if applicable)
• Faculty of Arts Grading Scale:
  

  A+	90-100
  A	85-89
  A-	80-84
  B+	77-79
  B	73-76
  B-	70-72
  C+	67-69
  C	63-66
  C-	60-62
  D	50-59
  F	0-49

Procedures:

• Course outlines shall normally be distributed no later than the first meeting of each course and shall be included in materials required for the course.
• For every course taught, a member is encouraged to submit a copy of their syllabus to the Dean’s office during the first month of classes. This shall be done on a voluntary basis.

Liability Issues:

Issues pertaining to course outlines have proven to be sources of litigation on Canadian campuses.  Reflecting on our institutional obligations to students, it is advised that faculty members include versions of the following statements on their course outlines as applicable:

Ethics Compliance

• Human subjects research required for this course is conducted in compliance with the Tri-Council Policy for Research Involving Humans. The Brandon University Research Ethics Committee has issued an ethics certificate for this course.  All student research must be conducted in accordance with these guidelines and requires approval by the faculty member.

Protections Pertaining to Teaching in Controversial Areas: (Such statements should be customized for each course; what follows is an example only)

• Statement of “Fair Warning”: In this course students examine self/other identities from an interactionist perspective.  As a part of this work, students will be asked to examine their own identities and their relations to others.  Topics will include (but are not limited to) chronic illness, divorce, sexual orientation, relationships to community, stigma, and impression management.  Students may find the worldviews and/or practices discussed in class, required readings, or required research personally offensive, disturbing or otherwise troubling.  Any student not wishing to undertake this work should contact the instructor immediately so that enrollment in an alternative course more in keeping with the student’s interest can be facilitated.

The following is required to be on the course outline; other supplementary material can be included at the instructor’s discretion.

STATEMENT ON ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION

Brandon University values diversity and inclusion, recognizing disability as an aspect of diversity. Our shared goal is to create learning environments that are accessible, equitable, and inclusive for all students. Student Accessibility (SAS) supports students by developing an individualized plan of accommodation, helping students understand their learning needs, and assisting faculty with provision of accommodations for students. Should you anticipate or experience disability-related barriers, including permanent, chronic, or temporary disabilities/or medical conditions, you are invited to contact the Student Accessibility Coordinator or complete the Student Information form to request a confidential discussion with the SAS Coordinator. If you already have established accommodations with SAS, please contact me early in the term to discuss the accommodations outlined in your letter of accommodation.

Additional information is available on the Student Accessibility Services website.

Academic Integrity:

The Brandon University Academic Integrity Policy underlines the importance of all members of the BU community respecting and upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage (ICAI, 2014) in every academic activity. Students are responsible for ensuring they understand and adhere to these values.

Activities that depart from these values include, but are not limited to, the following: plagiarism, cheating, academic interference, falsification, unauthorized use of artificial intelligence (AI), and aiding others to depart from academic integrity.

Students found responsible for having departed from academic integrity will be subject to remedies and/or sanctions. Depending on the scope and impact of the departure as well as the student’s level of study and past academic integrity history, remedies and sanctions range from mandated educational activities through failure on an assignment/failure in the course to expulsion from the University and revocation of credentials/degrees granted.

All departures from academic integrity will be recorded in the BU Academic Integrity Repository, and certain sanctions will result in a notation on the student’s transcript.

The full Academic Integrity Policy, including definitions of academic integrity’s fundamental values, examples of activities that depart from academic integrity, and processes undertaken in cases of suspected departures from academic integrity, is available at www.brandonu.ca/senate-office/senate-policies

Faculty are also advised to be specific about authorized and unauthorized use of AI in their courses. The CTLT has provided a useful document that can help define this.

Exam dates:

In-class testing and in-class final examinations shall occur in the slot for the class as established in the registration guide. NO in-class tests or final examinations shall be administered where the time established for the test or the actual duration of the test exceeds the duration of the class or laboratory as established in the registration guide. This regulation in no way limits Brandon University’s duty to ensure that reasonable academic accommodation is made available for students with disabilities. (AFC Motion, December 8, 2015)

With the exception of laboratory examinations in the Arts and Sciences, no in-class tests or final examinations that are worth more than 10% of the final grade may be held during the last 14 calendar days of classes in the Fall or Winter term. (AFC Motion, December 8, 2015)

Statement of Limit

This policy is limited by Article 5 (Academic Freedom) of the Collective Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time and the Academic Regulations of Brandon University, as amended by Senate from time to time.

The following are recommended inserts into course outlines:

Mental Health Supports for Students:

Brandon University has two Counsellor Therapists who support students to resolve personal challenges that may arise during their academic career.  Appointments can be made by calling 204-727-9737.

Appointments and walk-ins with a University Knowledge Keeper can be made by contacting 204-727-7443.

Sexual Violence Education and Prevention:

BU is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, assault, or any form of gender-based violence, there are several ways to seek support and report incidents. The Sexual Violence Education and Prevention Centre (SVEPC), located at 312 Clark Hall is a place you can feel safe, valued and heard. Stop by the office, contact Jessica Laxdal at LaxdalJ@brandonu.ca, or check out the website www.brandonu.ca/sexualviolence/get-help/ for more resources including the REES (Respect, Educate, Empower, Survivors) Platform, which offers avenues to connect with support services and report incidents. Jessica can also be reached by text/phone at 431-542-1707.

Diversity and Human Rights Office:

BU seeks to promote equality of opportunity for all, giving every individual the chance to achieve their potential, free from prejudice and discrimination, and the right to be treated with fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy. BU affirms an unwavering and unambiguous commitment to diversity, inclusion and universal human rights. In a snapshot, the Diversity and Human Rights Advisor Office;

• Develops & implements policies, procedures, & guides and training related to conflict resolution, human rights, EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), and employment equity.
• Assists students, staff & faculty with resolving conflict, addressing inequities, and mediation support.
• Conducts/facilitates investigations & assessments when needed. Please see Brandon University’s Guide to Conflict Resolution and the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention policy and Procedures and Complaint Form.

Students with questions or concerns related to these items can contact Cheryl Fleming at 333 Clark Hall, FlemingC@brandonu.ca, or call (204) 727-9785. More information including key forms can be found at: Diversity and Human Rights | Brandon University.

Initial policy approved 18 November 2003. Latest revision approved 28 August 2024. This policy will undergo biannual review in order to ensure it remains up to date and relevant.