Is DE&I on the Syllabus? Assessing Inclusive Components of STEM Course Syllabi

Program Abstract: Syllabi serve many functions. For instructors, they are a permanent record of what has happened or will occur. For students, they mean much more. They are the students' introduction to both the course and its instructor; a signal of what values the instructor holds, and an early influence on students' self-efficacy in the course. Exemplary syllabi should go beyond the mechanics of the course and readings to promote an inclusive environment. How can an institution or its faculty members properly assess that their course syllabi embody these characteristics?

This session will examine Davidson College's Inclusive Syllabi Rubric, designed to assess the degree to which a syllabus achieves a learning-centered orientation. Applicable to a diverse range of levels, disciplines, and learning environments, the rubric provides summative information for assessment purposes and formative feedback to faculty members. We will illustrate how the rubric can be utilized and will share evaluation results and examples of syllabi.