The CLAS syllabus template, revised for fall 2025, can be found here. On the same page can also be found a supplemental document called CLAS Syllabus Resources. This document includes resources for instructors, resources for students, information about textbook ordering and pickup, and sample syllabus language about a variety of assignments and policies. Finally, on the same page can also be found a changelog, detailing the differences between the fall 2024 and fall 2025 syllabus templates.

One of the biggest changes in this version of the template is the use of headings throughout the document. This change greatly improves the accessibility of our syllabi by making it possible for screen readers to navigate from section to section rather than only advancing sentence by sentence. Another revision is around policies related to attendance accommodations. No policies have changed, but the template now emphasizes the need for more communication between students and instructors. Particularly when it comes to religious holy days, students might be unclear about the policy or unsure how to bring up the subject with instructors. We would like to help instructors bring more clarity to this topic and create conditions where students feel comfortable communicating with you about accommodations as early in the semester as possible. One other change to highlight is the requirement that every syllabus include a policy on the use of generative AI for that course. These policies should be as specific as possible and include the consequences for violations. For resources that can help with this topic and others, as well as the full list of template revisions, please see the three documents linked above.

As a reminder, the CLAS Syllabus Template contains everything you are required to include in your syllabus, including information you should tailor to your course, policies that need to be included verbatim or linked, and formatting expectations (for accessibility). You might remember that CLAS used to provide a syllabus insert that covered all necessary policies; the template takes the place of that insert. If you have already been using a previous version of the CLAS Syllabus Template, you may wish to work from an previous syllabus and refer to the changelog and current version of the template as a guide to what to update. Alternately, you may find it easier to start with the most recent version of the template and edit from there. Either way, you are responsible for including all required content, policies, and formatting in your syllabus.

Syllabus Requirement
The University of Iowa and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences require that every organized course have a syllabus and that the syllabus follow the university requirements for information provided. Syllabi should be available to students on the course ICON site at the first-class meeting or otherwise given to students by that date, if not provided earlier.

Departmental Review of Syllabi
DEOs must review all syllabi to ensure compliance with UI and CLAS policies. This review should be completed before the start of the semester so corrections may be made before the first day of classes.