Common Syllabus Components

Goal

Part 3 of the AI Governance Guidelines: ready-to-paste syllabus language.

A complete AI syllabus statement answers a predictable set of questions for students. This part lists the components every statement should cover, then provides ready-to-use language mapped to the AI Use Tiers and to instructor AI use.

3.1 Required components of an AI syllabus statement

At minimum, an effective statement addresses:

Component	Questions it must answer
1. Permission & justification	Are students allowed to use AI? What is the instructor's reason for the policy? If permitted, is AI use required or optional?
2. Scope of student use	In what ways may AI be used in this course? What are the limits? Which assignment(s) sit at which AI Use Tier (see AI Use Tiers)? Where are the detailed rules located?
3. Platform recommendation	Which AI platform(s) may students use? Are any best-suited to the discipline? Which should be avoided? Are tools free, account-based, or institution-licensed?
4. Transparency / disclosure	How will students disclose AI interactions? Where are the directions for doing so?
5. Instructor AI use	How will the instructor use AI in course development? How will students be told when material is AI-generated?
6. AI-enhanced evaluation	Will the instructor use AI to evaluate student work? Why? With which tool? Is there an institutional license? If not, is student work anonymized, and can students opt out?
7. AI detection (not permitted)	State clearly that AI-detection software is not used for assessment or to determine integrity violations at the institution (see AI Policy for Students). This sets accurate expectations and avoids false-positive disputes.
8. Integrity & data	What constitutes a violation, and what are the next steps? How are FERPA and student IP protected when AI tools are used?

3.2 Ready-to-use syllabus language

Instructions: Copy the block matching the AI Use Tier for your course (or per assignment), then fill the bracketed placeholders. These build directly on the tiers in AI Use Tiers.

Tier A (0–2) — AI use limited

AI plays a limited role in this course. Most work is completed independently so you can build and demonstrate [foundational skills] on your own. Across the term, assignments sit at the lower end of the AI Use Tiers. Most are Tier 0 (no AI) or Tier 1 (AI for ideation), and a few may permit Tier 2 (AI-assisted). Every assignment states its tier; if none is stated, treat the work as Tier 1. Using AI in unintended ways will undermine the learning this class is designed to develop and does not demonstrate your own understanding, critical thinking, and expression. AI use is never required, and all coursework can be completed without it. Where AI is permitted, disclose how and where you used it through [disclosure method].

Tier B (1–3) — AI use permitted with limits

You may complete work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) in this class because using AI reflects the current reality of the workplace, builds your ability to critically evaluate AI-generated content, and develops skills for using AI as a supportive tool. AI is an integral but bounded part of this course. Assignments span the AI Use Tiers, as some are completed independently (Tier 0–1) so you can demonstrate your own capability, while others invite you to work with AI (Tier 2–3) to brainstorm, get feedback on drafts, or co-create. Each assignment states its tier and exactly what AI use is permitted, so read directions carefully, because AI is not allowed for every task. AI use is not required, and all coursework can be completed successfully without it. You will disclose your AI use through [disclosure method]. Suggested platform: [approved AI platform].

Tier C (2–4) — AI collaboration

AI is woven throughout this course. You are encouraged to use AI across most of your work, and assignments generally fall in the upper AI Use Tiers, including Tier 2 (AI-assisted), Tier 3 (collaboration), and Tier 4 (AI-led), though a few may be completed independently (Tier 0–1) to anchor specific skills. Each assignment states its tier. Because the goal is to build real AI fluency, you remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of everything you submit, and you will document your process through [disclosure method].

Instructor AI use — add when applicable

Your instructor uses AI for tasks such as [drafting discussion prompts, developing lesson plans, writing learning objectives] to free time for working directly with you and to model appropriate AI collaboration. AI-generated material you engage with will be labeled "co-created with AI."

Instructor feedback may be supplemented by AI-generated feedback, but AI will not be used to determine grades; this supports more detailed and timely feedback while keeping evaluation in human hands. [If licensed: Our institution has an agreement with BoodleBox, so these interactions comply with FERPA. You may request that your work not be uploaded by contacting your instructor.]

3.3 Data privacy, FERPA & intellectual property

When the institution has a license or contract with BoodleBox, that provider can act as a "school official" under FERPA's disclosure provision, and student data is covered by the agreement. Prefer licensed, institution-controlled tools for any task involving student data or student work.

When there is desire to use an unlicensed tool, instructors should: (1) connect with campus IT to ensure approval of the tool before use; (2) know and share the tool's terms of service and data-retention/training practices; (3) if approved, anonymize (de-identify) student work before submitting it and metadata stripped of direct and indirect identifiers is not PII under FERPA; and (4) offer students the ability to opt out of having their work submitted to a third-party tool.

Questions?

Email compliance@boodle.ai for governance specifics, or success@boodle.ai — typical response within 8 business hours.