General Information for RSD Faculty

Religious Studies Division Office

The Religious Studies Division office is located in Room 180 of the Theology Building.

Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM, Monday through Friday

            5:30PM-8:30PM on class nights

Syllabus Guidelines

It is important to use the Syllabus Guidelines when creating your syllabus, as they enable the Seminary to be in conformity with accreditation standards. Please follow the grading scale appropriate to the course level. A copy of your syllabus must be submitted to the Religious Studies Division office on the first night of class.

If you are teaching a graduate level course, please consult the MA comprehensive exam study guides for a list of questions to be addressed in your course.

• Graduate Syllabus Guidelines
• Undergraduate Syllabus Guidelines

Book Orders and Library Reserve Materials
Booklists are to be uploaded directly to the Religious Studies Division website. To do so, send an email to scs.rsd.booklist@blogger.com.

a) Type the course number and the course name in the SUBJECT line of the email.

b) Type your booklist into the body of the email. Include the name, author, publisher, year, ISBN number, and approximate cost for each book, and indicate whether the book is required or recommended.  If you are requiring a book that is difficult to acquire, please offer a recommendation for how the book can be obtained.

To place books on Library Reserve, contact the library here.

Assessment Forms
At the end of the semester, you will be required to submit a Learning Outcomes Assessment Form for the class you are teaching. A sample is enclosed. Please read through the form and keep it in mind as you create your syllabus.

Meeting with the Academic Dean
All adjunct faculty must meet with the Academic Dean during the semester. Please contact the Religious Studies Division office to make an appointment.

Course Materials on the Web
Please contact the Religious Studies Division Office if you need to post information on the web for your students. You are welcome to request assistance from the Religious Studies Division staff when learning how to scan photocopies of all required reserve reading.

Technology in the Classroom
All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology for your use in class. If you would like some instruction, the Religious Studies staff will be happy to help you. If you do not yet have a login for the classroom computers, please fill out a Network User Request Form. This form can be obtained in the Religious Studies Division office.

           
Photocopying
The photocopy machine in the Religious Studies Office is available for copying materials for your classes. You may bring your materials to be copied to the office before class, or email them ahead of time to rsd@adphila.org.
           

Exams
The office needs copies of all exams. Please submit a copy of any tests given during the semester when they are administered. All undergraduate courses must include in-class midterm and final examinations. Final exams must take a major portion of the final class period. Abbreviated and take-home exams are not permitted.
           

Grading System
Please use the grading scale included in the syllabus guidelines when evaluating your students. This is the official grading scale of the Seminary.
           

Incomplete Grades
A grade of "I"- Incomplete may be issued only when work is interrupted for a justifiable reason. An "I" may not be given without the permission of the Academic Dean. An "I" must be made up before the last day of the subsequent semester.

Withdrawal from Class
In order for students to withdraw from a class, and official Withdrawal Form must be submitted to the Academic Dean. Failure to officially withdraw will result in a grade of “F” on the student’s transcript. Students may withdraw from a course no later than one week before the final examination.

Auditing a Class
Students must have permission to audit a course from both the instructor and the Academic Dean. To audit a class, an official Audit Request Form must be submitted to the Academic Dean before the fourth class. The instructor’s signature is required before submission to the Academic Dean. No student may audit a course unless he or she has been formally admitted into the Religious Studies Division. Normal tuition and fees apply when auditing courses. Audit Request Forms are available in the Religious Studies Office.
                    

Class Time and Locations
Every class is scheduled to meet for two and one-half hours, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.. At the discretion of the instructor, a ten to fifteen minute break may be given. Please do not exceed fifteen minutes or end class before the indicated time. Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom at any time. Please advise your students of this policy.

All classes will be held in Vianney Hall.

Class Schedule

The class schedule is created with accreditation requirements in mind. Therefore, please do not make any changes (i.e. cancel class, change exam date, change class time, etc.) without the approval of the Academic Dean. Changes will only be approved for serious reason. If you are unable to attend class, you must notify the Academic Dean and provide some alternative to make up for the missed class meeting.

If you would like to have your class use the Ryan Memorial Library during class time, please make arrangements with the library staff.

Student Lounge
            Refreshments will be available during break time in the Vianney Hall Lounge.
           

Library Orientation
The staff of the Ryan Memorial Library offers library orientations geared toward your specific course or research assignment. You may take your class to the library, or have a staff member come to your classroom. Contact Mrs. Cait Kokolus, Director of Library Services, at 610-785-6280 for more information.

Guest Speakers
Any guest speakers in class need approval from the Academic Dean. Please inform the Religious Studies Office about any guest speakers you plan to have in your class. The Seminary does not provide stipends to classroom guest speakers.
           

Library Book Orders
The Library staff is always looking to add to its collection. If you would like the library to order anything for its shelves, please let us know.  Click here to order books.

ID Cards
The Security Office of Saint Charles Seminary will issue identification cards to both faculty and students. These cards will be used for visual identification purposes only. You are required to wear the card whenever you are on campus.

Faculty mailboxes

All RSD faculty have a mailbox in the Religious Studies Division office. Please check your mailbox before each class for messages, announcements, handouts, etc.

Contracts

Your Agreement of Service will be in your faculty mailbox in the Religious Studies Division office on the first night of class. Please sign and return it before class begins.