Course Writing Standards and Expectations

At Ravencrest Academy of Witchcraft, we are devoted to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, scholarship, and professionalism. To preserve the credibility and reputation of the Academy, the following Course Writing Standards and Expectations have been established. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all guidelines are to be considered mandatory for all instructors and course developers.

1. Course and Lesson Structure

Course Length

  • Each course must comprise a minimum of eight (8) lessons and may not exceed twenty-four (24) lessons in total.
  • Extensive subject matter may, at the discretion of the Academy, be divided into smaller, progressive modules to enhance student comprehension.

Lesson Length

  • Each individual lesson should be a minimum of 2,500 words to ensure depth and completeness of instruction.
  • Lessons must be logically organized, clearly written, and must adhere to all grammatical conventions.

2. Academic Writing Standards

Grammar and Syntax

  • All written materials must exhibit a high standard of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall composition.
  • Course submissions will be reviewed for clarity, coherence, and scholarly tone.

Use of External Sources

  • If referencing or quoting external works, proper citations are mandatory.
  • Instructors must avoid extensive reliance on external content; the majority of each course must be originally composed by the instructor.
  • Direct copying and pasting of content from outside sources, without appropriate attribution, is prohibited and will result in rejection of the course.

Research Requirements

  • Instructors are expected to demonstrate a reasonable command of their subject matter.
  • Supplemental research is encouraged; however, all secondary sources must be appropriately cited.
  • A Works Cited page must accompany any course that draws upon external research or published material for validation and administrative review.

3. Required and Recommended Study Materials

  • Instructors are encouraged to recommend supplementary readings and study resources to enrich the course experience.
  • Should external books, tools, or materials be required for course participation, these must be clearly specified within the Course Description.
  • Required materials must be reasonably accessible to the general public. Should any material be obscure or difficult to acquire, instructors are responsible for providing links or means of access.
  • Instructors must inform Academy Administration in advance if external materials are to be incorporated, enabling Ravencrest Academy to assist through the Academy Bookstore, where materials may be offered at discounted rates.

4. Assessments and Student Evaluation

Testing Requirements

  • Every course must culminate in a final examination designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of course objectives.
  • Final exams must be comprehensive and demonstrate a clear alignment with the course’s stated learning outcomes.

Study Questions

  • Each lesson must conclude with a set of knowledge-based study questions, designed to reinforce key concepts and promote critical thinking.
  • Specific guidelines for crafting effective study questions and final examinations will be outlined in the Instructor Workshop.

5. Course Descriptions and Summaries

  • Prior to final approval, each instructor must submit a detailed Course Description, which must include:
    • An overview of the knowledge and skills students will acquire;
    • A list of required materials, textbooks, or supplies;
    • Any external reading requirements;
    • Any materials that students must purchase.
  • In addition, a Class Summary must be provided within the course itself. This summary should outline each lesson’s content in no more than five (5) sentences per lesson.

6. Projects, Activities, and Student Materials

  • Instructors may incorporate optional projects or hands-on activities into their courses.
  • When assigned, such projects should be affordable for students or, if necessary, instructors may coordinate with the Academy to offer prepared kits through the Bookstore.
  • Under no circumstances may instructors require students to purchase materials directly from them for personal profit.
  • Instructors must submit an itemized materials list for approval if projects are included.

7. Intellectual Property and Course Releases

  • Upon submission, instructors must indicate, via a signed release form, the desired disposition of their course in the event of their departure from the Academy:
    • Removal of the course from Academy circulation;
    • Continued offering of the course under Academy stewardship;
    • Conditional offering based on future student interest.
  • Courses originating from another institution may not be repurposed for Ravencrest Academy unless:
    • The original institution has ceased operation;
    • Explicit permission has been obtained and documented.

8. Instructor Training Requirements

  • All prospective instructors must complete the Ravencrest Instructor Workshop prior to offering any course.
  • This training includes modules on:
    • Academic writing standards;
    • Lesson planning and instructional design;
    • Student assessment and evaluation techniques;
    • Academy policies and procedures.
  • Instructors must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) covering all proprietary information, forms, methods, and materials provided by the Academy.
  • Access to the Instructor Workshop is restricted. Instructors are prohibited from sharing login credentials or materials with the general public.

9. Use of Pen Names

  • Instructors may, if they choose, publish course materials under a Pen Name.
  • However, all legal documents (including contracts, releases, and agreements) must be signed with the instructor’s legal name, verified by a government-issued form of identification.

10. Age and Eligibility Requirements

  • All individuals seeking to author or teach a course must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

11. Course Levels and Placement

  • Courses will be classified into appropriate Course Levels or Degree Levels in consultation with Ravencrest Academy Administration and the instructor.
  • Placement will reflect the course’s content complexity, academic demands, and intended student audience.

12. Course Approval Process

  • Submission of a course does not guarantee its acceptance.
  • Ravencrest Academy maintains a Curriculum Review Committee that will oversee the evaluation of all course submissions.
  • The review process may require up to three (3) months, depending on course length, complexity, and revision needs.

13. Writing Courses Without Teaching

  • Authors who wish to write a course without teaching responsibilities may do so.
  • In such cases, the instructor must transfer full rights of the course to Ravencrest Academy.
  • Credit will be given to the original course writer within the course content.
  • Course writers are still required to complete the Instructor Workshop.

14. Teacher Compensation

  • At present, Ravencrest Academy does not offer financial compensation for course writing or instruction.
  • Compensation structures are under development and may be introduced in the future as the Academy expands.

Conclusion

These standards exist to maintain the excellence and credibility of Ravencrest Academy of Witchcraft. We thank all instructors for their dedication, scholarship, and professionalism in helping us nurture and inspire the next generation of magical scholars.