Course syllabus development and introduction
Purpose of a syllabus
The course syllabus serves as a contract between the instructor and students that clearly outlines course details. It is designed to communicate expectations for the course, and is typically discussed during the first class session. It is therefore important for faculty members to be thorough so that any questions that arise later in a course can be answered by revisiting the syllabus.
Components of a syllabus
Many campuses require that certain components be included in all course syllabi. A typical syllabus will include contact information, general course expectations, timelines, assignments, readings, assessments and grading policies. New faculty members should research what the required elements are for their department, college, or campus. These may include a mission statement, course description, course goals and objectives, student learning outcomes, accommodations for special needs, attendance policies, academic honesty policies, and other elements.
Short range planning
In the long range planning section there was discussion of the important step of outlining the big picture, collecting relevant materials, determining what topics should be addressed, updating knowledge and resources about the topics, setting out a timeline for topics to be addressed throughout the academic term, and crafting student learning outcomes. In short range planning faculty members begin to do the more detailed planning of what will occur during each course session. The product of this planning becomes the session-by-session listing of topics, readings, activities, assignments and assessments on the course syllabus. More details on how to make the decisions related to these elements of the syllabus will come in the instruction section. Often faculty create a table for this more detailed part of the course syllabus to increase access at a glance for students as they prepare for class, complete assignments, and study for assessment activities.
Syllabus templates and examples
New faculty members often ask colleagues in their discipline, department and/or college about availability of templates before beginning to construct their syllabi. Many campuses have syllabus archives that can be accessed to use as examples. Review a number of different styles and contents before determining what will work best for your students.
Introduce the syllabus
It is common for students to anticipate access to the syllabus online prior to the first class. In addition to posting the syllabus ahead of time, faculty members are expected to review the course expectations as outlined in the syllabus during the first class period. Faculty handle this in many different ways, some giving quizzes on the syllabus content, others engaging students as participants as they go over the details, still others covering highlights and asking if there are any questions. Whatever way new faculty members decide to introduce the content of their syllabi, many problems are avoided with a clear, consistent, updated, and coherent syllabus. Time spent up front making the syllabus outstanding will save many misunderstandings later in the academic session.
History
Brief History of the Syllabus with Examples
Snyder, J.A., (2009). Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University
This article examines the origin of the syllabus, and provides several examples.
Components of the Syllabus
Checklist: Components of a Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Gross Davis, B. (2006). Adapted from “The Comprehensive Syllabus” in Tools for Teaching, Jossey-Bass, 2nd Ed.
This four page chart outlines an extensive list of elements to include.
Components of a Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Teaching Effectiveness Program, Teaching and Learning Center, University of Oregon
This site provides an example write-up for each component of a course syllabus.
Components of the Syllabus
Center for Teaching and Learning
University of California, Berkeley
This site offers a list of possible syllabus components.
Syllabus Components: What you Might Include in your Syllabi
Carnegie Mellon University
This is a list of possible elements to include in a syllabus.
Creating your Syllabus
Sinor, J. & Kaplan, M., Center for Research on Teaching and Learning, University of Michigan
Specific examples are provided for each component of the syllabus.
Example Syllabi
Common Syllabi
University of Maryland, University College Europe
Hundreds of syllabi are listed alphabetically by the name of the course.
Syllabus Archive
College of Education, California State University San Marcos
Course syllabi from 2000 to the present are available online for Education courses taught at California State University San Marcos.
Syllabi
The Center for the Contemplative Mind in Society, Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education
Syllabi in a number of fields that incorporate contemplative practices are linked to this site, including American Studies, Architecture, Art, Organizational Analysis and Management, Comparative Literature, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Religious Studies, Dance, Economics, Education, Spanish Literature, French Literature, History, Information Science, Law, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Theatre.
Alternatives for Online Teaching
The Interactive Syllabus: A Resource Based, Constructivist Approach to Learning
Richards, S.L.F. (July / August, 2003). The Technology Source
The traditional course syllabus is ill prepared for use in online teaching. This article examines an alternative form for the syllabus to take in an online environment.
