what are the essential components of a course syllabus

by Miss Kirstin Strosin 7 min read

Components of Syllabus

  • Description
  • Compulsory. It seeks to help students understand the basic relationship between humans and the natural...
  • Learning Goals
  • Compulsory. List as specifically as possible what particular skills or knowledge you expect students to...
  • Content
  • Compulsory. Please outline the course schedule and content in detail, including the topic (s),...

Generally, a syllabus should include the following information:
  • Learning Objectives. What students will gain or take away from your course. ...
  • Goal/Rationale. ...
  • Basic Information. ...
  • Course Content. ...
  • Student Responsibilities. ...
  • Grading Method. ...
  • Materials and Access. ...
  • Teaching Philosophy.

Full Answer

What are the components of a syllabus?

Components of a Syllabus (Online and On-Campus Courses) A syllabus sets the stage for course development and management. The construction of a well-defined syllabus makes the development and management of an online or on-campus course much easier. Both face-to-face and online syllabi should include instructor information, course description, ...

What is a course syllabus and why is it important?

A course syllabus is one of the most important documents you will receive from your professor. Believe it or not, your course syllabus will play a vital role in the overall success of your course. What is a Course Syllabus? A course syllabus is an important document given to you by your professor on the first day of class.

What should be included in a course description?

A course description is a brief summary statement or paragraph about the nature of a course. Well-written course descriptions use active voice, whole sentences, and direct statements. To ensure consistency across sections and instructors, all instructors should take course descriptions directly from their institution’s catalog.

What should be included in a syllabi?

Both face-to-face and online syllabi should include instructor information, course description, course objectives (or course outcomes), course methodology, grading criteria, grade computation and course policies.

What are the components of course?

The three primary components of a course are the learning objectives, assessments and instructional strategies. Once these three components are identified, at least provisionally, the next task is to organize them into a coherent, dynamic whole. This involves: Deciding on a course structure.

What is a course syllabus for?

What is a Course Syllabus? A course syllabus is an important document given to you by your professor on the first day of class. Ideally, a course syllabus can be looked upon as a roadmap of your course -- it contains valuable information that will help you succeed and stay organized throughout the entire semester.

What are the characteristics of syllabus?

Characteristics of a Good SyllabusAn Introductory paragraph that tells the student what the class is about. ... Explicitly list the pedagogical goals for the course. ... Types of assignments and their “weight” in the overall course grade. ... A class calendar with reading assignments, course subtopics, due dates for assignments.More items...•

How many part of course syllabus are there?

four basicThe four basic parts of a syllabus are: Instructor information Near the top of the syllabus you will find the name of your instructor, their contact information, and office hours. Reading materials and supplies This syllabus section lists books, online resources, and other content you will need for class.

Why is a course syllabus important?

A syllabus lets students know what the course is about, why the course is taught, where it is going, and what will be required for them to be successful in the course (Altman & Cashin, 2003).

How do you create an effective syllabus?

Make It Stick: One HBS Professor Shares His Take on Course Development―and His SyllabusStep #1: Determine What You Want the Course to Achieve Overall. ... Step #2: Map Out the Arc of the Course. ... Step #3: Create Links Between Classes, Modules, and Cases. ... Step #4: Balance Technique with Overall Takeaways.More items...•

What should be on a syllabus for online classes?

Regardless of whether you teach an online class or a face-to-face class, you should make your contact information readily available on your syllabus. All syllabi should include the instructor’s name, e-mail address, phone number, and office hours. The relevance of other contact information depends on the type of class.

What is course description?

A course description is a brief summary statement or paragraph about the nature of a course. Well-written course descriptions use active voice, whole sentences, and direct statements. To ensure consistency across sections and instructors, all instructors should take course descriptions directly from their institution’s catalog.

What is the grade computation section of the syllabus?

The grade computation section of the syllabus is the second section to which students give considerable attention. You should specify the value of each graded item in the course so that students know how to weight their focus in the class.

What is a course objective?

Course Objectives (Course Outcomes) Course objectives, or outcomes, detail the specific goals of the course as they relate to student performance. Strong course objectives are specific, measurable, clear, and related. To be specific, objectives must identify the information students will learn in the class.

What is course methodology?

Course methodology refers to how the class approaches student learning. Many online courses feature a variety of learning methods, including readings, case studies, tests, quizzes, and discussions. Describing the course methodology gives students some expectation of the materials they will use to learn in the class.

What are specific objectives?

To be specific, objectives must identify the information students will learn in the class. To be measurable, objectives must identify the performance that students must demonstrate for mastery. To be clear, objectives must articulate the sum of knowledge addressed in the course.

Do syllabi have to be the same?

In addition, the syllabi for both face-to-face and online versions of the same class should provide identical course descriptions and course objectives, because most accrediting bodies (especially regional ones) require that all sections of a course, regardless of the delivery method, assess students equally.

What is a course syllabus?

A course syllabus is a document created by instructors to communicate all need-to-know information about how students can be successful in a specific course.

How do you plan a syllabus?

Before you begin constructing your course syllabus, you’ll need to gather and prepare to include a few key pieces of information. From the basic logistics to a weekly breakdown of the semester's schedule, let's walk through the six types of information you’ll need to include in your next syllabus.

What are the main principles of syllabus design?

Writing a syllabus that both prepares and excites your students for your course depends on more than just the information you include in it. Factor in how you include that information as well.

Where can you access a course syllabus template to begin planning?

When you're ready to start outlining your syllabus, first check with your educational institution. They may have a template that you're required to use to maintain consistency across courses. Even if a template isn’t required, they may have one that you can use as a starting point.

What is a course syllabus?

Academic Success Services. A course syllabus is one of the most important documents you will receive from your professor. Believe it or not, your course syllabus will play a vital role in the overall success of your course.

Why is a syllabus important?

If properly utilized, a course syllabus will help you plan your semester efficiently and help limit confusion and stress. In short, a course syllabus will indicate what you as a student will be expected to do in a course, and how your performance throughout the course will be evaluated and graded. Common questions about a course can often be ...

What is Suffolk University's ethical standards?

Students are expected to practice ethical behavior in all learning environments and scenarios, including classrooms and laboratories, internships and practica, and study groups and academic teams. Cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, use of unauthorized electronic devices, self-plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, and other types of academic misconduct are treated as serious offenses that initiate a formal process of inquiry, one that may lead to disciplinary sanctions.

What is textbook material?

Textbooks can refer to print or digital books and course materials may refer to different items such as calculators, clickers, computer software, etc.

Is a course syllabus easy to read?

At a first glance, a course syllabus may seem overwhelming, but be assured that it is actually a very easy to read document. Below you will find a list of sections you will commonly see your course syllabus, the type of information found in each of those sections, ...

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Instructor Information

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Regardless of whether you teach an online class or a face-to-face class, you should make your contact information readily available on your syllabus. All syllabi should include the instructor’s name, e-mail address, phone number, and office hours. The relevance of other contact information depends on the type of class. For example…
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Course Description

  • A course description is a brief summary statement or paragraph about the nature of a course. Well-written course descriptions use active voice, whole sentences, and direct statements. To ensure consistency across sections and instructors, all instructors should take course descriptions directly from their institution’s catalog.
See more on ctl.wiley.com

Course Objectives

  • Course objectives, or outcomes, detail the specific goals of the course as they relate to student performance. Strong course objectives are specific, measurable, clear, and related. To be specific, objectives must identify the information students will learn in the class. To be measurable, objectives must identify the performance that students must...
See more on ctl.wiley.com

Course Methodology

  • Course methodology refers to how the class approaches student learning. Many online courses feature a variety of learning methods, including readings, case studies, tests, quizzes, and discussions. Describing the course methodology gives students some expectation of the materials they will use to learn in the class. It also gives students the information they need to d…
See more on ctl.wiley.com

Grading Criteria

  • Many students focus their attention on the section of the syllabus that lists the grading criteria. Adult learners especially value having clear guidelines they can follow as they complete their class work. Therefore, you should spend time writing unambiguous grading criteria for each method you will use to grade students.
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Grade Computation

  • The grade computation section of the syllabus is the second section to which students give considerable attention. You should specify the value of each graded item in the course so that students know how to weight their focus in the class.
See more on ctl.wiley.com

Course Policies

  • Many institutions use standardized syllabi with predefined course policies; however, instructors often must rewrite course policies designed for face-to-face courses to make them relevant for online courses. For example, attendance policies that discuss tardiness and use of cell phones do not apply to most online courses.
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Attendance

  • Students must access the online course regularly to ensure that they receive the most up-to-date announcements. The learning management system reports each participant’s access times so that instructors can track student attendance. Students who access the course only one or two times per week may receive less consideration if they request extensions or make-up exams. It i…
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References

  • Mager, R. F. (1997). Preparing instructional objectives: A critical tool in the development of effective instruction.Atlanta, GA: Center for Effective Performance.
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