what does a course description look like

by Afton Yost 4 min read

A course description is usually written in paragraph form with complete sentences. A syllabus often contains timelines, calendars, outlines, bullet points and tables or infographics that quickly and concisely relay important information.

Course Description Guidelines
should be no longer than 125 words. should begin most sentences with a verb. should be student-centered and explain how the reader would benefit from the course. should be written in the present tense and active voice.

Full Answer

What is a course description?

Here are a few guidelines for the description: The description should run from 30 words to 120 words in length. Fewer than 30 is too sketchy. Too few words make the course look insubstantial and may not allow for enough information to be included. If a description is, more than 120 words, it is too long.

What is the difference between a course description&syllabus?

A course description is a brief summary of the significant learning experiences for a course. Course descriptions appear in individual Course Outlines and in the Program of Studies (POSs) for individual programs. Course Descriptions at Mohawk College Course descriptions should: Be student-centered, rather than teacher-centered or course-centered

How do you describe the benefits of a course?

A course description is a short, pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course focuses on content ... we are looking for a list of topics about 80 words maximum. A course description is used for:

How long is too long for a course description?

Essentially, it is a multi-page document that lists the courses taught at a school by discipline, complete with a brief description of each course. In addition to a brief overview of the course, the written description will sometimes include the grade …

How do you write a course description?

The following are tips for writing a course description:The course description should be no longer than 100 words.Write from a student-centered perspective.Use present tense and active voice.Use clear and simple sentence structure and language.Use gender neutral language.More items...

What is a course description?

A course description is. a short, pithy statement which informs a student about the subject matter, approach, breadth, and applicability of the course.

How do I write an online course description?

2:4216:08How to Write a Course Description that Converts: 13 Tips and Best ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEvery online course should have a great one or two sentence tagline. If you can't describe yourMoreEvery online course should have a great one or two sentence tagline. If you can't describe your course in two sentences. It might be time to rethink your content.

How long should a course description be?

The description should run from 30 words to 120 words in length. Fewer than 30 is too sketchy. Too few words make the course look insubstantial and may not allow for enough information to be included. If a description is, more than 120 words, it is too long.Sep 30, 2015

What is course description in college?

A course description is a brief summary of the significant learning experiences for a course. Course descriptions appear in individual Course Outlines and in the Program of Studies (POSs) for individual programs.

What is the difference between course description and syllabus?

A course description is usually written in paragraph form with complete sentences. A syllabus often contains timelines, calendars, outlines, bullet points and tables or infographics that quickly and concisely relay important information.

How do you write an introduction to a class?

Convey a sense of enthusiasm about the content and the form of the course. Include some information about yourself so students get a sense of who you are. Positively reinforce the information in the syllabus. Indicate your availability for questions and communication, and your communication preferences.

What is course outline?

According to the University of Lethbridge’s Teaching Center, a course outline is a document that benefits students and instructors as it is essential when designing any course. Also known as a syllabus, a course outline serves as a planning tool. As the syllabus is written, it also guides the instructor’s development of ...

What is a syllabus?

Finally, a syllabus also works as a reference for colleagues, administrators, and accreditation agencies.

What information should be provided about required readings?

Provide specific information about required readings, including title, author (s), edition number and availability (from where they can be purchased or borrowed). It is helpful to the students to indicate how each reading relates to a particular topic in the course. You may also like outline an essay.

What is assessment overview?

The assessment overview is a grading guide that allows students to see what weightings can apply to the different assessment elements of a course. An example of an assessment overview is below.

What is deal class?

Deals is a unique class. Nearly all class sessions are taught by former Macalester students, most of whom graduated with an Economics major. These guest professors generally share their post-Macalester career and educational journey with you, then spend more time talking about their current or most recent business venture (some might be nonprofit), and then focus on a particular transaction or "deal". Many of the presentations will be finance-oriented. Students in Deals are evaluated in four ways, 1) by class participation, including class lunches or dinners with guest speakers, 2) by short write-ups of the guest speaker presentations, 3) by an exam, and, 4) by a research paper related to a topic raised by a guest speaker. This course counts as a Group B elective.

What is economics 119?

Using a small number of fundamental economic concepts, this course provides a foundation for informed decision making regarding current economic debates . The course is intended for non-majors and does not count for the economics major. It is not open to students who have already taken ECON 119 - Principles of Economics.

What is accounting language?

Accounting is the language of business. One of the objectives of this course is to learn that "language." The emphasis will be on understanding financial statements both for profit and non-profit organizations. International accounting, ethics and investment decisions are also covered. This course is designed for students who desire an understanding of the elements of accounting as a component of a liberal arts education as well as for those who would like to study further in accounting or business. This course counts as a Group B elective.

What is ECON 235?

ECON 235 - Climate Change: Science, Economics, and Policy. Combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which traps energy near Earth's surface and leads to warmer average global temperatures. Combustion of fossil fuels also forms the backbone of the modern economy.

What is the tool of analysis?

The tool of analysis is the branch of economics known as the economics of organization and information, which will be used to analyze the operation, strengths, and limitations of central planning. The legacy of central planning forms the backdrop for an examination of the transition to a market economy.

What is microeconomics and game theory?

In particular, students will use microeconomics and game theory to study models of imperfect competition and understand the implications for consumer welfare. We will analyze firm behavior and strategic interactions such as price discrimination, predatory pricing, limit pricing and investment under different market structures. We will also discuss various public policies that affect the structure of markets and the behavior of firms, specifically regulation, deregulation and antitrust laws. This course counts as a Group E elective. It is a capstone course.

What is business negotiation?

Business Negotiations will cover frameworks useful in negotiating business agreements , but the negotiating skills learned can be helpful in many settings. Starting with the classic text "Getting to Yes", students in this course will learn to implement a principled approach to negotiating by focusing on the true interests of the negotiating parties, brainstorming to find ways to improve the outcome of all parties, and identifying and defusing the most common "dirty tricks" of unprincipled negotiators. In class, students will practice negotiating each week, in a series of one-on-one and multi-party negotiating exercises. Case studies will be discussed and alumni will be invited to share negotiating experiences. This course counts as a Group B elective.

What is a course description?

A course description provides a basic overview of what a class offers. A course description includes a course prefix, course number, course title, lecture and lab contact hours, semester credit hours, description of the class and prerequisites, according to Texas A&M University. It usually denotes what department is offering ...

Why is it important to have a course description and a syllabus?

It's easy to confuse a course description with a syllabus because both offer details about specific academic classes. However, a course description is generally written to help students decide if the course is one they want or need to take. A syllabus lists the specific course requirements a student must complete, ...

What is a syllabus in college?

A syllabus is much more detailed and lists textbooks and reference materials necessary for the class, important test dates, projects and points or grades necessary to pass the class.

Why do we need a syllabus?

You'll continually refer to it to remember important test or quiz dates, project deadlines and course requirements. You might need to double-check the instructor's policies or look up the teacher's office hours so you can schedule an appointment or tutoring session. A syllabus might also help you budget how much you need for textbooks ...

What is competency description?

Competency descriptions are built up over years to establish occupational profiles for jobs and job families and are of necessity, generic . However, the basis from which competency profiles should be developed is in the first instance, the standards of task performance and behaviours required in the job and teams.

Why are competency descriptions important?

Competency descriptions are very helpful when establishing what someone must be able to do, exhibit and know. They provide valuable information along with context specific training needs analysis when designing learning and development interventions.

What is impact driven by?

Impact is driven by performance , and few organisation leaders would say anything other than that their ultimate success hangs on the performance of the managers and their teams. The problem is that in many working contexts no one knows what observable and objectively measured good performance might look like.

What is exceptional behaviour?

Exceptional: generally behaviours that go beyond what is expected, someone does more than the acceptable standard, introduce s innovations, demonstrates what tomorrow ‘acceptable’ standard should look like. Not always used: innovation may post risk or deviate from a regulatory requirement.

Who is Jane Massy?

Jane Massy is globally recognised as a leading expert in measurement and evaluation of workplace learning and workforce development. She is a director and CEO of abdi and has been working as an evaluator in the domain of learning and development since 1993.

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Course Description

  • It is always important to give the students a brief idea of what the course is all about. This is also the section that informs the students on what subjects they will be taking should they enroll. Some syllabuses also provide a small descriptionof the subjects to give further detail on what they can expect for that subject.
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Course Goals

  • As you begin encoding the syllabus, it is important to ask these questions: What are the big ideas that you are going to cover in your course? What are the essential understandings that students will take away with them after the course has finished? It is imperative to define these course professional goals, as they will help you determine what you expect from your students, and wha…
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Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

  • At the end of the day, it is pointless to have your students taken the course if they have not learned a single thing. Which means formulating a syllabus is easier said than done since you also have to start designing outcomes that the students might achieve during their time in the university, and it is a valuable element to have in your syllabus. The outcomes are usually state…
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Assessment Overview

  • The assessment overview is a grading guide that allows students to see what weightings can apply to the different assessment elements of a course. An example of an assessment overviewis below. Quizzes: 50% Participation: 5% Journal Assignments: 20% Team Assignment: 10% Final Exam: 15% As well as including the overview of grading, a grading scale should be identified for …
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Assessment Plan

  • These assessment plans are built in line with student learning objectives as these indicate what the students will learn. While your assessment plan states how you, as an instructor, will gather evidence for achievement of the objectives. This will detail the type of assessments that will occur within the course structure, how they will be marked, and how they provide evidence of stu…
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Instructional Method

  • Though it is not always required, indicating on how the course is going be taught from here on is not really such a bad idea whether they would be lectures, seminars, video presentations, etc. But along the way, it is important to be evaluated by the very students you teach before the end of the semester as it also helps you grow as a teacher to see how your students feel on how you teach…
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Required Course Materials

  • Provide specific information about required readings, including title, author(s), edition number and availability (from where they can be purchased or borrowed). It is helpful to the students to indicate how each reading relates to a particular topic in the course. You may also like outline an essay. It is never a bad idea to go to the library as it provides access to course materials, both pr…
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Schedule of Activities

  • This portion of the outline should be built once the plan has been made. Once you understand how you want to assess your students, you can create activities that help facilitate the learning that needs to be done to help students achieve the objectives. Course activities should work in parallel with the assessment plan. If students need to provide evidence of learning by completin…
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Plagiarism Announcement

  • Students have the tendency to be lazy and due to that, they might end up copy-pasting someone else’s work and making it their own. With that said, you have to inform your students that a plagiarism detection service such as Turnitin will be used to ensure original quality work from the students. But should they request an alternative method of plagiarism detection because of priv…
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Reading List

  • This section will serve as a guide for the students on the textbooks and other educational materials during the entirety of the course. Listed below is an example of a course outline. Course Code: ENGL 105 Course Title: The Dynamic World of Neil Gaiman Course Description: Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books and graphic novels. His notable works i…
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