what should a course syllabus contain

To do this, a syllabus should include the following:

• Basic course information (course by number, section, title, semester, meeting times, days, place, format)
• Instructor information (name, title, rank, office location, office phone number, e-mail)
• Description of the course content
• Course goals and objectives (linked to professional standards if appropriate)

Full Answer

What should be included in a syllabus?

A syllabus should make the rules for the course clear. It should set forth what is expected to happen during the semester, delineate the responsibilities of students and of the instructor, and describe appropriate procedures and course policies. To do this, a syllabus should include the following:

How long should a syllabus be?

There is no hard-and-fast rule about the proper length for a syllabus. If in doubt, it is usually best to err on the long side, to ensure that important course information is fully covered. At the same time, students will appreciate having key information in succinct form on the first page.

What are the components of a good syllabi?

However, there are common components that most successful syllabi contain. These components communicate to your students an accurate description of the course including the topics that will be cover, assignments and assessments students will be responsible for, as well as a clear source for policies and expectations.

How can I get help with course or syllabus design?

This page provides information that will guide you from the initial design phases of your course to polishing and distributing your syllabus. CTL is here to help! If you would like to schedule an individual appointment to talk about course or syllabus design please fill out our contact form.

What is contained in a course syllabus?

A syllabus is your guide to a course and what will be expected of you in the course. Generally it will include course policies, rules and regulations, required texts, and a schedule of assignments.

What components should be in syllabus?

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.

How do you structure a course syllabus?

How Do You Create a Syllabus?List your class's name and official course code (if applicable)Fill in basic course information.Create a course goal.Note and describe who you are.Note all needed materials.Create a class calendar.Note any policies that differ from school policies.Note grading systems, scales, and curves.More items...•

What are the most important things in a syllabus?

Perhaps most important, your syllabus is the "constitution" of your course; it is a contract that binds both you and your students. It details what you are going to give them and why. It specifies what is expected of them and how you are going to assess their efforts.

What is a good syllabus?

The most effective syllabus goes beyond listing the logistics and the topics covered in the course - it (a) articulates the conceptual framework for the course; (b) introduces students to the key questions or problems facing experts in the field; (c) suggests the ways in which an understanding of the course subject ...

What are examples of syllabus?

The definition of a syllabus is a summary of what will be covered in a course of study. An example of a syllabus is what a college professor hands out to his students on the first day of class. A summary of topics which will be covered during an academic course, or a text or lecture.

What is a course syllabus vs outline?

A course outline gives the basic components of the course required to be taught by all instructors; whereas a syllabus describes how an individual instructor will teach that course in terms of specific assignments, dates, grading standards, and other rules of conduct required by that instructor.

What are the elements of a syllabus?

Typical elements of a syllabus include: Course information (course title, quarter, your name) Contact information including your office location, phone number, and email address (some instructors also choose to include their pronouns ) Course description and prerequisites. Student learning outcomes. Required materials. Assigned work.

What is a syllabus in college?

Twenty years ago, many instructors would have described the syllabus as a “table of contents” or, alternatively, a “contract.” Today’s books on college teaching and course design are likely to draw on different metaphors: the syllabus is a map or travelogue, as it both describes the intended destination and explains why one might want to go in the first place (Nilson, 27).

What are the precautions for DePaul University?

Students, faculty and staff are expected to (1) wear a cloth face covering at all times while on campus, both inside buildings and outside on the grounds; (2) maintain physical distance (at least six feet) in all DePaul spaces (including classrooms, meeting rooms, hallways, rest rooms, offices, and outdoor spaces); (3) conduct a daily self-screening process for the symptoms of COVID-19 using the #CampusClear app before coming to campus; (4) complete the online Health and Safety Guidelines for Returning to Campus training; and (5) abide by the City of Chicago Emergency Travel Order. By doing these things, we are Taking Care of DePaul, Together. The recommendations may change as local, state, and federal guidelines evolve. Students who have a medical reason for not complying should register with DePaul’s Center for Student with Disabilities (CSD).

What is rationale in a course?

A rationale for the course stated in the context of the aims of the department and/or division; A statement on the types of instruction (i.e., lecture; lecture-discussion; lab, etc.); Specific materials required for the course (books, pamphlets, library materials, etc.);

Can you text in a classroom?

While in the classroom, internet-enabled devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and smartwatches can ONLY be used for the purpose of learning as required by the instructor. No texting, emailing, or web browsing is allowed in the classroom. Violation will result in losing all of the 10% class performance grade.

What is a syllabus?

The syllabus is a primary source of information to guide your students throughout the semester. A syllabus should carefully explain course components. Think of the syllabus as a roadmap you and your students can follow throughout the semester as you navigate the course.

What is the purpose of a syllabus?

The goal of a well-designed syllabus is to ensure students understand what is expected of them. Therefore, the syllabus should be easy to read, understand, and follow. Use welcoming and encouraging language and explain what you will do to help students throughout the semester. Most likely, your syllabus will be one of the first substantial means ...

What to do after creating a syllabus?

After you create your syllabus, ask a colleague or your department chair to check it for accuracy and clarity. Then, file the syllabus with your department as a record of your course, to use for accreditation purposes, and as a reference when students search for course information.

What is a course schedule?

Course Schedule. Many faculty provide a schedule format that clearly lays out the course meeting dates, assignments, readings, exams, and due dates, which can be very useful in helping students plan for the semester. Course schedules also help you stay on task. If you plan to develop a course calendar or schedule, ...

Can you customize a syllabus?

You can customize your syllabus to match your subject and teaching style, but personalizing a syllabus does not mean it shouldn’t be organized and thorough. The order in which the sections are presented here follows many syllabus models but can be arranged to fit your needs.

What should be included in a syllabus?

To do this, a syllabus should include the following: Important dates (e.g., assignment due dates, exam dates, and holidays)

What is a syllabus?

The syllabus as a permanent record. A syllabus should serve accountability and documentation functions. It should document what was covered in a course, at what level, and for what kind of credit. Such a syllabus contains information useful for evaluation of instructors, courses, and programs, and can thus be useful in course equivalency transfer ...

What is a syllabus in college?

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). By clearly communicating expectations, instructors can circumvent a whole host of student grievances and misunderstandings during the semester.

Why is a syllabus important?

The syllabus as a learning tool. A syllabus should help students become more effective learners in the course. While many of these items are not required for syllabi at Illinois, adding them can greatly improve students' ability to learn the material. To do this, a syllabus should include the following:

What is the purpose of a syllabus?

The purpose of the syllabus should drive the decision as to what content to include. Three major purposes that a syllabus should serve are as a contract, a permanent record, and a learning tool (Parkes & Harris, 2002). In many cases, items are essentially required—especially for General Education courses, according to the Provost's Office ...

What is the process of developing a syllabus?

The process of developing a syllabus can be a reflective exercise, leading the instructor to carefully consider his or her philosophy of teaching, why the course is important, how the course fits in the discipline, as well as what topics will be covered, when assignments will be due, and so on (Eberly, Newton, & Wiggins, 2001; Grunert, 1997).

Is a syllabus a personal document?

The syllabus is, thus, both a professional document and a personal document. When a syllabus reflects the instructor's feelings, attitudes, and beliefs about the subject matter, teaching, learning, and students—as well as setting out the “nuts and bolts” of the course—the syllabus can serve as a guide to the instructor as much as a guide to ...

What are the components of a syllabus?

These components communicate to your students an accurate description of the course including the topics that will be cover, assignments and assessments students will be responsible for, as well as a clear source for policies and expectations.

What is a syllabus?

The syllabus provides the instructor and students with a contract, a common reference point that sets the stage for learning throughout the course. Make sure that your students have easy access to the course syllabus by handing out hard copies on the first day of class and (if applicable) posting a digital copy on the course website.

What is included in a teacher's grade?

Instructors typically include a breakdown, in point values or percentages, of how much each assignment or test contributes to a student’s final grade.

How to write a syllabus for a course?

Before you start writing your syllabus, think first and foremost about the knowledge and skills students should gain in your course, then about how you will assess these knowledge and skills, and finally about the best ways for the students to learn them.

What are the parts of a syllabus?

We recommended that the syllabus be created in three main parts: (1) Course Description, (2) Course Outline, and (3) Policies and Procedures. Creating each of these parts separately gives you a set of three documents that can be easily adapted or directly reused for other courses taught. 2. The Course Overview Section.

What is course outline?

The course outline is a part of the syllabus that may be subject to change as the semester progresses. For example, a topic students find more difficult than anticipated may require additional time, or weather conditions may cancel sessions.

Why is it important to have a clear syllabus?

Because students will view the syllabus as a kind of "contract," it is important to be as clear as possible , and to avoid changing major aspects of the syllabus after the first day of class .

What is course expectation?

The Policies and Procedures Section. Course Expectations are policies and procedures that describe how you will treat students. What you include and how it is stated will influence your classroom’s climate. It is therefore important not only to state what you expect of students, but to explain why.

How many weeks should a distance education course have?

A time allocation framework (e.g., week 1, week 2, etc. to include at least 14 weeks for a standard academic year course session) All distance education courses must include a statement about the estimated instructional time commitments for students. For example, the syllabus could state that students will spend approximately 150 minutes ...

Do graduate students need to complete additional work?

Graduate students should be required to complete additional graduate level work (e.g., a research paper and/or substantive additional reading), and should be evaluated on a more rigorous basis than undergraduate students. Topical outline of content to be covered.