Building a Course Syllabus
If you need help
building a course syllabus or if want
to develop an online syllabus, here are links
to a few helpful web sites:
Developing a Syllabus
Created by the staff at the Center for Teaching and Learning at the
University of North Carolina.
http://ctl.unc.edu/hpl3.html
Class Syllabus Template
Created by faculty at California State University in Fresno.
www.csufresno.edu/assocprovost/documents/web/syllabus_template_F03.htm
Online Syllabus Template
Use this online syllabus template as a guide for your online syllabus.
www.indiana.edu/~tltl/instrweb/web_templates/three/
On developing a syllabus
Three strong beliefs associated with a course syllabus*:
- The syllabus is the key tangible evidence of planning from instructor to the world.
- The planning manifested through the syllabus can reduce, before a class even meets, about half the work for teaching a course.
- The syllabus serves as a communication device and contract to shift the responsibility for learning to the student.
A course syllabus can be justified from an administrative, accreditation, instructor, or student perspective. These are the main groups that can benefit from a complete, detailed, and precise organization of a course. Possible functions of a syllabus:
- Describing course content scope
- Communicating course focus
- Suggesting prerequisites
- Detailing logistics
- Identifying course goals
- Sequencing/scheduling instruction
- Identifying performance objectives
- Constituting a contract
- Identifying reference material
- Providing modifications base
- Motivating students
- Permitting self monitoring
- Facilitating optional learning activities
- Establishing evaluation system
- Advertising/promoting/recruiting clientele
- Serving as an articulation tool
- Meeting accreditation requirements
* The original source of this information is unknown.