Developing a Course Syllabus

The development of a course syllabus is an integral part of an instructor's overall pedagogy because the syllabus is provides students with a comprehensive overview of the course's aims and objectives, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies. In many ways, the course syllabus functions as text itself for each course. Because of this, much care must be taken in developing a syllabus that communicates all aspects of a course to students. Below is a list of strategies that has been adapted from Davis' text Tools for Teaching (1993).   

Provide Basic Course Information

Course information should include: current year, semester, course title and number, and meeting time and location. The instructor should list her/his name, office address, and a map for offices that are difficult to locate. Also include an office telephone number, the instructor’s email address, website URL, fax number, and office hours. Outline guidelines for how students should book appointments during office hours. List the contact information for all teaching assistants (T.A.s) for the course.

Describe Course Prerequisites

List all required knowledge, skills, and experiences that students should have prior to taking the course. Provide students with specific strategies for how they might prepare for the course if they do not have the required knowledge.

Describe the Course's Purpose

Provide an overview of the aims of the course.  

State Learning Goals & Objectives

List course objectives. List specific skills or knowledge that students will acquire with successful completion of the course.

Explain the Course’s Rationale

Provide students with an overview of why you structured the course in the manner what you did, for example, using a particular sequence of an arrangement by theme.

Describe the Course’s Format

Outline the various activities that students will be engaged in throughout the course. For example: fieldwork, research projects, lectures, field trips, and so on. Outlines required versus recommended activities and state how required activities will be assessed.

Texts & Materials

Clearly outline all required readings and texts. If possible, link readings to themes being examined in the course, especially if readings are assigned out of sequence from a text book. Indicate whether texts can be purchased from local bookstores and whether texts will be placed on reserve at the library.

Additional Materials

Identify materials needed beyond texts, such as lab equipment, safety equipment, art supplies, calculators, computers, drafting materials, and so on.

Assignments

Clearly describe all assignments that are required for the course. Include the expected length of each, with corresponding deadlines. Also include dates for quizzes and exams. Where possible, outline the format of each assignment (term paper, research essay, take home examination, and so on.

Assessment

Explain evaluation methods and the manner in which grades will be assigned. Give students a breakdown of how much each assignment will be weighted at the start of the course. For example, if students are able to drop their lowest mark, clearly indicate this.

Other Course Requirements

Cleary list whether students are expected to participate in online forums or study groups.

Discuss Course Policies

State course policies regarding attendance, late submissions, make-up tests, extra credit, extensions, illnesses, plagiarism, and so on. The instructor may also outline expectations for student behaviour and student responsibilities with respect to learning.

Accommodating Students with Disabilities

Clearly state that students with physical and learning disabilities must contact the instructor in order for accommodations/modifications for course expectations to be made (where necessary).

Outline the Course’s Schedule

The schedule should include the sequence of topics, readings, assignments, holidays, guest speakers, and so on. Ensure that examination dates are firmly fixed to provide students with sufficient time to prepare for them. Provide students with updated schedules when changes are made.