General Guidelines for Preparing a Syllabus 1
General Guidelines for Preparing a Syllabus[1]
Course Identification, Location and Meeting TimesCourse Title
Course Number and CRN
Term
Meeting location and times
Credit hours
Instructor Information
Instructor Name
Contact information
Preferred Contact Method
Office hours, location
Course Information[2]
Course description / The course description is the same as that which appears in the university/school catalog.
Course objectives / Objectives identify what students must say and do to demonstrate that they have successfully learned course content. Goals pertain to the instructor’s purpose of the course as to what students are expected to learn. Essential questions are often used to identify important concepts and inquiry oriented perspectives on course content (e.g., Why study the humanities? How does study of the performing arts inform out understanding of self and others?)
Prerequisites
Assignments
Method of assessing student achievement / Provide specific criteria for the evaluation of each graded activity. A rubric is one means of communicating this criteria. Align the evaluation of each graded assignment to the statements of expected learning for the course. The evaluation of graded assignments should inform instructors as to how well students are achieving the course learning outcomes.
Basis of Grade Determination / Explain how course assignments are calculated for final grade.
Bibliographic and Other Resources / Required and recommended texts, websites, videos and podcasts
Other course policies related to integrity of credit
Assignments, Assessments and Evaluations
Graded Assignments and Activities / Checklists and rubrics that will be used to assess student performance.
Submission information / How should assignments be submitted and the form that is expected (Blackboard or hardcopy; Word-Keynote, etc
Calculation of Final Grade / Identify how assignments and exams are weighted for the final course grade. Indicate how the final course letter grade will be determined.
Standards / Some disciplines, particularly in the professions, require that syllabi identify program standards that are addressed in a course. The standards are typically matched with course assignments and objectives.
Course Schedule and Policies
Calendar / Provide students with dates of course topics; required readings, assignments, and activities.
University Policies / Academic Integrity; accommodations for students with disabilities; campus emergencies
Course Policies / Provide students with your policies regarding participation (attendance), use of Blackboard, forms in which assignments are to be submitted, lateness, late submissions, civility, attire, use of digital devices, cell phones, eating and drinking in class, etc.
[1] Some ideas in this table are liberally taken from Drexel University’s Center for Academic Excellence.
[2] Items in this category are taken directly from the NYSED Office of College and University Evaluation website.