What is a course syllabus?
This resource describes the purpose of a course syllabus, recommends elements to include, and provides a suggested template. It is based partly on the work of O’Brien, Mills and Cohen (2008) who recommend a learning-centered approach to composing a course syllabus. We recommend you review the information which follows and choose elements of the template suitable to your course.
Note: This resource reflects the syllabus requirements as outlined in the Evaluation of Student Work, Course Syllabus section of the University Calendar. Required sections are marked with an asterisk (*). Become familiar with university policies and regulations relating to the provision of course information and to making changes to a course syllabus after it has been distributed to students. Your school, faculty, or department may have a unit-wide required or suggested syllabus template for your use.
Definition
A course syllabus is:
[a] concise outline of a course of study. But it is also the students’ introduction to the course, the subject matter and you. In addition to providing a schedule of class assignments, reading and activities, it should give students insight into and appreciation for the material. In a sense, then, it is not only the road map for the terms’ foray into knowledge but also a travelogue to pique students’ interest in the expedition.
(Nilson, 2010, p. 33)
Suggestions on the required elements and element details to include in your course should be consulted for more details.
Where can I find sample syllabus statements?
You may choose to include specific statements in your course syllabus that set your expectations for specific elements or approaches used in your course. These could include statements around attendance, participation, late assignment submissions, etc.
This section provides some suggested statements that you may adopt or edit to suit your instructional approach. Please note additional sample statements can be found on the Syllabus Element Details page.
Originally Published: June 20, 2017
