Writing a Syllabus—What is it?

Students consider your syllabus to be a contract and a guide for the course. Awell-written and organized syllabus tells the students you know what you’re doing, are organized, and have reasons for what you’re doing.

Writing a Syllabus—Why write one?

1. You will have fewer problems with students’ unfounded challenges of your grading.

2. The process of writing a good syllabus is the process of designing an effective course.

Writing a Syllabus—Basic Parts

Basic Course Information

Course Overview

Specific Course Requirements

Other Relevant Information

Writing a Syllabus—What to include?

Include everything a student needsto know to succeed in your course.

Click here to see a checklist for your syllabus. Feel free to print it out. Be sure to close the documentwhen you’re finished reading it.

Writing a Syllabus—What to include?

Look at this example syllabus andcompare it to the checklist.

What’s missing?

Click here to the Example Syllabus. Note the parts that are missing. Be sure to close the document when you’re finished reading it.

Writing a Syllabus—What to include?

After you have decided what ismissing from the Example Syllabus,

Click here to find out what shouldhave been included.

Writing a Syllabus—What to include?Missing from the Example Syllabus:

o Prof’s nameo Contact info: office, phone, e-mail, office hourso Level of course and Pre-requisiteso Full explanation of gradingo Elaborated explanations of assignmentso Due dates—TBA is not acceptableo Full text referenceo Learning disabilities policyo Classroom civility policyo Encouragement noteo Course calendar

Writing a Syllabus—What Else?

Make your syllabus: A reflection of your personality Encouraging and friendly in tone Visually appealing and easy to read

Click here to see an example of an effective syllabus. Be sure to close the document when you’re finished reading it.

Writing a Syllabus—Statements

There are some statements that youwill want to include in your syllabus.

Click on each to read samples.

Learning DisabilitiesAcademic DishonestyClassroom Civility

Click here to move to the next topic.

Sample Statements to include in a syllabus

Learning Disabilities:If any member of this class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations of any naturewhatever, the instructor twill work with you and the Officeof Disabled Student Services, 326 Student Union, to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. lease advice the instructor of such disability and the desiredaccommodations at some point before, during, or immediately after the first scheduled class period.Back to Statements

Sample Statements to include in a syllabus

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic dishonesty is not condoned or tolerated atOklahoma State University. Academic dishonesty is behavior which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is Employed in an attempt to gain undeserved intellectual credit, either For oneself or for another. By enrolling in this course, you have agreed to OSU’s guidelines at:http://home.okstate.edu/policy.nsf/0/3222fe17f2bfca56862562e0005edef6?OpenDocument

Back to Statements

Sample Statements to include in a syllabus

Classroom Civility:

As a member of this class, you become an importantpart of a learning community. Please be aware of yourbehavior and its effects on fellow students as well as onthe professor. Talking, coming in late, leaving early, andbeing discourteous can all diminish classmates’ learningexperiences in this class. In addition, realize that everyone this class might be in a position someday to recommend you professionally. Do all you can to earn and keep theirpositive opinions of you.

Back to Statements

Writing a Syllabus—Other Statements

Other statements you might want to include in your syllabus are:

Click on each to read samples.

Extra Credit PolicyGrade Dispute PolicyEncouragement Note

Click here to move to the next topic.

Sample Extra Credit Policies

If you want to have extra credit in the class:

From time to time, there might be extra credit possibilitiesin this course. I will let you know about those opportunitiesas they are available. Do not depend on extra credit to Salvage your grade in this class.

If you will not offer extra credit in the class:

There will not be extra credit in this class. Please spend Time working on the material assigned and reading yourTexts. If you are not making the grade you’d like to make In the course, please come talk to me so I can offer someStrategies to help you succeed at learning the material.Do not ask me for extra credit. Back to Other Statements

Sample Grade Dispute Policy

If you do not understand the reason you received a specific grade on any assignment, you may talk to me about it at any time. If you honestly believe a grade should be reconsidered, take time to review my comments and follow these instructions: Wait at least 24 hours after you received the grade but no more than one week to talk to me about it. Review your video or paper and take notes about areas that concern you Make an appointment with me and bring your original evaluation.

Back to Other Statements

Sample Encouragement Note

I hope you enjoy this course as much as I enjoy teaching it. If you are having any problems, questions, or just want to talk, I encourage you to contact me in person, on the phone, or via e-mail. I WANT TO TALK TO YOU!!!! Don't let small problems during the semester grow to a crisis at the end. It's always easier to fix anticipated difficulties than to untangle a mess.

Back to Other Statements

To Conclude:

Your syllabus is one of the most important parts of your course. Students use it as the guide to theclass. If you give it a lot of thoughts and spend time writing it, you will have a smooth semester.

Click here to check your

understanding of this information.

Which of the following is a reason to write a syllabus?

A. Students will never challenge your grading

B. It is a binding legal document

C. Writing it will help you develop the course

D. You can sell it to your students in the bookstore

Check your answer

Which of the following is a reason to write a syllabus?

A. Students will never challenge your grading

B. It is a binding legal document

C. Writing it will help you develop the course

D. You can sell it to your students in the bookstore

Which of the following are pieces of basic course information that you should include in your syllabus?

A. Extra credit policy

B. Classroom location

C. Prerequisites

D. Course readings

Check your answer

Which of the following are pieces of basic course information that you should include in your syllabus?

A. Extra credit policy

B. Classroom location

C. Prerequisites

D. Course readings

Which of the following will give students an overview of the course?

A. Course learning goals and objectives

B. Authors of the course textbooks

C. Attendance policy

D. All of these give students an overview

Check your answer

Which of the following will give students an overview of the course?

A. Course learning goals and objectives

B. Authors of the course textbooks

C. Attendance policy

D. All of these give students an overview

Now that you have completed this module, please press <Esc> to exit.