The purpose of a syllabus is NOT a contract, but instead:
- A marketing document
- An introduction to a course and its instructor
- A ‘map’ to the course including:
- expectations
- requirements
- conditions of engagement
- how to be successful
Key elements of a syllabus include:
- Instructional objectives
- Instructor contact information
- Evaluation criteria
- Expectations of students
- Important due dates
- Required and recommended materials
- Required proctoring arrangements
Important syllabus statements and reminders:
- Spartan Code of Honor
- Academic integrity
- OIE Information for Mandatory Reporters
- Attendance policy
- Model Statements for Disability Inclusion (from RCPD)
- Emergency issues
- Inclusion in the classroom
- Religious Observance Policy
- Mental Health Support (Developed by CAPS)
- Participation guidelines
Include Course Objectives:
- Must be consistent with University-approved course description found in MSU Descriptions of Courses catalog
- Make them clear
- Focus on a product/outcome, not a process
- State each as single outcome
- Personal learning goals
And of course, you need to cover how grading and evaluation will be approached:
- Be explicit about how students will be evaluated
- Share rubrics or grading criteria
- Remind students of approaching deadlines frequently
- Participation expectations
- Include resources that may help
- Primer on effective study skills
- Reading critically/effectively
- Writing tips
Remember, your syllabus is your opportunity to set the tone for your course. Make sure to include:
- Office hours, offer other options to meet student needs
- Set reasonable boundaries
- Can be friendly/conversational and also set high expectations
- Convey your passion about the subject
Accessible Document Templates
Templates for commonly used documents and content management systems. Keep in mind that templates may only help in structuring your content, the main content still needs to be formatted with accessibility in mind.
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