BUILDING A SYLLABUS

A well designed syllabus functions both as a course guide and a useful learning tool for students. You can see a Sample Tufts Syllabus here.

Getting Started

Ensure it is easy to read

• Have a consistent and simple layout, with concise language
• A graphic can illustrate relationships among concepts

Provide basic information on first page

• Course title and number, number of credits, course overview
• Any prerequisites
• Days, times and locations of class meetings
• Procedures for announcing class cancellations (e.g. notifications on Canvas)
• Professor name, office location, email address or phone number with preferred way to contact you
• Office hours Indicate the syllabus version date at the bottom of the page and indicate if it is final or tentative

Clarify course goals, objectives, and expectations

• Course goals & learning objectives or objectives
• Required textbooks and readings, supplementary readings
• Schedule:
  • Week-by-week assignments, tests, due dates, readings, etc.
  • Highlight important dates such as drop dates, holiday schedule changes, etc.
• Assessments:
  • Description of major assignments grading rubrics
  • Factors that influence course grades, especially those such as participation, attendance, tests, etc.
  • How to submit materials for grading
• Policies for absence, lateness, classroom conduct, missed work, and academic dishonesty
  • If you plan to use turnitin to identify plagiarism, you are required to note this in the syllabus.
  • Provide a statement about using AI (Developing Syllabus Statements for AI)
• Lab safety / health

Provide information about academic support services (varies by campus)

• Academic support information (StAAR Center at ASE, designated tutors, TA’s assigned to the course, etc.). See the Faculty & Staff Access Guidance Page from the StAAR Center for AS&E.
• Campus resources for supporting mental health (Faculty Guidance for Supporting Students’ Mental Health ) and circumstances meet with you to discuss accommodations.
• List relevant campus library services and hours of operation, see the libraries page for course support useful for instructors for useful information.

See Also

How do I create an inclusive syllabus? (Tufts CELT)

Your Syllabus Doesn’t Have to Look Like a Contract (Chronicle Vitae)

How to Get Students to Read Your Syllabus (Tufts Faculty Blog)

A Syllabus’ Worth of Difference (Poynter Institute)

Building a Visual Syllabus (University of Notre Dame)

DIY Syllabus (Chronicle Vitae)

Accessible Syllabus (Tulane University)