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
- Include course goals, learning objectives and expectations
- Required textbooks and readings, supplementary readings
- Lab safety / health
- Week-by-week course schedule with assignments, tests, due dates, how to submit materials for grading, readings, etc.
- Description of major assignments on separate pages with grading rubrics
- Factors that influence course grades other than formal assignments: participation, attendance, tests, etc.
- Policies for absence, lateness, classroom conduct, missed work, and academic dishonesty
- Highlight important dates such as drop dates, holiday schedule changes, etc.
- If you plan to use turnitin to identify plagiarism, you are required to note this in the syllabus.
Provide information about academic support services (varies by campus)
- Summarize academic support information (StAAR Center at ASE, designated tutors, TA’s assigned to the course, etc.) and resources for supporting mental health (Faculty Guidance for Supporting Students’ Mental Health )
- circumstances meet with you to discuss accommodations, and list pertinent campus resources (See the Faculty & Staff Access Guidance Page from the StAAR Center for AS&E)
- 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)
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)