Home › Tips for an Effective Syllabus

Recommended Syllabus Content

Mon, 01/21/2008 - 10:41 — bxb11

A complete syllabus includes:

  • General Course Information
  • Course Goals and Objectives
  • Course Requirements

A complete syllabus should also have a collaborative tone and a quality look and feel.

Course Information

Answers the student’s questions: So who are you, what’s this class about, and what do I need to know about and/or to buy?

  • Course Title
  • Prerequisites
  • Instructor
    • Full Name
    • Office Location (include map link if online)
    • Office Phone, Email, Office Fax
    • Home Phone (optional)
    • Web Site (include link if online)
    • Office Hours
  • Course Goals and Objectives
  • Course Philosophy
  • Your Grading Policy (Required by Faculty Senate Within the First 10 Days of Class, Senate Policy 47-00)
    • Grading Scale - What is an "A,", a "B," etc.
    • Your Formula to Determine an Overall Course Grade?
    • What Assignments Are Graded?
    • Grading Criteria For Each Assignment
    • Late/Missed/Incomplete Assignments Policy
    • Exam Policy
      • Required by Faculty Senate Within the First 10 Days of Class, Senate Policy 43-00
      • Evening Exams Must be Listed
    • Extra Credit?
    • Attendance Policy
    • Class Participation Policy
    • Your Penalty for Academic Dishonesty?
    • See also the Policy Section
  • Class Location
    • Days, Times (include map link if online)
    • Lab Location
      • Days, Times
      • Lab Policies
      • Safety and Health Issues
  • Texts, Readings, Materials, Online Sites (required and supplemental)
    • Titles
    • Authors
    • Edition
    • URLs
  • Hardware and Software Requirements
    • Also include what students with disabilities will need.
  • Syllabus Subject to Change Statement
  • Academic Integrity Statement
  • Disability Statement
    • It is strongly recommended you have text transcripts available for all audio materials.
    • See also the Policy Section
  • Emergency Statement
    • It is strongly recommended you have a statement on what procedures to follow in case there is a University-wide emergency. Please see the Emergency Statement Sample below for suggested information and wording.

In the event of a University-wide emergency course requirements, classes, deadlines and grading schemes are subject to changes that may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor, class materials, and/or classmates, a revised attendance policy, and a revised semester calendar and/or grading scheme.

In the case of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the following about changes in this course:

    •    Course web page (list address)
    •    Instructor’s email (list address)
    •    Instructor’s chosen emergency telephone number(s) (list numbers)

For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to:

    •    Web Site(s)
    •    Telephone Number(s)
    •    PSUTXT (http://live.psu.edu/psutxt). This is a service designed to alert the Penn State community via text messages to cell phones when situations arise on campus that affect the ability of the campus - students, faculty and staff - to function normally.

 

 

Course Goals and Objectives

Answers the student’s questions: What will I learn in this class? What will I be tested on?

Please visit the Goals and Objectives section of this community site for more information.

Course Requirements

Answers the student’s question: So what will I have to DO in here in order to do well in the class?

  • List of Course Content and Expectations
  • Weekly Schedule
    • Sequence of Activities
    • Assignments and Due Dates
      • Details or Where to Location More Information
    • Quizzes and Tests
      • Dates, times, locations
  • Online Technical Requirements (if any)

Miscellaneous

  • Course Management System Information
  • Sources of Help
    • Help Labs/ Learning Centers
    • Tutors
    • Online Tutorials
    • Workshops for Software Training, Study Skills, Etc.
  • Glossary Of Standard Or Necessary Terms
  • Related Professional Organizations