Creating a University Creating a University Level SyllabusLevel Syllabus

Dr. Gayle A. KearnsDr. Gayle A. Kearns

Why An Effective Syllabus?Why An Effective Syllabus?

After today’s session, you will be able After today’s session, you will be able to:to:

Identify the elements that can Identify the elements that can strengthen a class session; andstrengthen a class session; and

Describe the 15 points for an Describe the 15 points for an effective syllabus.effective syllabus.

Why Do Students Attend Why Do Students Attend College?College?

Get a Better JobGet a Better Job 81%81%Learn about things thatLearn about things that

interest meinterest me 75%75%Make more moneyMake more money 68%68%Gain a general educationGain a general education 58%58%Prepare for graduate workPrepare for graduate work 48%48%

Why!! con’t. . . .Why!! con’t. . . .

Meet new peopleMeet new people 47%47%Learn study skillsLearn study skills 33%33%Get away from homeGet away from home 10%10%Could not get a jobCould not get a job 8% 8%Nothing better to doNothing better to do 2% 2%

Characteristics of A Good Characteristics of A Good Instructor . . .Instructor . . .

The ability to be fair and consistent The ability to be fair and consistent to studentsto students

Knowledge of the subject matter Knowledge of the subject matter (SME)(SME)

Ability to personalize the instructionAbility to personalize the instructionThe willingness to be flexibleThe willingness to be flexible

Characteristics . . .Characteristics . . .

The ability to reflect a positive The ability to reflect a positive attitude--nods, smiles, humorattitude--nods, smiles, humor

Skill in establishing definite Skill in establishing definite examination procedures--objective examination procedures--objective based, instructional sequencebased, instructional sequence

Willingness to provide study aidsWillingness to provide study aids

A Good Instructor . . .A Good Instructor . . .

The ability to perceive the material The ability to perceive the material or task from the students’ point of or task from the students’ point of viewview

Skilled in asking questions that make Skilled in asking questions that make students think without being students think without being threatened threatened

A clear and concise SYLLABUS!!!A clear and concise SYLLABUS!!!

What About That First Day of What About That First Day of Class??Class??

Be specificBe specific State the name of the State the name of the

coursecourse Identify yourself and Identify yourself and

some credentialssome credentials Let the students Let the students

introduce themselvesintroduce themselves

(optional and if (optional and if possible due to size)possible due to size)

That Infamous First Day!That Infamous First Day!

Review the Review the syllabus syllabus thoroughly (sign)thoroughly (sign)

Ask for student Ask for student questions and/or questions and/or feedbackfeedback

Review the course Review the course outlineoutline

15 Points for An Effective 15 Points for An Effective SyllabusSyllabus

First, just what is a syllabus?First, just what is a syllabus?A syllabus is the official document A syllabus is the official document

of the course.of the course.

Next, what does it show?Next, what does it show? It shows what will be required and It shows what will be required and

expected throughout the semester expected throughout the semester in terms of course work.in terms of course work.

An Effective Syllabus . . An Effective Syllabus . .

Thirdly, how does it aide the student?Thirdly, how does it aide the student? It helps to establish boundaries of It helps to establish boundaries of

what students can expect from their what students can expect from their professor/instructor in terms of professor/instructor in terms of instructional pace, grading and instructional pace, grading and personal interactions.personal interactions.

Regent’s PoliciesRegent’s Policies

Oklahoma State Board of Regents Oklahoma State Board of Regents states: “a syllabi will be prepared for states: “a syllabi will be prepared for all courses and filed with the all courses and filed with the departmental Chairperson and the departmental Chairperson and the college Dean. Syllabi will be college Dean. Syllabi will be distributed to students during the distributed to students during the first week of class.”first week of class.”

#1 - Name of the Course#1 - Name of the Course

Identify the name, number, section Identify the name, number, section and meeting times and placeand meeting times and place

An addendum may be the An addendum may be the prerequisites required to insure that prerequisites required to insure that the student is in the correct the student is in the correct sequence of course worksequence of course work

#2 - Professor’s Name#2 - Professor’s Name

State your name on the syllabus State your name on the syllabus (in addition to your oral (in addition to your oral introduction)introduction)

Professional/educational Professional/educational backgroundbackground

Credentials to teach the courseCredentials to teach the courseSpecial interest in the course Special interest in the course

subject (SME)subject (SME)

#3 - Office Hours and Phone/E-#3 - Office Hours and Phone/E-Mail/Fax NumbersMail/Fax Numbers

List office hours and office location List office hours and office location (give location markers)(give location markers)

List office phone and fax numbers, List office phone and fax numbers, as well as e-mail address (home as well as e-mail address (home numbers are optional)numbers are optional)

Encourage students to use office Encourage students to use office hours (or make appts)hours (or make appts)

#4 - Textbook Information and #4 - Textbook Information and other Resourcesother Resources

Discuss the benefits of the textbookDiscuss the benefits of the textbookDiscuss the strengths of any Discuss the strengths of any

enhancement resources (self-made enhancement resources (self-made packets, manuals, etc.)packets, manuals, etc.)

Give a brief bio of the author Give a brief bio of the author (optional)(optional)

#5 - Course Objectives#5 - Course Objectives

List all course objectives (complete List all course objectives (complete course)course)

Describe what will be learnedDescribe what will be learned Discuss the importance of learning this Discuss the importance of learning this

information and/or this skillinformation and/or this skill Relate the importance of this information Relate the importance of this information

to the students’ educational objectivesto the students’ educational objectives

#6 - Nature of the Course#6 - Nature of the Course

Discuss the methodologies to be Discuss the methodologies to be used throughout the course, such used throughout the course, such as lecture, discussionas lecture, discussion

Describe the importance of student Describe the importance of student participation concerning classroom participation concerning classroom interaction, independent study, lab interaction, independent study, lab sessions, service-learning etc.sessions, service-learning etc.

#7 - Course Requirements#7 - Course Requirements

Keep in mind, if it is not stated Keep in mind, if it is not stated specifically and accurately in the specifically and accurately in the syllabus, anyone who questions (or syllabus, anyone who questions (or files a grievance) will have a much files a grievance) will have a much better chance in their defensebetter chance in their defense

Also, watch undue hardships on Also, watch undue hardships on students with disabilities--ADA does students with disabilities--ADA does state that certain concessions must state that certain concessions must be made--Be Alert and be made--Be Alert and Accommodate!!!Accommodate!!!

Course Requirements, Point Course Requirements, Point #7#7

Written assignments:Written assignments:State specifically if the written State specifically if the written

assignments are required, assignments are required, suggested, extra creditsuggested, extra credit

State the length expectedState the length expected Identify the acceptable format--Identify the acceptable format--

computer-generated, hand-written, computer-generated, hand-written, MLA, APAMLA, APA

More Course Requirements More Course Requirements for #7for #7

Tests, quizzes and exams:Tests, quizzes and exams:Be specific on the types--scantron, Be specific on the types--scantron,

essay, etcessay, etcMaterial to be covered and Material to be covered and

sources--study packets, readingssources--study packets, readingsCumulative or notCumulative or notNo surprises—test only on No surprises—test only on

identified, measurable informationidentified, measurable information

Course Requirements . . Course Requirements . .

Special projects, such as Special projects, such as independent/group studies, term independent/group studies, term papers, oral presentations, book papers, oral presentations, book reports, etcreports, etc

Specify length (what counts);Specify length (what counts);Acceptable format--computer Acceptable format--computer

generated, handwritten, APAgenerated, handwritten, APATopical areas to be consideredTopical areas to be considered

Course Requirements . .Course Requirements . .

Labs:Labs:Type of lab--meeting times and Type of lab--meeting times and

locations;locations;Lab requirements, present with Lab requirements, present with

syllabus or at first lab sessionsyllabus or at first lab sessionLocation(s) of lab(s)Location(s) of lab(s)Support system within lab(s)Support system within lab(s)

#8 - Resources, References #8 - Resources, References and Suppliesand Supplies

Be specific on the listing of Be specific on the listing of resources, outside readings, resources, outside readings, bibliographies, visitations, etcbibliographies, visitations, etc

Identify supplies requiredIdentify supplies requiredGive specific details on operation of Give specific details on operation of

special equipmentspecial equipment

Point #9 - Grading and Point #9 - Grading and EvaluationEvaluation

DO NOT CHANGE THIS DURING DO NOT CHANGE THIS DURING THE SEMESTER!!THE SEMESTER!!

Identify what work will be gradedIdentify what work will be gradedExplain evaluation of Explain evaluation of

assignments--in addition to correct assignments--in addition to correct answers, tell if you are grading answers, tell if you are grading punctuation, spelling, grammarpunctuation, spelling, grammar

Point #9Point #9

Explain level of comprehension (give Explain level of comprehension (give scale for grades) of tests, special scale for grades) of tests, special projects, assignmentsprojects, assignments

Identify what percentage each Identify what percentage each component contributes to the final component contributes to the final grade--tests, quizzes, exams, special grade--tests, quizzes, exams, special projects, labs, attendance, class projects, labs, attendance, class participationparticipation

Point #10 - AttendancePoint #10 - Attendance

This is a very big issue/trouble spot This is a very big issue/trouble spot on all higher ed campuseson all higher ed campuses

There is no formal university policy--There is no formal university policy--professors set their ownprofessors set their own

Take attendance each classTake attendance each classSpecifically state what your policy is Specifically state what your policy is

in regard to absences--what is in regard to absences--what is excused vs. unexcusedexcused vs. unexcused

Point #10, con’t.Point #10, con’t.

Be specific on how work may be Be specific on how work may be made up with an excused absence--made up with an excused absence--give an exact time linegive an exact time line

State what is expected of students State what is expected of students who miss class due to extracurricular who miss class due to extracurricular activities, illness, etc.activities, illness, etc.

Point #11 - Special Point #11 - Special AccommodationsAccommodations

According to the According to the Americans with Americans with Disabilities Act, Disabilities Act, it is the it is the responsibility of each student to responsibility of each student to notify the University of his/her notify the University of his/her disabilitydisability

UCO policy states that the following UCO policy states that the following statement should be included in your statement should be included in your syllabus:syllabus:

Disability StatementDisability Statement

““ADA Statement: The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their request by contacting the Coordinator of Disability Support Services at 974-2549.

Point #12 - Fees (optional)Point #12 - Fees (optional)

Specify the amount of any additional Specify the amount of any additional fees needed to participate in this fees needed to participate in this coursecourse

Ex: A fashion trip to NYC, purchase Ex: A fashion trip to NYC, purchase of a laptop computer, articulation of a laptop computer, articulation with a professional association which with a professional association which requires a membershiprequires a membership

Point #13 - Drop/Add Policy Point #13 - Drop/Add Policy (Optional)(Optional)

State the university policy on dates State the university policy on dates to be followedto be followed

List the last day to withdraw from a List the last day to withdraw from a classclass

Any change of dates from the Any change of dates from the university should be communicated university should be communicated to the students in writingto the students in writing

Point #14 - Additional Point #14 - Additional InformationInformation

Other important information Other important information students need to know, such as, students need to know, such as, other duties you perform (Residency other duties you perform (Residency Teacher/Student Teacher Teacher/Student Teacher supervision, Faculty Senate supervision, Faculty Senate responsibilities, etc.responsibilities, etc.

Use of cell phones, pagers and other Use of cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices during classelectronic devices during class

Point #14 - continuedPoint #14 - continued

Other expectations or guidelines for Other expectations or guidelines for student conduct beyond attendance, student conduct beyond attendance, ie, habitual tardiness ie, habitual tardiness

Be very specific about: plagiarism, Be very specific about: plagiarism, cheating, and academic honesty for cheating, and academic honesty for your class as well as the entire your class as well as the entire campuscampus

Point #15 - Course Point #15 - Course Outline/CalendarOutline/Calendar

Address all major content areas, Address all major content areas, objectives for courseobjectives for course

Class meetings by date, Class meetings by date, topics/chapters to be discussedtopics/chapters to be discussed

Dates for quizzes, exams, mid-term Dates for quizzes, exams, mid-term and finaland final

Due dates for homework Due dates for homework assignments, special projects, term assignments, special projects, term papers, etc. (be specific)papers, etc. (be specific)

In SummaryIn Summary

An effective syllabus will establish An effective syllabus will establish boundaries for student expectation!!boundaries for student expectation!!

An effective syllabus will protect you, An effective syllabus will protect you, the professor, by validating what is the professor, by validating what is expected throughout the semester in expected throughout the semester in terms of course requirements!!terms of course requirements!!