General Guidelines for Preparing a Syllabus1
Course Identification, Location and Meeting Times
Course Title
Course Number and CRN
Term
Meeting location and times
Credit hours
Instructor Information
Instructor Name
Contact information
Preferred Contact Method
Office hours, location
Course Information2
Course description
Course objectives
Prerequisites
Assignments
Method of assessing student
achievement
Basis of Grade Determination
Bibliographic and Other
Resources
Other course policies related to
integrity of credit
The course description is the same as that which appears in the
university/school catalog.
Objectives identify what students must say and do to demonstrate
that they have successfully learned course content. Goals pertain to
the instructor’s purpose of the course as to what students are
expected to learn. Essential questions are often used to identify
important concepts and inquiry oriented perspectives on course
content (e.g., Why study the humanities? How does study of the
performing arts inform out understanding of self and others?)
Provide specific criteria for the evaluation of each graded
activity.
A rubric is one means of communicating this criteria. Align the
evaluation of each graded assignment to the statements of expected
learning for the course. The evaluation of graded assignments should
inform instructors as to how well students are achieving the course
learning outcomes.
Explain how course assignments are calculated for final grade.
Required and recommended texts, websites, videos and podcasts
Assignments, Assessments and Evaluations
Graded Assignments and
Activities
Submission information
Calculation of Final Grade
Checklists and rubrics that will be used to assess student
performance.
How should assignments be submitted and the form that is expected
(Blackboard or hardcopy; Word-Keynote, etc
Identify how assignments and exams are weighted for the final
course grade. Indicate how the final course letter grade will be
determined.
1 Some ideas in this table are liberally taken from Drexel University’s Center for Academic Excellence.
2 Items in this category are taken directly from the NYSED Office of College and University Evaluation website.
Standards
Some disciplines, particularly in the professions, require that syllabi
identify program standards that are addressed in a course. The
standards are typically matched with course assignments and
objectives.
Course Schedule and Policies
Calendar
University Policies
Course Policies
Provide students with dates of course topics; required readings,
assignments, and activities.
Academic Integrity; accommodations for students with disabilities;
campus emergencies
Provide students with your policies regarding participation
(attendance), use of Blackboard, forms in which assignments are to
be submitted, lateness, late submissions, civility, attire, use of digital
devices, cell phones, eating and drinking in class, etc.