The course rationale is a brief statement that explains the purpose of the course and how its place in either the University’s or your department’s curriculum.
Course requirements are the evaluations that students complete for grades. They can include:
Course requirements are NOT your class policies such as “one person talks at a time,” or “attack the argument and not the person.”
Clearly stating course policies and requirements in your syllabus avoids confusion, false starts, and complaints. Consider including the following material:
Develop Your Syllabus
You are ready to draft a syllabus once you have:
At the most basic level, drafting a syllabus requires that you check the academic calendar to determine when your class will meet, and the most logical way to divide the material. At a more sophisticated level, this requires that you establish a plan for developing your students’ thinking skills systematically while introducing new course material, so that ultimately the students will have achieved the course objectives.
Your first draft can be as formal or informal as you like, but your first draft of a syllabus should:
Consider:
What is the best way to use a natural break? Should it serve as a review session for an exam, or as a transition between one topic and the next?
Consider:
Are the objectives measurable and aligned with your evaluations?
Consider:
Are there multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate success in meeting these objectives?
Are assignments, homework or tests planned to coincide with recently acquired skills or skills that build upon previous knowledge? (A lecture on political theory may be followed by a short paper assignment drawing on relevance to current politics). Will the students receive prompt, targeted feedback and have a timely opportunity (or opportunities) for more practice?
Textbooks and other course readings can be ordered through The University Store. Because students' budgets are limited, please keep the following questions in mind as you select them:
In terms of your own budget, note that publishing companies often make instructor copies of books available to teachers free of charge. Ask your department about ordering instructor copies directly from the publisher.
The course schedule offers a calendar of events, which may include:
Typically it provides a road map for students around which they may plan their work.
Be aware, that adjusting a syllabus after the start of the semester can create confusion. Therefore, do so only if it is absolutely necessary. Give your students plenty of advance notice (preferably in-class and via Courseweb/e-mail), and clearly explain any changes.