Syllabus Guiding Questions and Tips
Guiding Questions
- What do the students need to know about the course?
- What do you want the students to know about the course?
- In what way will the syllabus be useful to the students? (Cullen & Harris, 2009)
- What information and tools can you provide for your students to promote learning and intellectual development? (Grunert, 2008)
Tips for Writing Syllabus
- Use 鈥渟tyles鈥� function for titles, headings, and normal text to promote accessibility
- Proofread: a syllabus with typos, misinformation, and poor formatting creates a negative tone
- Avoid using ALL CAPS
- Put essential facts at the top of the syllabus
- Make sure the information is up to date and correct
- Be explicit and transparent about expectations (this may help avoid drama)
- Include images of course content to peak student interest (use brief captions under each image)
- Hide an 鈥渆aster egg鈥� in the syllabus, e.g., somewhere within the syllabus ask the students to send you a picture of a specific cartoon character or offer to buy lunch to the student(s) who email you after they read the statement (email must be sent within first two weeks of the course)