Creating a University Level Syllabus Dr. Gayle A. Kearns

Why An Effective Syllabus? After today’s session, you will be able to: Identify the elements that can strengthen a class session; and Identify the elements that can strengthen a class session; and Describe the 15 points for an effective syllabus. Describe the 15 points for an effective syllabus.

Why Do Students Attend College? Get a Better Job81% Get a Better Job81% Learn about things that Learn about things that interest me75% interest me75% Make more money68% Make more money68% Gain a general education58% Gain a general education58% Prepare for graduate work48% Prepare for graduate work48%

Why!! con’t.... Meet new people47% Meet new people47% Learn study skills33% Learn study skills33% Get away from home10% Get away from home10% Could not get a job 8% Could not get a job 8% Nothing better to do 2% Nothing better to do 2%

Characteristics of A Good Instructor... The ability to be fair and consistent to students The ability to be fair and consistent to students Knowledge of the subject matter (SME) Knowledge of the subject matter (SME) Ability to personalize the instruction Ability to personalize the instruction The willingness to be flexible The willingness to be flexible

Characteristics... The ability to reflect a positive attitude-- nods, smiles, humor The ability to reflect a positive attitude-- nods, smiles, humor Skill in establishing definite examination procedures--objective based, instructional sequence Skill in establishing definite examination procedures--objective based, instructional sequence Willingness to provide study aids Willingness to provide study aids

A Good Instructor... The ability to perceive the material or task from the students’ point of view The ability to perceive the material or task from the students’ point of view Skilled in asking questions that make students think without being threatened Skilled in asking questions that make students think without being threatened A clear and concise SYLLABUS!!! A clear and concise SYLLABUS!!!

What About That First Day of Class?? Be specific Be specific State the name of the course State the name of the course Identify yourself and some credentials Identify yourself and some credentials Let the students introduce themselves Let the students introduce themselves (optional and if possible due to size)

That Infamous First Day! Review the syllabus thoroughly (sign) Review the syllabus thoroughly (sign) Ask for student questions and/or feedback Ask for student questions and/or feedback Review the course outline Review the course outline

15 Points for An Effective Syllabus First, just what is a syllabus? A syllabus is the official document of the course. A syllabus is the official document of the course. Next, what does it show? It shows what will be required and expected throughout the semester in terms of course work. It shows what will be required and expected throughout the semester in terms of course work.

An Effective Syllabus.. Thirdly, how does it aide the student? Thirdly, how does it aide the student? It helps to establish boundaries of what students can expect from their professor/instructor in terms of instructional pace, grading and personal interactions. It helps to establish boundaries of what students can expect from their professor/instructor in terms of instructional pace, grading and personal interactions.

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

#1 - Name of the Course Identify the name, number, section and meeting times and place Identify the name, number, section and meeting times and place An addendum may be the prerequisites required to insure that the student is in the correct sequence of course work An addendum may be the prerequisites required to insure that the student is in the correct sequence of course work

#2 - Professor’s Name State your name on the syllabus (in addition to your oral introduction) State your name on the syllabus (in addition to your oral introduction) Professional/educational background Professional/educational background Credentials to teach the course Credentials to teach the course Special interest in the course subject (SME) Special interest in the course subject (SME)

#3 - Office Hours and Phone/E- Mail/Fax Numbers List office hours and office location (give location markers) List office hours and office location (give location markers) List office phone and fax numbers, as well as address (home numbers are optional) List office phone and fax numbers, as well as address (home numbers are optional) Encourage students to use office hours (or make appts) Encourage students to use office hours (or make appts)

#4 - Textbook Information and other Resources Discuss the benefits of the textbook Discuss the benefits of the textbook Discuss the strengths of any enhancement resources (self-made packets, manuals, etc.) Discuss the strengths of any enhancement resources (self-made packets, manuals, etc.) Give a brief bio of the author (optional) Give a brief bio of the author (optional)

#5 - Course Objectives List all course objectives (complete course) List all course objectives (complete course) Describe what will be learned Describe what will be learned Discuss the importance of learning this information and/or this skill Discuss the importance of learning this information and/or this skill Relate the importance of this information to the students’ educational objectives Relate the importance of this information to the students’ educational objectives

#6 - Nature of the Course Discuss the methodologies to be used throughout the course, such as lecture, discussion Discuss the methodologies to be used throughout the course, such as lecture, discussion Describe the importance of student participation concerning classroom interaction, independent study, lab sessions, service-learning etc. Describe the importance of student participation concerning classroom interaction, independent study, lab sessions, service-learning etc.

#7 - Course Requirements Keep in mind, if it is not stated specifically and accurately in the syllabus, anyone who questions (or files a grievance) will have a much better chance in their defense Keep in mind, if it is not stated specifically and accurately in the syllabus, anyone who questions (or files a grievance) will have a much better chance in their defense Also, watch undue hardships on students with disabilities--ADA does state that certain concessions must be made--Be Alert and Accommodate!!! Also, watch undue hardships on students with disabilities--ADA does state that certain concessions must be made--Be Alert and Accommodate!!!

Course Requirements, Point #7 Written assignments: State specifically if the written assignments are required, suggested, extra credit State specifically if the written assignments are required, suggested, extra credit State the length expected State the length expected Identify the acceptable format-- computer-generated, hand-written, MLA, APA Identify the acceptable format-- computer-generated, hand-written, MLA, APA

More Course Requirements for #7 Tests, quizzes and exams: Be specific on the types--scantron, essay, etc Be specific on the types--scantron, essay, etc Material to be covered and sources-- study packets, readings Material to be covered and sources-- study packets, readings Cumulative or not Cumulative or not No surprises—test only on identified, measurable information No surprises—test only on identified, measurable information

Course Requirements.. Special projects, such as independent/group studies, term papers, oral presentations, book reports, etc Specify length (what counts); Specify length (what counts); Acceptable format--computer generated, handwritten, APA Acceptable format--computer generated, handwritten, APA Topical areas to be considered Topical areas to be considered

Course Requirements.. Labs: Type of lab--meeting times and locations; Type of lab--meeting times and locations; Lab requirements, present with syllabus or at first lab session Lab requirements, present with syllabus or at first lab session Location(s) of lab(s) Location(s) of lab(s) Support system within lab(s) Support system within lab(s)

#8 - Resources, References and Supplies Be specific on the listing of resources, outside readings, bibliographies, visitations, etc Be specific on the listing of resources, outside readings, bibliographies, visitations, etc Identify supplies required Identify supplies required Give specific details on operation of special equipment Give specific details on operation of special equipment

Point #9 - Grading and Evaluation DO NOT CHANGE THIS DURING THE SEMESTER!! DO NOT CHANGE THIS DURING THE SEMESTER!! Identify what work will be graded Identify what work will be graded Explain evaluation of assignments--in addition to correct answers, tell if you are grading punctuation, spelling, grammar Explain evaluation of assignments--in addition to correct answers, tell if you are grading punctuation, spelling, grammar

Point #9 Explain level of comprehension (give scale for grades) of tests, special projects, assignments Explain level of comprehension (give scale for grades) of tests, special projects, assignments Identify what percentage each component contributes to the final grade--tests, quizzes, exams, special projects, labs, attendance, class participation Identify what percentage each component contributes to the final grade--tests, quizzes, exams, special projects, labs, attendance, class participation

Point #10 - Attendance This is a very big issue/trouble spot on all higher ed campuses This is a very big issue/trouble spot on all higher ed campuses There is no formal university policy-- professors set their own There is no formal university policy-- professors set their own Take attendance each class Take attendance each class Specifically state what your policy is in regard to absences--what is excused vs. unexcused Specifically state what your policy is in regard to absences--what is excused vs. unexcused

Point #10, con’t. Be specific on how work may be made up with an excused absence--give an exact time line Be specific on how work may be made up with an excused absence--give an exact time line State what is expected of students who miss class due to extracurricular activities, illness, etc. State what is expected of students who miss class due to extracurricular activities, illness, etc.

Point #11 - Special Accommodations According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of each student to notify the University of his/her disability According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of each student to notify the University of his/her disability UCO policy states that the following statement should be included in your syllabus: UCO policy states that the following statement should be included in your syllabus:

Disability 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

Point #12 - Fees (optional) Specify the amount of any additional fees needed to participate in this course Specify the amount of any additional fees needed to participate in this course Ex: A fashion trip to NYC, purchase of a laptop computer, articulation with a professional association which requires a membership Ex: A fashion trip to NYC, purchase of a laptop computer, articulation with a professional association which requires a membership

Point #13 - Drop/Add Policy (Optional) State the university policy on dates to be followed State the university policy on dates to be followed List the last day to withdraw from a class List the last day to withdraw from a class Any change of dates from the university should be communicated to the students in writing Any change of dates from the university should be communicated to the students in writing

Point #14 - Additional Information Other important information students need to know, such as, other duties you perform (Residency Teacher/Student Teacher supervision, Faculty Senate responsibilities, etc. Other important information students need to know, such as, other duties you perform (Residency Teacher/Student Teacher supervision, Faculty Senate responsibilities, etc. Use of cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices during class Use of cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices during class

Point #14 - continued Other expectations or guidelines for student conduct beyond attendance, ie, habitual tardiness Other expectations or guidelines for student conduct beyond attendance, ie, habitual tardiness Be very specific about: plagiarism, cheating, and academic honesty for your class as well as the entire campus Be very specific about: plagiarism, cheating, and academic honesty for your class as well as the entire campus

Point #15 - Course Outline/Calendar Address all major content areas, objectives for course Address all major content areas, objectives for course Class meetings by date, topics/chapters to be discussed Class meetings by date, topics/chapters to be discussed Dates for quizzes, exams, mid-term and final Dates for quizzes, exams, mid-term and final Due dates for homework assignments, special projects, term papers, etc. (be specific) Due dates for homework assignments, special projects, term papers, etc. (be specific)

In Summary An effective syllabus will establish boundaries for student expectation!! An effective syllabus will establish boundaries for student expectation!! An effective syllabus will protect you, the professor, by validating what is expected throughout the semester in terms of course requirements!! An effective syllabus will protect you, the professor, by validating what is expected throughout the semester in terms of course requirements!!