1. Welcome! New Faculty Orientation
Getting Ready for your first day!
Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
Faculty Colleagues
Lynn Tashiro, Physics, Center for Teaching and Learning
EunMi Cho, Education
Paula Austin, History
Josh Wiscons, Mathematics
De-Laine Cyrenne, Psychology

2. Agenda for your time with CTL
Getting Ready for the First Day…
Thursday August 6 (2:00-4:00 pm) – Your classroom
2: Introductions – meet CTL and your colleagues
2: Part 1: First day impressions: The Syllabus
3: Part 2: Participant Idea Exchange (PIE): Resources
3: Wrap up and checking in for next week
Tuesday August 21 (2:30-4:30 pm) - Technology
2: Introductions – meet your technology team
2: Part 1 “MySacState” – navigating Sac State’s technology
3: Part 2 “Canvas” – quick start guide to the Learning
Management System
4: Wrap up and sign up for priority consideration for FLCs

3. Community Agreement Active listening
Respond to and challenge ideas, not people
Step up, step back, and be aware of space
Brave Space

4. The Syllabus: Initial Thoughts
What is the purpose of the syllabus?
“The syllabus is a contract between the faculty and the students. It needs to be clear and spell everything out in detail, so there are no misunderstandings about policies, grading, and expectations.”
“My syllabus lays out the big questions we will address in an attempt to excite them about the course and inspire them to work hard.”
“I use the syllabus to give the students an idea about the type and quantity of work we will engage in throughout the course as well as an overview of the various resources they have to be successful.”
Directions. Think. Pair. Share.

5. The Syllabus: Contrasting Approaches
Gold Syllabus
Blue Syllabus C D
Directions.
Skim both (aim for 2 min.)
Choose an area to focus on, e.g. overview, policies, assessment, schedule, etc.
Compare and contrast this area in the two syllabi. (See questions below; take notes.)
Discuss in your group.
Some questions to consider.
Which contains the “required” contractual information?
Which conveys a more inclusive learning community for this class?
Do you see ways that both could be improved? If so, how?
Which is most like yours?

6. The Syllabus: Form & Function
With others at your table, see if you can find consensus on the following question, selecting from the available choices, and articulating a rationale for your choice.
“What is the most important function of the syllabus?”
To inform about outcomes, policies, assignments, and assessment.
To introduce questions that inspire learning.
To convey the essence of the readings and assignments so the students know what they’re getting into.
To welcome your students and provide the necessary course and resource information for them to feel comfortable and able to succeed. C D A B

8. THE SYLLABUS: A Checklist
What elements does your syllabus include?
What might you want to add to you syllabus?
What might you want to learn more about?
Questions?