Components of a Course Syllabus
Basic Information

Course Description

Materials• name of university, semester, year

• prerequisites• primary books/readings for the course• course title, number, unit value– prior courses– author, title, edition• course meeting times and location– knowledge/skills (needed to succeedin this course)– costs, where available• instructor, GSI names– permission of instructor needed?

• how to contact instructor/GSIs:• overview of course– availability of electronic formats, forstudents with disabilities• supplemental books/readings– in-person ofﬁce hours, times andlocation (with map if needed)– what is the course about: its purpose,rationale?

• websites and links– online ofﬁce hours, times and how toaccess (URL)– what are the general topics or focus?

• other materials– email addresses– phone numbers (private anddepartment lines)– fax number– optional: times other than ofﬁce hours
when instructor can be reached– optional: home or cell phone numberand limits on its use• instructor web page URL• course web page URL– how does it ﬁt with other courses inthe department or on campus?

– lab equipment– who is the course aimed at?

– software– why would students want to take thiscourse and learn this material?

– etc.

– art supplies• student learning objectives– what will students be expected toknow or do after this course?
– what competencies/skills/knowledge
will students be expected todemonstrate at the end of the course?
• methods of instruction– lectures– discussion– group work– etc.

June 2004
Barbara Gross Davis
University of California, Berkeley1

Requirements

Policies

Schedule• exams and quizzes• grading procedures• tentative calendar of topics and readings– by week rather than by session– how many
– what kind (e.g., open/closed book; essay/
multiple choice)– type of knowledge and abilities tested– place, date and time of ﬁnal exam
• assignments/problem sets/projects/reports/
research papers– provide general information on type andwhen due (detailed information can be
distributed during the term)– describe how students will be
graded: on a curve or absolute scale?
– clarify weighting of course
components– explain policies regarding
incompletes, pass/not pass
– describe grade appeals– give the date of the last day towithdraw from the course• attendance and tardiness– clarify the relationship between thelearning objectives and assignments• class participation– identify criteria for assessing student work

• classroom decorum– for research papers and projects:– no reading newspapers• create shorter assignments that build
to the research paper (e.g. annotatedbibliography of primary sources, thesis
statement, fact sheet, etc.)– etc.

• connect research assignments to course
goals and student learning objectives• ﬁrm dates for exams and written
assignments• dates of special events– ﬁeld trips– performances– etc.

– no eating• introduce students to the steps in
conducting research• specify the skills and knowledge
students need to complete the research
assignments– or leave some sessions empty for
ﬂexibility– turn off cell phones• interrupted exams (e.g., ﬁre alarms)• missed exams/make up exams• missed assignments• late assignments/extensions• reporting illness and family
emergencies• extra credit opportunities• permissible and impermissible
collaboration• standards for academic honesty andpenalties for infractions

Components of a Course Syllabus

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ResourcesStatement on Accommodation

Rights• tips for success• a request that students see the instructor to
discuss accommodations for:• statement of students’ and instructor’srights to academic freedom (e.g., respect therights of others to express their points ofview)– how students might approach thematerial– physical disabilities– how students can manage their time

– medical disabilities– tips for studying, taking notes,
preparing for exams– learning disabilities– common student mistakes ormisconceptions• statement on copyright protection for thecontents of the course, as appropriate• a statement on reasonable accommodation
for students’ religious observations andpractices• copies of past exams or model student
papers• glossaries of technical terms• links to appropriate support materialon the web (e.g., style manuals, past
student projects, web based resources,etc.)• support services on campus(e.g., Student Learning Center)• information on the availability ofvideotapes or webcasts of lectures• request that students identify two or
three classmates’ names and theircontact information– in case they miss class– in case they want to form a study
group

Components of a Course Syllabus

3Evaluation of the Course

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Disclaimer• student feedback strategies during
the semester• what to do in case of an earthquake• syllabus/schedule subject to change• end-of-course evaluation
procedures• what to do in an emergency• evacuation procedures• lab safety precautions

Components of a Course Syllabus

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