Revamping our
syllabus
Pedagogy 101
May 2015
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
What is your intent with the
syllabus?
 Contract
with students
 Description and expectation of course
 Introduction of your teaching style and
philosophy
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Agenda

Toni Anderson, Faculty Development
Coordinator



Intent of syllabus
Syllabus checklist
Kathleen Chambers, Instructional Design



Using Canvas for syllabus option when teaching
face to face
Maintaining a “living” syllabus
Format and layout of syllabus

Accessibility checker
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Course particulars:
 Include
course title
 Meeting time and days
 Location
 Number of credits
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Course Information
 Description:


Organizational flow
Major topics
 Student
learning outcomes
 Campus educational learning outcomes
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Course Information
 Weekly
schedule (subject to change)
 Materials




Required and supplementary reading
materials
Web materials with full citations
Items for lab/projects
Calculators, etc. chedule
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Graded course requirements




Grading scale
Rubric
Point values of ALL graded work
Anticipated number of each type of work



Quizzes, homework, projects, etc.
Can lowest scores be thrown out?
What are additional requirements besides the
computed grade?


Participation
Pop quizzes
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Curricular requirements
satisfied by the course
 General

education
Speaking, writing, ethics, etc.
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Policies
 Attendance
 Tardiness
 Missed
exams
 Late assignments
 Safety in labs
 Conduct

Define appropriate and expected behavior
in the classroom
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Resources and policies of
North
 Academic
dishonesty
 ADA
 Student
conduct
 Diversity statement
 Campus support information


Student services
Accommodations
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Information about yourself
 Full
name
 Office location and hours
 Phone number
 Email address
 Preferred method of contact
 Degrees, universities attended
 Places you’ve taught
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Philosophy and teaching style
 Share
your commitment to education
 Hopes and objectives for students
 Understanding of how people learn
 Type of rapport you aim to develop with
students
Source: Nilson, Linda B (2000), Teaching at
Its Best. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass