How to Read a
…an outline or
summary of topics to be
covered in a course.
Inspired by Maria Vita Calkins (2007) and Tara L. Davis
Adapted by Jorge Aguilar (2012)
For use with How to Read a Syllabus Lesson
Images used for educational purposes only.
What is a Syllabus?
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
It is a…
…document providing
information you need
about the course.
…contract between the
student and the
instructor.

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
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It should…
includes…
a course
give
details
description
as to what
is
expected
of you.
course
goals/objectives
explains
what it will
requirements
take
to or
beschedule
successful.
outline
outlines
instructorinstructor
policies and
student responsibilities.
What is a Syllabus?
A syllabus is designed
to answer the most
frequently asked
questions among
students such as:




Before you ask your
instructor, first consult
your syllabus!

What topic will we
discuss today?
When is this
assignment due?
What must I do for this
assignment?
When is the test/quiz?
I was absent, what did I
miss?
Parts of a Syllabus
There are as many styles
of syllabi as there are
instructors, but all cover
five main areas.

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General Course Information
Course Description/Objectives
Books and Materials
Course Policies
Course Calendar/Schedule
Parts of a Syllabus
General Course Information
On the top of the first page of
every syllabus you will find:

Course title and number
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Location and meeting times
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Instructor Contact Information
–
–
–
–
–
Instructor Name
Campus Mailbox #
Email Address
Office Room #
Phone number:
An instructor may also
include office hours.
Parts of a Syllabus
Course Description and Objectives
Also included on the first page:

What to expect from the course.

What you should be able to do by
the end of the course.

What types of teaching methods
will be used such as:
–
–
–
–
Mostly Lecture?
Discussions?
Projects or Groupwork?
Videos or Fieldtrips?
This info may also be
found on other pages.
Parts of a Syllabus
Books and Materials
Found on the 1st or 2nd page:
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Required Materials
Required Books
Recommended or suggested
books and additional materials
Other/Course Reserves
–
Reserves are items set aside at
the library for class use.
The type of info varies
greatly from instructor
to instructor
Parts of a Syllabus
Course Policies
Policies include expectations
and consequences.

Grading / Attendance Policy
–

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Late Assignments
Make-ups or Extra Credit
Electronic Device Use
–

Tardiness/Absences
Cell phones, ipods, etc…
Cheating and Plagiarism
Each instructor has
their own rules!
Instructors typically have a brief review
of plagiarism and cheating somewhere
in the syllabus.
Students are also instructed to refer to
their student handbook’s official section
on plagiarism.
Parts of a Syllabus
Course Calendar and Schedule
The course outline is the most
important part of the syllabus:

It is an overview of the course that
includes assignment details:
–
–
–
–
–

Due Dates
Daily/Weekly Topics and Readings
Homework Assignments
Essays and Papers
Tests and Exams
Some outlines are simple and
others very detailed.
Schedules change. Listen
and make adjustments.
Related Lessons
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Lesson: How to Read a Syllabus
Lesson: Calculating Your Grade in ORT
Sources
For 2008 Update by Tara L. Davis
Sanders, Scott. What is a Syllabus. (2007) Retrieved from: http://www.cornerstone.edu/news?news_ID=3138
Syllabus Images Slide 1 and 4: Retrieved from:
http://chandra.as.utexas.edu/~kormendy/syllabus/2003-Syllabus.jpg
http://www.nmc.edu/~jteichman/mth08.gif
http://www.cmseducation.org/about/images/syllabus.gif
http://jeremy.zawodny.com/i/question_mark.jpg
From Original Power Point “Understanding a Course Syllabus” by Maria Vita Calkins
Altman, Howard B. Writing a Syllabus. Retrieved from:
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachingtip/writesyl.htm
American Heritage Dictionary online. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com
Davis, Barbara G. (1993). Tools for Teaching. Jossey-Bass Publishers. Chapter 2: The Course Syllabus
UCSC Teaching Toolbox. Retrieved from: http://teaching.ucsc.edu/tips.html