MAJOR CONTENT AREAS OF A SYLLABUS
Course Description and Objectives
The description typically comes from the course catalog—a general description of the course and where it fits into the curriculum. The objectives are the instructor's specific approach to the course.
Contact Information and Policies
Provide your name, office number, office phone number, e-mail address, and office hours. Some instructors also include some guidelines for how soon they can expect replies to email, including during the evening and on weekends; many students expect near 24/7 coverage unless you indicate otherwise.
Required and Recommended Texts and Supplies
Be clear about book editions, particularly if there has been a recent revision, since some bookstores may still be selling used copies of previous editions. Clarify, too, if students should be buying bundled content—one section may be using just the textbook, while another might also be using software or a workbook bundled with the text. Used textbooks are often not bundled with these extras. It's worth a trip to the bookstores to find out if any of these issues exist.
Grading System
Provide an overview of how their grade is broken down (e.g. tests = 60%, term paper = 20%, etc.), along with the information they need to calculate their grades (A = 95%+, A- = 92%+, etc.). If you use grading rubrics or other guidelines for grading individual assignments, consider putting them online and pointing to them from this section of the syllabus. Include any additional policies that impact grading, like extra credit, late work, etc.
Attendance Policy / Lateness / Late Work
Include specific rules governing attendance in your class, including the consequences of missing classes.
Student Learning Outcome
(download a handout about SLOs and how to write them. Further questions should be addressed to the Associate Chair.)
Course Requirements
What students will have to do in the course: assignments, exams, projects, performances, attendance, participation, etc. Provide due dates for assignments and dates for exams. For paper/research assignments describe their nature, format and the expected length.
Course Schedule
A day-to-day breakdown of topics and assignments (readings, homework, project due-dates). Readings should be identified by more than the book title. Include chapter or page numbers as relevant.
Student Conduct Code
The University of Hawai‘i Student Conduct Code shall apply to actions that occur at the ART building. Engaging in, or attempting to engage in, prohibited behaviors subjects a user to sanctions. The Chair and Associate Chair of department shall have the authority to terminate usage of the ART building if a user is found to be in violation. Students are also responsible for the actions of their guests.
Other Useful References:
1- from Carnegie Mellon
2- from IDEA (a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to improve learning in higher education)