Developing A Course Syllabus

Source: Honolulu Community College, www.honolulu.hawaii.edu

There are three strong beliefs associated with a course syllabus:

1. The syllabus is the key tangible evidence of planning from instructor to the world.
2. The planning manifested through the syllabus can reduce, before a class even meets, about half the work for teaching a course.
3. The syllabus serves as a communication device and contract to shift the responsibility for learning to the student.

A course syllabus can be justified from an administrative, accreditation, instructor, or student perspective. These are the main groups that can benefit from a complete, detailed, and precise organization of a course. These varied groups can all be satisfied with the same document, a course syllabus. Below are 17 possible functions of a syllabus:

1. Describing course content scope
2. Communicating course focus
3. Suggesting prerequisites
4. Detailing logistics
5. Identifying course goals
6. Sequencing/scheduling instruction
7. Identifying performance objectives
8. Constituting a contract
9. Identifying reference material
10. Providing modifications base
11. Motivating students
12. Permitting self monitoring
13. Facilitating optional learning activities
14. Establishing evaluation system
15. Advertising/promoting/recruiting clientele
16. Serving as an articulation tool
17. Meeting accreditation requirements