THE SYLLABUS

Images in the banners on this site are from the wonderful Lynda Barry and her book, Syllabus.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Sarita Shukla

The Liquid Syllabus

Nora Kenworthy

The Graphic Syllabus

Ching-In Chen

The Annotated Syllabus

Ana Thompson

The Accessible Syllabus

Todd Conaway

The Newsletter Syllabus

Todd Conaway

The Canvas Syllabus

How Does a Syllabus Evolve?

Is "Syllabus Bloat" is a real thing? Should it be a Word document or a .pdf? Is the course calendar part of the syllabus? Do institutional policies that cover all courses at a university need to be repeated in all course syllabi? Do you need footers? School logos?

These are interesting questions for faculty to ponder and surly we have had many conversations around what a syllabus is and how it should look. This site exists to show you some options. Not answers, just possibilities.

A syllabus page for a class titled, PHIL 103 Special Topics in Ethics and Values Genetic Engineering & Future Society. A Scientifically informed philosophical inquiry into the advancements and applications of contemporary genetic engineering Course Objectives Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of values and ethics for the self and society (in a group work on an application of synthetic biology). Reflect on how values shape personal and community ethics and decision making (e.g. how different kinds of values shape the way personal data is stored in bio banks). Identify the source and function of values (related to, for instance, genetic human enhancement, or creating new life forms) COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING BASIS 20 percent Attendance 30 percent Writing 20 percent Assignments 30 percent Reading About the course 2017 Spring Instructor Office hour Chia-Hua Lin lin38@email.sc.edu TBA @Byrnes 429

"In my syllabus redesign, I integrated images of my students at art galleries and museums -- standing in front of art works of all shapes and sizes -- in an effort to make their entrance into the class more relevant."

Michelle Pacansky-Brock

"Why? To intentionally create inclusive welcome in your course, especially for those students who have been shown to experience belongingness uncertainty.

To create a site that welcomes students that can be easily accessed with cell phones and to create a welcome that doesn't require the burden of logging into an official university Learning Management System, and that presents instructors in a more causal framework and offers a transparent, intentional welcome to engage, welcome and calm anxious students."

Manda Williamson

There is actually lots of writing about creating a good syllabus...

Some of it we may not want to hear. Articles titled, "10 Reasons Your Syllabus Might Suck" may not sound that exciting, but there are some pretty sound points made. At least, some that might help us answer the age old question about how students never read the syllabus. I mean, you can even buy shirts about that topic...

And there are plenty of examples to help us find our best self in our syllabus creation. Every university has something to say about the topic and, for better or worse, there is a template these days for most everything.

There are even whole websites devoted to helping us create accessible syllabi!

All of these resources and our conversations with colleagues can help us build a better experience for students! Take what you find useful. Reach out for help if needed.

THE SYLLABUS

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

Sarita Shukla

Nora Kenworthy

Ching-In Chen

Ana Thompson

Todd Conaway

Todd Conaway

How Does a Syllabus Evolve?

There is actually lots of writing about creating a good syllabus...

FURTHER READING