CEE - The Syllabus --STEP 1

First, you need a syllabus...

The syllabus is an essential tool in the educational process, serving as a contract, a guide, and a plan for both instructors and students. Its importance cannot be overstated, as it lays the foundation for the learning journey in any course. At Tarleton State University, the development and use of a syllabus are guided by specific resources and templates designed to ensure that all courses meet high standards of clarity, comprehensiveness, and accessibility. This ensures that every syllabus at Tarleton includes essential elements crucial for students' academic success and aligns with the university's commitment to excellence in education.

Importance of a Syllabus

Contract: The syllabus acts as a contract between the instructor and the students, outlining what is expected from students and what they can expect from the instructor. This includes grading policies, assignment descriptions, deadlines, and classroom etiquette. By setting clear expectations, the syllabus helps to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, ensuring a smooth and productive learning environment.
Guide: It serves as a guide for the course, providing students with a roadmap of what will be covered, including topics, readings, assignments, and exams. This helps students to prepare in advance, manage their time effectively, and engage more deeply with the material.
Plan: The syllabus is a plan that details the instructor's teaching strategy and goals for the course. It includes learning outcomes, teaching methods, and assessment strategies, which guide the learning process and help to ensure that the course objectives are met.

Resources for Syllabus Development at Tarleton State University

Master Syllabus Location: Tarleton provides a master syllabus for reference, accessible at https://catalog.tarleton.edu/syllabus/. This serves as a template or benchmark for developing course-specific syllabi, ensuring consistency and alignment with university standards.
Syllabus Templates: The university offers accessible syllabus templates, which can be found by downloading the Tarleton State University Syllabus Template. These templates include minimum required elements and are designed to meet electronic accessibility standards. They provide a structured framework for faculty to develop their course syllabi, ensuring all essential information is included and presented clearly.

Components of a Syllabus

The syllabus template provided by Tarleton includes several critical sections:

Course Information: Details about the course, including number, title, semester, meeting times, location, credit hours, and instructor details.
University and College Policies: Statements on academic integrity, ADA accommodations, and other relevant university and college policies.
Course Description and Requirements: An overview of the course content, learning outcomes, textbooks, prerequisites, grading policy, and schedule.

This structured approach to syllabus development ensures that all courses at Tarleton State University provide students with clear expectations, necessary course information, and a framework for academic success. By adhering to these guidelines and utilizing the resources provided, faculty can create syllabi that meet university standards and support effective teaching and learning.

Now , Create Your Syllabus.

Now that you understand the purpose of a syllabus, you can create one for one of your classes using theTarleton State University syllabus template. This is STEP 1, but it is the most crucial step in preparing to teach. If you need help crafting a syllabus, ask your department head or a faculty member who has led the class in the past for assistance. Also, an instructional consultant will be happy to help you as well.
Now, GO TO Step 2... You need to communicate your learning expectations.
Dive Deeper
- - For more resources concerning the syllabus, please check our Syllabus Resources.