Teaching Workshop: Syllabus Preparation

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Teaching WorkshopSyllabus Preparation
Norine L. Jalbert Western Conn. State University

• Assn. for Psychological ScienceMay 27, 2006New
  York City

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Syllabus Preparation the 5 Ws

• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why

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WHO is your audience?

• Your students
• Use clear, unambiguous language
• Regular interactions help resolve ambiguities

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WHO is your audience?

• Your students
• Your departmentesp. your dept. chair
• Syllabus has to be clear enough for the chair to
  resolve student disputes.

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WHO is your audience?

• Your students
• Your department esp. dept. chair
• Administrative officials at your institution
• Syllabus must now be clearenough for the
  educated non-psychologist to understand.

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WHY put in the effort?

• Your institution requires it
• It prevents student-instructor confusion
  conflict

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WHEN to distribute a syllabus.

• The first day of class
• Spend time going over it with the students
• As soon as new students add the class.
• Reference it regularly throughout the term.

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WHERE to post a syllabus.

• On your course web page
• On your office door
• On reserve in the campus library

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WHAT is a syllabus?

• A contract between the instructor and student.
• An overview of the course.
• A statement of the instructors course policies.
• An explanation of grading criteria assignments.

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WHAT should be in a syllabus?

• The bare necessities
• Lifes little extras
• Luxuries we cant live without

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The Bare Necessities

• Instructor information
• Course specifics
• Course format
• Course requirements grading
• Institutional Instructor policies

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Lifes little extras

• (Tentative) Course calendar
• Classroom rules of conduct
• Support services information
• Extra credit opportunities, if any
• Relation of course to general education and/or
  major requirements

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Luxuries we cant live without

• Bibliography of suggested readings
• Detailed guidelines for course assignments
• Samples of course assignments
• Study or note-taking tips
• Online resources list

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The End.Thank You.