by Ann Brucklacher

Remember all that training you had on writing a syllabus? No? If you're like most instructors, you probably never had any. But does that matter, you may ask. It's just a syllabus, a glorified course calendar. You learned what to do by, perhaps, swapping syllabi with colleagues or looking through sample syllabi provided by your department. To be frank, in between last-minute class assignments and heavy teaching loads, who has time to ponder a syllabus? However, before you dismiss the syllabus as first-day filler or as an utilitarian schedule, consider this document's potential impacts. A vague or poorly organized syllabus can lead to student misunderstandings and instructor regrets. A well-constructed syllabus, on the other hand, can serve as an effective teaching tool, and help both you and your students understand and manage a course. A top-notch syllabus can even land you a better teaching job. While there is no such thing as a perfect syllabus, here are some key elements to remember.

Syllabus 101

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