Understanding the Understanding the Academic Structure Academic Structure of the US Classroom:of the US Classroom:

SyllabusSyllabus

Functions of the SyllabusFunctions of the Syllabus It explains the standards by which It explains the standards by which

students’ performances will be evaluated;students’ performances will be evaluated; It lists the readings students are expected It lists the readings students are expected

to complete;to complete; It fixes the dates for a task completion;It fixes the dates for a task completion; It states the rules (absence, cheating, It states the rules (absence, cheating,

behavior, etc.);behavior, etc.); It addresses the emphasis given to any It addresses the emphasis given to any

particular assignment as a proportion of particular assignment as a proportion of the final grade;the final grade;

It helps students to plan their semester It helps students to plan their semester and organize their studying in the most and organize their studying in the most effective way.effective way.

Structure of the SyllabusStructure of the Syllabus1. Course title, University, Semester, and Year1. Course title, University, Semester, and Year2. Vital information about the course:2. Vital information about the course: Name of the professor, Office number and Office hours, at least one way to Name of the professor, Office number and Office hours, at least one way to

contact professor (telephone # or email), class days and times, class roomcontact professor (telephone # or email), class days and times, class room3. Course Description3. Course Description (a paragraph describing what a course will cover, what (a paragraph describing what a course will cover, what

language skills will be covered, what students will learn, and how they will language skills will be covered, what students will learn, and how they will participate)participate)

4. Course Objectives (what students will have learned and what they will be 4. Course Objectives (what students will have learned and what they will be able to do by the end of the course. Objective statements usually begin, able to do by the end of the course. Objective statements usually begin, “Students will be able to… ”)“Students will be able to… ”)

5. Grading Criteria5. Grading Criteria6. Attendance Policy6. Attendance Policy 7. Required Texts and Materials7. Required Texts and Materials8. A Weekly Schedule. This is a calendar of class topics, including the following8. A Weekly Schedule. This is a calendar of class topics, including the following · reading assignments· reading assignments · due dates for written assignments· due dates for written assignments · dates for quizzes or mid-term exam· dates for quizzes or mid-term exam · date and time of the final exam· date and time of the final exam

Grading CriteriaGrading Criteria Attendance on lectures (conveys critical Attendance on lectures (conveys critical

information, history, background, theories, information, history, background, theories, and equations)and equations)

Participation in discussions (helps to clarify Participation in discussions (helps to clarify what students learn, and adds to their own what students learn, and adds to their own perspectives and experiences)perspectives and experiences)

Observations (leaning from example by Observations (leaning from example by observing instructors who demonstrate observing instructors who demonstrate models and skills)models and skills)

Practical application (helps students learn, Practical application (helps students learn, understand, and apply new information understand, and apply new information and theories)and theories)

Grading Criteria, cont.Grading Criteria, cont.

Quizzes (shows students their level of Quizzes (shows students their level of knowledge)knowledge)

Oral presentations: individual or group Oral presentations: individual or group (gives an opportunity to go into a topic (gives an opportunity to go into a topic and to master one’s speaking skills)and to master one’s speaking skills)

Essays and reflections (let students Essays and reflections (let students formulate their thoughts and formulate their thoughts and questions on the topic)questions on the topic)

Final paper (final research on the Final paper (final research on the topic)topic)

ReferencesReferences

www.faculty.washington.edu/ktupperwww.faculty.washington.edu/ktupper http://syllabus.syr.edu/CSE/drcolasa/chttp://syllabus.syr.edu/CSE/drcolasa/c

se691/syllabus.htmse691/syllabus.htm