Introduction to the parts of a syllabus

1. What is a syllabus?
And why should I care?
See also: http://gradschool.about.com/od/survivinggraduateschool/a/syllabus.htm

2. What is a syllabus?
• It is a document with important messages from your
professor and the university.
• It is a list of information about your class.
• It is a calendar of assignments.

3. Why should I care?
• It can help you plan your life.
• The syllabus is a contract that everyone must
follow.
The main reason you should care:
The syllabus tells you how to succeed.

4. What is in a syllabus?
Course Information
List of Materials and Books
Policies
Calendar of Study
List of Assignments / Grading Formula

5. Basic
Information
• Contact Information
The professor’s office location,
office hours, phone number,
and e-mail address.
• Information about the Course
Course name, number, meeting
times, number of credits

6. List of Materials and Books
• Required Readings
Textbook, supplemental books,
and articles are listed.

7. Policies
• Class Policies
• University Policies

8. Grading Formula
• Categories of assigned work
for the semester
• How much assignments are
worth
• How your grade is calculated

9. Calendar of Study
Course Schedule
• Study schedule
• Due dates for
assignments

10. What can I do with my
syllabus?
• Where to keep it
• How to use it

11. Where to keep your syllabus
In your notebook
On your computer
On your
smart phone

12. What to do with your syllabus
Use a planner to schedule
your work.

13. What to do
with your syllabus
Use Excel to
calculate
your grades.