Let's Talk Teaching

Avoid inflicting a syllabus snooze-fest upon your students! We continue our discussion from our last episode. This time, we move from a larger perspective to the nuts and bolts of how a syllabus is put together and what needs to be included in it. How do you balance “official” language with the need to offer students a welcoming and accessible introduction to the course?

We often think a syllabus as a contract with our students. But who wants to read through a contract? In this episode, we take a “big picture” perspective of the course syllabus. Discover ways to tap into your students' natural interest in the course by making the syllabus about them… and not just about the rules and policies of your class.

Read the syllabus, get out early… right? Wrong! We challenge common assumptions (made by both faculty and students) about what should happen on the first day of class. Discover how to set expectations, establish the culture of your class, and lay the groundwork for an enthusiastic and productive semester.