Carefully constructed syllabi and online courses provide students with a road map for learning and communicate both our respect for them and our desire to see them succeed. (quoted from The Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching by Artze-Vega and Darby).

StFX Syllabus Templates

To be inserted.

Things to think about when planning your syllabus: 

Norton's Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching (open access) is an excellent resource for the beginning to think about what you want your syllabus to be. In particular, chapter 1 unit 3 offers helpful advice and examples on creating an equity-minded syllabus. 

 

What Is A Syllabus To You?

• The syllabus can be said to enact one’s theory of teaching. (Collins, 1997). 
• Learning objectives
• Assessments
• Learning guide for students

Collins (1997) focuses on some basic assumptions about the syllabus: 

Assumption 1: My syllabus enacts my theory of teaching.

Assumption 2: My syllabus functions as a figure of the course and its theory.

Assumption 3: Students are not usually telepathic.

Assumption 4: Faculty are responsible for building courses that promote the success of all students who legitimately enroll in their courses, not just the most experienced, the most familiar, the most attractive, or the most highly achieving.

Assumption 5: As faculty, it is our job to disclose as much insider knowledge as possible to promote the success of all students, and the syllabus is an important tool in such disclosure of tacit knowledge.

Syllabus Checklist

A syllabus should contain the following: 

1. A section about yourself. Who you are, when/where you are available, pronouns. (Image from Equity-Minded Teaching)
   
2. A course overview. Consider Norton's Content- vs. Learning Focused Course Overview. 
3. A course timeline. When are major assignments occurring? Are there days off in the class? Which topics are being covered when? Be as clear and concise as possible. 
4. Learning objectives. 
5. Grading scheme.
6. Major assignments.
7. Policies and class rules.

Additional Resources

eCampus Ontario - Learner-centred course structure and content

Carleton University EDI Teaching Toolkit for Instructors

Collins (1997) For Openers... An Inclusive Syllabus

Northern Illinois University - Create an Accessible Syllabus in Word

University of Minnesota - Course Syllabi

• Start with 7 Core Skills

Toronto Metropolitan University - Foundations of a Course Outline

Learning Technologies - Creating an Accessible Syllabus

Penn State - Syllabus Templates in Word

Stanford University - Designing an Accessible Course

University of Washington - Accessible Technology

• IT Accessibility Toolkit

University Affairs - Five days to a well-designed syllabus: introducing the syllabus design boot camp

Berdahl - Learning Outcomes Worksheet

The University of British Columbia - Learner-centered syllabus toolkit