The program is a summary provided to students as a reference point for the course rules, contents, methods and assignments. It sets the overall tone of the course itself, so it should be well organized, professional and useful to enrolled students. If you need to write a perfect syllabus for a class where you are teaching, follow the next steps.
Steps
Step 1. Open word processing software such as Word and a new document
If you have specific requirements for the structure, margins and character of the assignments you will give students, you should use the same for the program.
Step 2. Create a title for the page
You could use bold or a font large enough to make the title and page more eye-catching, but don't use colored fonts. The start page should include:
- The name and number of the course.
- Year and semester.
- Place and time of lessons.
- Contact details of the teacher, name, place and time of the office, email address and telephone number of the office.
Step 3. List the course prerequisites
If there are any, put them on top of the schedule.
Step 4. Write the course description
It should be about 3 to 5 sentences long and introduce the course to students, the scope and objectives, and tell who it is for. For example: “This course provides students with a basic understanding of the Italian legal system, including its history, objectives, practices and procedures. The course is designed primarily for students who want to pursue legal studies or a degree in political science, but it is interesting and educational for anyone interested in the legal system and how it works. Students will learn how to write legal documents, the rules on how to practice in court and the ethical responsibilities of lawyers and their assistants”.
Step 5. Describe the organization of the course
This means explaining how the teaching will take place (through lectures, workshops, online lessons, etc.), what kind of assignments will be assigned (quizzes, discussion groups, written assignments), if there will be a final thesis and if the course is the prerequisite for any other courses. You could also provide students with an outline of the topics that will be covered during the course.
Step 6. Outline the objectives of the course
To create the course objectives, you must first ask yourself questions about the lessons. What will students learn with this course? What more skills will they get? What questions will they be able to answer? Then sketch out what students will be able to do, say, or know once the course is complete. You could make a numbered or bulleted list with all the goals.
Step 7. Make a list of the materials you need
It should start with the manual used in the classroom. Provide students with the title, author, year of publication and ISBN of the book. There is no need to list the materials needed in any course, such as notebook, paper and pen; However, if students need unusual materials, such as a scientific calculator, certain software, or drawing tools, list them along with a list of places to find them.
Step 8. Describe the evaluation method
This section of the program will tell students how their work will be judged. Many schools and universities have specific rules on what should be included in this section, so check what your educational institution wants included. Some points that should appear in a program, required or not, are as follows:
- What will the voting system be.
- How much weight will the homework have on the final grade.
- A description of the consequences of late, missed or incomplete tasks.
- If there will be extra credits.
- If students can turn down too low grades.
- If students can retry tests that did not go well.
Step 9. Insert a calendar
This is the most important part of a good program. It should include a daily scan of homework, lesson topics and deadlines. Here are some tips for a good calendar:
- List the written assignments on the days they will be assigned and due to be submitted. You could write the deadline in bold, so as to be visible to students at a glance.
- Include the last day on which students can withdraw from the course without being penalized.
- List lesson topics, chapters and classroom activities. Do not include only reading and writing assignments in the calendar, but also information about the lesson (theme and chapter), and inform students about classroom activities and planned discussions.
Step 10. List the course policy, rules and expectations
Many schools and universities have specific policies and phrases that must be included in this section of the program, so check with the educational institution for reference points. Some things you might be talking about here are classrooms and institutions:
- Frequency. Many educational institutions have a broad attendance policy that you may want to include in your program. If, on the other hand, your policy is different from that of the university or school you refer to, write it down.
- Participation in the classroom. Describe exactly how students should participate in the classroom and how participation will affect the grade. Make sure to answer these questions: Will the grade depend on class attendance? Will participation in the event of uncertain votes affect the vote? Could the lack of participation lower the vote?
- Classroom education. You might think that college students don't need to be told how to behave in the classroom, but unfortunately that's not the case. If they are not provided with precise rules, they may feel they are considered adults and therefore act as they please. Then it clearly states what the policies are on eating and drinking in the classroom, on using computers and mobile phones, chatting with other students while the professor is speaking, recording lessons, and procedures for those who arrive late or leave early.
- University policies for those who copy. Most educational institutions have their own written rules on plagiarism, which teachers are obliged to include in the curriculum, be it in the text or by providing students with instructions on where to find them.
- Emergency procedures. You could provide students with school-wide emergency procedures in the event of an earthquake or terrorist threat, or facility-specific procedures in the event of a fire.
- Disability. Many schools and universities ask teachers to include some statements on how students with disabilities can make specific requests, such as wheelchair access or obtain transcripts of lessons. Check with the education system what information to enter.
Step 11. Give advice to students
Tell them where to go if they need help with each course, provide tips on how to study, or advice on how to use the program or get the most out of the course.
