tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post115551563247426899..comments2024-03-25T19:00:40.046-06:00Comments on The Constructive Curmudgeon: The Art of the SyllabusDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1155573394808466442006-08-14T10:36:00.000-06:002006-08-14T10:36:00.000-06:00As a student, I rely on the syllabus to be clear a...As a student, I rely on the syllabus to be clear and thorough--even if it's a mile thick. It's important to know exactly what's expected of me, and where I have freedom to be philosophically creative, e.g., term papers. I use the syllabus in a fashion similar to Dr. G's jazz metaphor. A simple cord chart is fine, but you've always got to know whose turn it is to solo. A brief syllabus may let you know where the course is going, a la the cord chart, but it may not tell you your role in the class, where you solo.<BR/><BR/>Plus, the better the syllabus is the less time the prof has to spend going over it. One of my huge pet peeves is spending the first day of class going over the syllabus--as if we're all too stupid to read it ourselves.<BR/><BR/>However, my pet peeve has been tempered a bit by teaching undergrads. Undergrads of all stripes have one thing in common--no matter how well-prepared the syllabus is, they're just going to shove it in a folder, and never look at it again. Thus, it behooves the prof to waste time in redunancy, spelling out verbally what has already taken all summer to write down.<BR/><BR/>With all of this in mind, when I attempt to create a syllabus I try to be clear and concise, spelling out the course schedule and assignments with precision. I also try to include every single class policy that could be even remotely relevant. That way all of the contingencies are covered, and the student can't say, "I didn't know that was the way the class was run." If that comment happens to be made, I can simply say, "It was in your syllabus; you should have read it."Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07178836236878900349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1155532703244140452006-08-13T23:18:00.000-06:002006-08-13T23:18:00.000-06:00It seems to me, that the syllabus carries the same...It seems to me, that the syllabus carries the same effect as coming to the front door of a home one is considering purchasing. Being a real estate agent, when I come to the front door, it typically (but not always) tells me what the remainder of the home will be like. If the door is in good repair, painted or varnished well, with both locks working (on the same key)then the likehood of finding the remainder of the home well-tended increases. The syllabus carries a similar effect in setting the expectations of a class. I don't mean merely the amount of required reading, writing and class involvement, but also the professors level of commitment to the students in how carefully it is prepared.<BR/><BR/>Additionally, I tell buyers and sellers, on a regular basis, that successfully buying and selling a home always require doing one's homework: checking out the neighborhood, visiting the immediate area at night (not just during the day), being aware of the market conditions and prequalifying for the loan, ect. ect...Similarly, a clear, well written syllabus tells the student if the teacher has done their homework and sets the stage for expectations of the students work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1155524455611740132006-08-13T21:00:00.000-06:002006-08-13T21:00:00.000-06:00I am at times shocked by what some professors call...I am at times shocked by what some professors call a syllabus. I tend to be very thorough and professional with my syllabi. Clear course description and learning objectives, statement for students with disabilities, course requirements, a detailed schedule (which helps keep me on track), and a pretty extensive bibliography, among other things. Perhaps I am too detailed, but such is life!Tyler F. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06006169499862034391noreply@blogger.com