Step 1 - Create or Update your Course Syllabus


Step 1 - Create or Update your Course Syllabus


Creating your syllabus will be an ongoing process. It is listed here as Step 1, but your syllabus will develop as your course develops and will be completed as you go along.

The information below covers recommendations for syllabus content and placement.


Step 1-1: Create a Syllabus

syllabus image, text is indiscernible
Click the image above to see an example syllabus

As you get started with your syllabus, there are a number of recommended items to include. The link below provides a good place to start and can be used as a template.


Some of the recommended items include:

  • instructor contact information and response time 
  • online office hours
  • required materials
  • technology requirements and skills
  • required prior knowledge in the discipline/prerequisites
  • course-level learning outcomes
  • course format and pacing 
  • instructions on where assignment feedback & rubrics can be located
  • course grading policy (stated clearly and includes late work and expected turnaround time)
  • participation expectations*
  • course assignments with detailed expectations*
  • link to university academic policies and privacy policies for University-supported tools*

For a complete list view the syllabus example and the course evaluation rubric.


Student sitting at a desk with a laptop saying "hmmm" while taking a quiz.  Next to the laptop is a pop out bubble showing a quiz question that says "late assignments are always accepted without penalty, true or false."

The Importance of Clarity

In an online course it is very important to be as clear and consistent as possible. Keep this in mind when creating your syllabus. 


Syllabus Quiz

A great way to get students to read the Syllabus is to have them complete a syllabus quiz at the beginning of the semester. You can allow students multiple attempts, have the quiz automatically graded, and even require a certain score before they can move on in the course.

Click here for more information on syllabus quizzes or to see an example syllabus quiz.


Step 1-2: Adding your Syllabus to the Course

There are several options for how to add a syllabus to the course.

  1. Syllabus Tool (Recommended): The Syllabus tool Links to an external site. in Canvas can be added to the course navigation Links to an external site., allowing students to access it from anywhere in the course. Syllabus content is placed directly on this page, functioning like a standard Canvas page—see an example here. If using this method, you can also add a link to the syllabus in the modules through a Canvas page—view an example here (see Syllabus Link page).
  2. Canvas Page: Another option is placing the syllabus content on a Canvas page and adding it to a prominently placed module (usually near the top) for easy access.
  3. Syllabus Link: In addition to one of the above methods, you can add a direct link to the syllabus on the home page—see an example here.
  4. PDF or Word Document (Not Recommended): Uploading a PDF or Word version of the syllabus is possible but not recommended due to accessibility concerns and ADA Title II compliance.

 


>> The next section will discuss how to put together the course schedule and how to layout your course.