The course syllabus is one of the central artifacts of higher education. It is a critical means of communication between teacher and student and is often the first form of interaction. The syllabus can help set the tone, create an inclusive climate, and establish the conditions for learning in the course.
In support of students’ access to course expectations and schedules, as well as their ability to track their progress in a class, all RIT faculty are required to post course syllabi and student grades to courses in myCourses (RIT Policy D05.0 – Grades). Course shells open in myCourses two weeks before the official start date of the semester or term. Your syllabus should be available to review as early as possible to enable students to make informed decisions about enrollment. Should you require any assistance in this regard, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Online vs. Print
While myCourses allows downloading and printing of static MS Word and PDF versions of syllabi, developing your syllabus in/with myCourses is recommended for several reasons:
It will be a dynamic document that can be updated within the course term (students can be automatically notified of any updates) and from one term to another
Content is searchable online
Supports hyperlinking to other areas of myCourses (assignments, “handouts,” rubrics, grades, resources, etc.) and outside to the internet
All or parts of the myCourses-based syllabus can still be printed for students who want hard copies
Templates and Development
RIT does not provide an official template for syllabus development, but CTL does offer an example myCourses-based template for any course mode--in-person, online, or hybrid—that incorporates a conventional Syllabus area with a corresponding Weekly Plans area. Both include templatized and customizable material you can bring into your course and edit.
The Syllabus area of the myCourses course template is organized into the following sections:
Course Information and Expectations
Instructor Contact Information
Course Requirements and Resources
Activities and Assignments
Assessment and Grading
Much of the information needed for the Course Information and Expectations section—particularly the all-important learning outcomes and assessment methods—should be taken directly from the official Course Outline Form for your assigned course(s). Your department chair or program head can provide you with the form(s) and guidance on what is and is not modifiable in the transition to a course syllabus. If you are designing a new course, however, you will need to successfully complete the RIT course proposal process.
Before completing the Course Policies section, we encourage you to first consult our companion webpage, RIT Policies for Your Syllabus. The External Resources section (below) provides helpful information, advice, and examples for developing the remaining sections of your syllabus.