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Master Syllabus Form

to assist in the development of a source syllabus

Brown University

Handout 1

Choose your department:

Course Outline

Location:

Semester:
Year:

Course Title:

Course Leaders

Enter or edit text in the boxes for instructor and TA information.

Instructor InformationTA Information

Entries:

Entries:

[Note:Changing the number of professors or tas will cause the existed professors or tas information to disappear.]

1. Course description

As per the course announcement bulletin. This is an important first statement about what the course will cover; ensuring that the wording is accurate and precise helps to attract students who are genuinely interested in your class (and, conversely, dissuade those who are not).

2. Preamble

Rationale; where the course "fits" in the department curriculum and/or disciplinary context; mutual expectations; your philosophy of teaching and learning; course idiosyncrasies; pre-requisites; etc.

3. Goals

Broad statements of what you hope students will achieve as a result of taking your class. It is through achieving course objectives (below) that students realize these goals. If you intend to use computer technology, such as the World Wide Web, in your course, be sure that it actually enhances student learning and plan its implementation and assessment carefully.

This course has three specific aims: (1) to introduce students to the range of research methods available to X-discipline; (2) to instill the habit of thinking first about asking good questions and then deciding upon the methodology that is likely to be the most feasible and fruitful; and (3) to encourage the development of analytical skills that enable you to evaluate the quality of your own and other scholars' research.

4. Objectives

On completion of this course, students should be able to: (Nb: not an exhaustive list), Select ~ 5

analyzeappreciateclassifycollaboratecompare
computecontrastdefinedemonstratedirect
derivedesignatediscussdisplayevaluate
explainidentifyinfer integrateinterpret
justifylistnameorganizeoutline
reportrespondsolicitstatesynthesize
  1. Develop an interesting and important research question.
  2. Demonstrate a basic level of competence in the use of a variety of disciplinary research methods.
  3. Discuss the process of developing an argument in the X-discipline.
  4. Analyze and evaluate the quality of research of other scholars in terms of its methodological rigor.
  5. Outline a research proposal that documents how a given research question might be addressed.

These are the center-piece of your course outline, since everything else (assessment, readings, use of computer technology, visual aids, content, modes of instruction) is essentially shaped by them. Even though they occupy a mere five or six lines on your final document you should expect to spend several hours deliberating over what these should be.

5. Assessment

List various items and their respective weightings. Note that you should be assessing the extent to which students have achieved course objectives.

A second document (Handout #2) should be produced outlining (i) what readings are to be done by when, along with leading discussion questions; (ii) what form assessment will take; (iii) how assessment will be graded and by whom, (iv) where and when it is to be submitted (I have found producing a detachable course calendar a useful strategy in this regard); (v) your late policy; (vi) grievance procedures; (vii) arrangements for those with learning disabilities; (viii) other.

6. Course Overview

It is helpful to think in terms of a book or article: include an introduction, body, and conclusion. Give comprehensive titles to each part and lecture (c.f. 'chapters'). Preparing a short three-line summary of each lecture is also useful, both in the planning stages (for instructors) and in helping students prepare for class.

    Part I: X-Discipline as Method, Vocation, and a Way of Seeing
      Lecture 1 Introduction: X-discipline as an approach to problem solving
      Lecture 2 Thinking methodologically: the logic of disciplinary inquiry
    Part II:
      Lecture 3:

7. Reading and Audio-Visual Material

Include only required texts in course outline (detailed reading list goes in Handout 2). State where these texts can be purchased, and list approximate costs. Identify those texts that are on reserve at the library. If you are using computer technology, advise the students of what resources they will need during the semester.

Readings

Entries:

[Note:Changing the number of readings will cause the existed readings information to disappear!]

AV Material

8. Additional Information

Class size constraints; writing fellows...

Try to finish on a light note, e.g. "I'm looking forward to an interesting and rewarding semester!"

9. Saving your work

  • To save your work, click on Submit, then follow the instructions at the top of the next page.

This document was adapted from one prepared by Michael Woolcock (Sociology) for the Sheridan Center. We recommend that you save this Master Syllabus and use a copy as the basis for any syllabus you may be preparing. If you have further questions, please check the online version of the Syllabus Handbook or visit Sheridan Center to obtain a printed copy (revised 1997). Good Luck.