Lecture two: The Syllabus

All information is the property of Eduardo Lopez, Jr., M.S.Ed and David J. Napiorski, M.S.Ed

Pre-Class: What is a course syllabus? What are the benefits of a course syllabus?

What you will learn…

• The purpose of a course syllabus.

• The essential elements of the course syllabus.

• How to “read” a course syllabus.

• How to “transfer” a course syllabus into your daily planner.

The purposeIn my opinion, the purpose of the course

syllabus is to provide the student with the

following:– The purpose for the course.– The teaching philosophy of the instructor. – A course of academic action for the course.

Essentially, it will be a map for your

academic growth.

The essential elements of the syllabus.

• As soon as the professor goes through the syllabus (and he or she will), find and highlight the following:– Professor’s Name / Teaching Assistant’s Name (if

any)– Emails / Phone Numbers– Office Hours– Meeting Locations / Times– Required Materials (books/lab equip/etc…)

How to “read” a course syllabus

• Code: !

• Meaning: Extremely important

• Information:– Grading Policy– Attendance/Particip.– Assessment Info. – Other – Midterms/Finals

• Code: (*)

• Meaning: Upcoming event

• Information: – Labs– Tests / Quizzes / Problem

Sets– Papers– Outside Lectures– Midterms/Finals

Let’s take a look…

• Please listen up to Mr. Lopez as he points out some interesting facets of the syllabi you have in front of you.

Part Two:Transferring

You should have a daily planner to help

you transfer some of the essential

elements from the syllabus.

Look Out!

• What to look for:– Course Name (ex: Psy 101)– Course Time (ex: 9:00am - 10:55am)– Course Day(s) (ex: MWF)

• Days of the week: Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday

Your First Semester Schedule

• MA 101 - M/W/F - 9:00am - 10:55am

• EL 101 - M/W/F - 12:00pm - 1:05pm

• SOC 101 - T/TH - 3:00pm - 4:30pm

• BI 101 - T/TH - 11:00am - 12:30pm

Transfering

• So, now that you have your schedule, you want to take your classes and input the dates into your calendar.

• All you need to do is put the class name and the time it meets.

• You should do this for the entire first month. You don’t need to repeat this process again because you’ll have already established a class routine.

M T W TH F

MA 101

9-10:55

BI 101

11-12:30

MA 101

9-10:55

BI 101

11-12:30

MA 101

9-10:55

EL 101

12-1:05

SOC 101

3-4:30

EL 101

12-1:05

SOC 101

3-4:30

EL 101

12-1:05

AM

PM

Concluding Remarks1. To reiterate, the syllabus is part of

your key to doing well in the course. Follow the syllabus!

2. Don’t think of your classes as “classes.” Think of your classes as appointments. This ensures that you are preparing yourself for the working world when you graduate!

3. Keep and follow your daily planner. Being organized is essential to being successful as a college student.