Table of Contents
What is a Syllabus?
A record that describes all the required information about a course is called a syllabus. A syllabus is a document needed for teaching in that it helps to outline the fundamental components of a course, including what topics will be covered.
A course syllabus is a directional map that helps to proceed in the way of learning. It is an informative means that places a standard of what is expected to happen during the course completion. For example, the CBSE syllabus for class 12 is mainly designed for students studying in the class 12 CBSE board. It describes the concepts and topics based on which students will be tested in the final examination.
What are the Basic Parts of a Syllabus?
There are four essential parts of a syllabus, they are;
- Instructor Information: You will notice that your instructor’s name, contact details, and office timings are at the top of the syllabus.
- Reading Materials and Supplies: There will be a note about the materials required and recommended, and also, you will find the lists of books, online resources, and other content you will need for class.
- Policies: It outlines the student’s behaviour, their attendance requirement, how students will be graded. It also includes university-wide policies on academic honesty and respect.
- Class Schedule: this section includes when assignments are due and when tests will be given, course work for the class, homework, class assignments, labs, essays, and assessments.
Salient Characteristics of a Well-Designed Syllabus
- The syllabus defines the course objects: The syllabus describes the course structure and exams, assignments and other activities needed for students to learn the material.
- It is a course-planning tool: The syllabus supports the instructor to prepare and design the course.
- It provides students scope to do comprehensive practice in various problem sets, homework and subject-oriented assignments.
- The syllabus communicates to students a clear idea of the course content and their acquaintance throughout the course.
Importance of a Course Syllabus
The syllabus gathers all the information about the class in one place. If students have any queries regarding their class timings, due dates, office hours, assignments submission, they will answer all the questions on their syllabus. A syllabus mentions the date of the exams; for example, if it is an ICSE board, it describes the board exam schedule. If it is a CBSE board, it mentions the CBSE Exam dates for class 10 or 12. Then the students will get a clear picture of their exam dates on their syllabus. Taking time to read and understand the syllabus is very useful for students.
Why Should We Bother About a Syllabus?
- It makes an impression on your students: the design of the syllabus will make your students impressed. The syllabus is one of the materials the students will have about the course. A well-organised, easy to read and comprehensive syllabus will create a positive impression in students minds that they will understand you have put in a lot of effort to make the structure of the course they will learn.
- The syllabus fixes a tone: It sets a tone for students’ intercommunication with you. It also inspires instructors to consider how they word items in the syllabus. Policies and instructions written in a friendly manner will encourage students to communicate with you and ask questions. But those are written in an aloof tone that will discourage students.
- It carries information about expectations: A syllabus acts as a contract between instructors and students. Students will agree to the terms of the agreement by enrolling. It also tells about what instructors expected from their students. The students will also know how to behave and what is expected of them. It includes a course calendar, and assists students meet instructors’ expectations by planning how much time will be spent on each assignment. It makes it more comfortable for students to manage their time.
A syllabus is an excellent place for instructors to begin promoting students to comprehend the characteristics of a given course.