Handbook Table of Contents > Preparing to Teach > The Syllabus
Indiana University Teaching Handbook
Preparing to Teach
The Syllabus
Your course syllabus can do much to calm student anxiety on the first day of class. The ideal syllabus (either one you design or one provided by a lead instructor or by the department) should serve as a basic reference document for both you and your students, and as such should include the following items:
- your name, title, office number, office telephone, office hours, e-mail address, and where to leave messages
- course number, section, title, meeting days and times, room and building
- pre-requisite(s) of the course
- description of the course (topics, themes, ideas)
- course goals or objectives (student skills and mastery to be achieved)
- required purchases: texts and supplies
- expectations and policies regarding attendance, tardiness, and late assignments
- space for names and telephone numbers of at least two classmates
- grading standards and criteria
- policies regarding pass/fail, incomplete, and withdrawal marks
- policies regarding academic dishonesty
- a table listing topics to be covered in sequence with dates
- reading assignments and dates due
- due dates for major assignments and place, date, and time of final exam
