Course Outline/Syllabus
A course outline, or syllabus, is a document that contains key information about a course. It also explains the class rules, policies, and procedures and expectations for behavior. A course outline can be a learning tool for participants because it clearly describes what they need to be effective learners and provides information about academic resources to support them. As it documents what is covered in a course, at what level, and for what kind of credit, a course outline also serves as a permanent record for the course.
Course outlines generally include the following information:
- Course description
- Course schedule
- Learning outcomes
- Learning/assessment tasks
- Due dates for assessments
- Assessment criteria
- Assessment submission procedures
- Prescribed texts and recommended readings
- Grades of assessment
- Participant responsibilities
If participants have a course outline, they will know what to expect from the course and can plan their workloads accordingly. A course outline also allows participants to see how the course content fits into other learning they may have accomplished or how it is part of a larger learning progression. However, as many an instructor can relate, participants do not always read their course outlines completely or carefully.