1. Syllabus Development

2. Syllabus
 A tangible guide or blueprint to the
educational experience
 Arranged from general to specific
 Institution objectives
 Program objectives
 Course objectives
 Unit objectives

3. Uses of Syllabi in Higher
Education
 Syllabi are public descriptions of courses
 Often are used in grievance and judicial
hearings
 Used routinely to determine course
equivalency in transfer situations
 Forms a contract between the student and
the university (Bers, Davis and Taylor, 1996)

4. Uses of Syllabi (Continued)
 Review of syllabi can be a means to evaluate
curriculum over time
 Serves an organizational role in course
development
 Makes clear the responsibilities of the faculty
and students
 Provides security for students in knowing the
expectations of a particular course
(McKeachie, 2006)

5. Course Description
 An expanded version of the course
description than in the college catalogue.
 Also includes:
1. Course title
2. Prefix and number
3. Credit hours
4. Course description
5. Prerequisites/Co-requisites
6. Course purposes

6. Necessary Contents of a
Nursing Course Syllabus
 Contact information for the faculty
1. Instructor’s name
2. Office hours
3. Office location
4. Work and/or home telephone numbers
5. E-mail
6. Classroom location

7. General Program Objectives
 These objectives delineate the overall
expected learning objectives of the
program.

8. Program Objectives
Identification
 Program objectives met in a course can be
depicted at the end of the course objectives
by Roman Numerals. For example:
 Objectives:
1. Apply knowledge from nursing and related
disciplines to professional nursing practice in
all levels of prevention. (I, VIII). In this
example, I and VIII are Program
Objectives.

9. Course Objectives
 The list of course objectives may begin
with: “Upon completion of this
course, the students should be
able to…”

10. Methods for Accomplishing
the Course Objectives
 Weekly readings
 Specific projects with due dates
 Papers with due dates

11. Teaching/Learning Strategies
 Include strategies to facilitate learning
 Online instruction
 Discussion boards
 E-mail
 Lectures
 Group projects
 Small group discussion or collaboration
 Sites on the World Wide Web
 Simulation

12. Methods of Evaluation
 This section may include deliverables
for the class: projects, tests, and
expected class participation.
 Should correlate to the learning
objectives

13. Grading
 Includes the grading scale
 Provides criteria for each learning
assessment
 Specifies overall criteria for assigning a
course grade including percentages for
course assignments and tests

14. Textbook or Software
Required
 Specifies the required textbooks and
software packages student must
purchase

15. Attendance Policy
 If the course faculty require attendance this is
stated in the syllabus. Consequences of
absences must also be included.
 e.g. Students are expected to attend all
classes. A student’s grade will be decreased
by one percentage point for every unexcused
absence after one absence.

16. Disability Services
 Provide list of services available
 Include contact information

17. Academic Integrity
 Definitions of plagiarism
 Using another student’s work
 Define cheating

18. Student Support Services
 Library services
 Learning resource center
 Tutoring
 Open laboratory hours
 Computer lab hours
 Online resources and services
(http:www.curriculumworkshop.com.yc/syllabus/required.html)

19. Course Outline Specifications
 Topical outline of course content

20. Course Calendar
 Dates the class meets
 Due dates for assignments
 Dates for tests
 Topics or content areas
(http:www.curriculumworkshop.com.yc/syllabus/required.html)

21. Assignment Topics
 The instructor’s wording of assignment
topics can “convey excitement and
stimulate curiosity”.
 McKeachie, W. J. & Svinicki, M. (2006). Teaching tips:
Strategies, research, and theory for college and university
teachers. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

22. Presentation
 Positive and professional tone
 Easy to read
 Thoughtful organization
 Visually appealing
(http:www.curriculumworkshop.com.yc/syllabus/required.html)