Perhaps the earliest introduction a student has with a course is the syllabus as it’s generally the first document, next to the textbook and other purchased course materials, that students acquire. Quite simply, the syllabus provides guidance for students to help them succeed in the course. It includes key information about the course, serving to help faculty and students stay on track and providing both a foundation and a touchstone throughout the course. While syllabi are ubiquitous on college campuses, so is the complaint that students don’t use them. To address that concern, some faculty have implemented strategies to encourage syllabus use, from giving syllabus quizzes to hiding extra credit within the syllabus pages. Others take the traditional approach of reading through the syllabus at the beginning of the first session, which may work for some learners. But I’ve found these approaches did not align with my teaching style.
