Developing the Syllabus

The template highlights the recent changes and includes comments with guidance and links to more information. Recent syllabus updates include:

• May 2026: Updated Syllabus Statements section. Updated headings for accessibility; please see the Tip Sheets on the USI Accessibility website on how to add headings in Word and tag in Adobe.
• January 2026: Minor updates to the AI Tools Use, Student Resources, and Additional University/Course Policies sections. Added accessible headings format.
• July 2025: Updated Syllabus Statements and Remote Proctoring sections.
• April/May 2025: Updated Syllabus Statements section with AED information; add’l minor updates. 
• August 2024: Revised suggested class recording statements.
• December 2023: A link to the Syllabus Statements (Course and University Policies) was added to Blackboard course pages starting in Spring 2024. Therefore, the Syllabus Statements section of the syllabus has been revised and shortened. See the Syllabus Template (pages 3-4). Note: this feature is not available yet in Blackboard Ultra.
• August 2023: added recommended Safety procedures and updated links.
• May 2023: updated links and Institutional Equity Office (Title IX and Affirmative Action) contact information.
• April 2023: added a suggested AI Tools Teaching and Academic Integrity syllabus statement.

• Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes. DePaul University Teaching Commons.
  This webpage guides you through writing outcomes and provides helpful examples.
• Writing Learning Intended Outcomes. Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. 
  This provides guidance and examples on writing course learning outcomes.
• Tip: Writing Learning Outcomes. Bayraktar, B. (2021).
  Simple explanations and tips on writing outcomes: "What do students need to know and be able to do at the end of the course?" This is part of a Backward Design series. 
• Bloom’s Taxonomy. Iowa State University Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
  This is a helpful guide with examples of using Bloom’s taxonomy.

• Revising syllabi to improve the student experience. Student Experience Project.
  Includes a step-by-step Syllabus Review Guide for using syllabus development or revision as a tool for creating a course that promotes equity, belonging, and a growth mindset for all students.
• The Syllabus from a Student Perspective. Gannon, K. (2019).
  This checklist guides the specific information that answers questions relevant to your students. Consider presenting some of this content as a FAQ or Q&A.
• How to Create a Syllabus. Gannon, K. (2019). The Chronicle of Higher Education.
  This 3-part series and interactive guide take a faculty perspective on developing our course syllabus while considering how to make the syllabus an entry point and invitation to the course for our students.
• Tips Round-up: Syllabi. Bayraktar, B. (2022).
  Resources for creating an engaging and student-centered syllabus.
• Tip: Creative Syllabi. Bayraktar, B. (2020).
  Suggestions for visually communicating your syllabus components.
• Planning the First Day. US CETL.
• AI Tools: Teaching Guidance. USI CETL.

• Accessible Syllabus
  Tips to build a syllabus that plans for considering student abilities and promoting student engagement and agency.
• Inclusion By Design: Survey Your Syllabus and Course Design - A Worksheet.  Brantmeier, E., Broscheid, A., & Moore, C.S. (2017).
  This tool helps you examine the tone and design of your course from an inclusion perspective.
• Creating a Warmer and More Inclusive Syllabus. Indiana University (2023).
• Creating the Foundation for a Warm Classroom Climate. Harnish, R.J. et al. (2011). Association for Psychological Science Observer.
  This teaching tip article provides examples of transforming syllabus statements into warm and inviting communication with your students.
• Inclusive Syllabus Language. University of Michigan (2020). 
  This webpage provides sample language to communicate expectations to students in an inclusive manner.
• UDL Syllabus. UDL On Campus, CAST.
  This webpage offers guidance for developing the syllabus elements while considering University Design for Learning (UDL).
• Creating Accessible Documents. University of Washington.
  This website offers helpful tips for creating accessible documents from common applications.
• Course Workload Estimator. Rice University
  This tool estimates a student's out of class hours/week based on the planned reading, assignments, and assessments.