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Syllabus Template

  • The Syllabus Template (updated May 16, 2025) provides a guide for developing an effective and learner-centered syllabus and outlines the required elements and policy statements for the USI course syllabus. Here's an alternative link to download the .docx file.
  • The syllabus and course schedule should be distributed to students by the first day of class and be available on Blackboard to students throughout the semester.
  • The University and Course Policies (Syllabus Statements) are available on the Provost's Office website. A link to this webpage is on the Blackboard course menu.
  • Recent syllabus updates:
    • 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.
    • The template highlights the recent changes and includes comments with guidance and links to more information.

Resources for Developing the Syllabus

  • 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.