Understanding the Academic Structure of the US Classroom: Syllabus

Functions of the Syllabus It explains the standards by which students’ performances will be evaluated; It explains the standards by which students’ performances will be evaluated; It lists the readings students are expected to complete; It lists the readings students are expected to complete; It fixes the dates for a task completion; It fixes the dates for a task completion; It states the rules (absence, cheating, behavior, etc.); It states the rules (absence, cheating, behavior, etc.); It addresses the emphasis given to any particular assignment as a proportion of the final grade; It addresses the emphasis given to any particular assignment as a proportion of the final grade; It helps students to plan their semester and organize their studying in the most effective way. It helps students to plan their semester and organize their studying in the most effective way.

Structure of the Syllabus 1. Course title, University, Semester, and Year 2. Vital information about the course: Name of the professor, Office number and Office hours, at least one way to contact professor (telephone # or ), class days and times, class room Name of the professor, Office number and Office hours, at least one way to contact professor (telephone # or ), class days and times, class room 3. Course Description (a paragraph describing what a course will cover, what language skills will be covered, what students will learn, and how they will participate) 4. Course Objectives (what students will have learned and what they will be able to do by the end of the course. Objective statements usually begin, “Students will be able to… ”) 5. Grading Criteria 6. Attendance Policy 7. Required Texts and Materials 8. A Weekly Schedule. This is a calendar of class topics, including the following · reading assignments · reading assignments · due dates for written assignments · due dates for written assignments · dates for quizzes or mid-term exam · dates for quizzes or mid-term exam · date and time of the final exam · date and time of the final exam

Grading Criteria Attendance on lectures (conveys critical information, history, background, theories, and equations) Attendance on lectures (conveys critical information, history, background, theories, and equations) Participation in discussions (helps to clarify what students learn, and adds to their own perspectives and experiences) Participation in discussions (helps to clarify what students learn, and adds to their own perspectives and experiences) Observations (leaning from example by observing instructors who demonstrate models and skills) Observations (leaning from example by observing instructors who demonstrate models and skills) Practical application (helps students learn, understand, and apply new information and theories) Practical application (helps students learn, understand, and apply new information and theories)

Grading Criteria, cont. Quizzes (shows students their level of knowledge) Quizzes (shows students their level of knowledge) Oral presentations: individual or group (gives an opportunity to go into a topic and to master one’s speaking skills) Oral presentations: individual or group (gives an opportunity to go into a topic and to master one’s speaking skills) Essays and reflections (let students formulate their thoughts and questions on the topic) Essays and reflections (let students formulate their thoughts and questions on the topic) Final paper (final research on the topic) Final paper (final research on the topic)

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