Research on teaching and learning has consistently shown that communicating in detail about these aspects of your course — at the beginning and throughout the term, through both a written syllabus and verbal explanations — helps students succeed and can help you avoid misunderstandings and grade challenges later in the term. In addition to clarity of expectations, a welcoming tone is important to help communicate the positive learning environment you want to create in your course. For specific suggestions and Brown examples about ways to develop a learner-centered syllabus, please see this Sheridan newsletter on Invitational Syllabi.

Note: the College Curriculum Council (CCC), which reviews undergraduate course offerings, has developed a set of guidelines with required elements for undergraduate courses.

Brown University Syllabus Elements

Adapted from Howard B. Altman and William E. Cashin, “Writing a Syllabus,” IDEA Paper No. 27.