What is the Core really trying to teach our students?
The Core cultivates the knowledge, the habits of mind and heart, and the practices of engagement with the world needed by citizens of our 21st century world.
What are the “best practices” in Core syllabus design?
- Syllabus content is appropriate for Core area.
- Learning objectives for Core, program/department, and course are clearly described on syllabus.
- Syllabus indicates clearly how course assignments are mapped to Core learning objectives.
- Syllabus includes assessment plan indicating how the success of the course will be measured (e.g., by mid-quarter survey as well as end of quarter instruments).
- Syllabus includes all elements expected by department and school/college including:
- Grading criteria.
- Explicit expectations for student achievement.
- Information on how students receive feedback and have opportunities to improve their performance.
- Academic integrity policy and disabilities policy.
- See the Resources page.
Where can I see exemplary syllabi that have been approved by Faculty Core Committees?
Please look to the right hand column of the Core2009 homepage for links to New Core exemplary syllabi.
What’s the minimum standard for syllabi?
Syllabus content is appropriate for the Core area in the view of the Faculty Core Committee. Syllabus includes all elements expected by department and school/college including:
- Grading criteria and expectations for student achievement.
- Information on how students receive feedback.
- Cover sheet (but perhaps not syllabus) indicates:
- How learning objectives will be clearly communicated to students (e.g., handouts, web link).
- How assignments relate to Core learning objectives.
- How the success of the course will be assessed (e.g. “Success of the course will be evaluated by end-of-quarter narrative evaluations.”).
How specific and detailed should the syllabus be?
Syllabi can be tentative. Specific reading and scheduling details can be developed later.
