Sections:
Setting the Stage: Preparation and Tone
Active Engagement: Discussion in the Classroom
Sustained Success: A Living Document
Introducing Your Syllabus to Your Class
Santa Clara University recognizes that your syllabus matters. That it is an opportunity to set a positive tone and serve as a shared resource for your students’ learning journey. Rather than treating it as a static legal contract—a document of rules and requirements—you can approach the syllabus with active, student-centered strategies that help transform it into a dynamic and welcoming guide, emphasizing partnership and collaboration from day one.
As we emphasize in our resource on syllabus design, "A well-designed syllabus does much more than convey policies. [It] sets the tone for the course, establishes trust, and creates a roadmap that supports student success."
Setting the Stage: Preparation and Tone
A truly meaningful conversation about the syllabus begins with its creation. You can aim to write with a warm, inclusive tone, using "I" and "we" language to emphasize that you and your students are partners in their educational process and that success is a shared responsibility. It is helpful to accompany every policy and assignment with a clear rationale—explaining why a policy exists and how it directly supports the course goals. For instance, instead of just stating a late policy, you might explain, "The strict deadline for Project X helps us practice the kind of time management and accountability often required in professional settings, which is key to your career readiness."
It's also beneficial to design for accessibility—using clear headings, sufficient white space, and a logical flow ensures the document is easy to read and navigate for everyone. You can also normalize support resources, such as mental health services, academic support centers, and basic needs information. By framing these as positive, proactive tools for success, you can encourage students to see them as resources to draw upon, rather than a list of requirements.
Active Engagement: Discussion in the Classroom
When you discuss the syllabus together with your class, you can replace a passive presentation with active learning techniques that encourage exploration and engagement. Some strategies to use might include:
- Syllabus Scavenger Hunt/Quiz: A short, low-stakes, open-syllabus quiz can invite students to locate key information. This low-pressure activity helps them practice navigating the document and familiarizes them with crucial details (e.g., exam dates, instructor office hours).
- Expert Groups: You can divide students into small groups and assign each a specific section of the syllabus (e.g., grading, academic integrity). They can become the "experts" on their topic and present the key points back to the class, promoting shared ownership and deeper learning.
- Co-creation of Community Guidelines: Inviting students to contribute to the class's code of conduct or communication policy gives them a sense of ownership over the learning environment, helping to foster internal commitment rather than simply adhering to external rules.
For topics that may be complex, such as AI use policies or academic freedom, you can address them explicitly. This means explaining your philosophy and expectations in depth, offering concrete examples, and encouraging questions to ensure everyone is clear on how these policies support the shared learning environment. Throughout the discussion, you will want to connect the course content and skills to real life and future goals, showing students the practical and long-term value of their efforts.
Sustained Success: A Living Document
The syllabus can be a valuable tool throughout the entire semester, not just on the first day. You can refer back to it often, modeling its use as the primary source of information. You might project a relevant page at the start or end of class to review the day's plan or preview an upcoming assessment, reinforcing its status as a living document. Finally, it's important to be approachable and consistently reinforce the welcoming tone set in the syllabus by being available for questions and seeking student input to foster a responsive, positive course climate.
By using these practices, the syllabus conversation can be a productive and welcoming first step toward a successful and collaborative semester.
This digital resource for teaching was created by Thiadora A. Pina for the Center for Teaching Excellence and Faculty Development. Last updated on 12/15/2025.