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Create a Syllabus

The Center for Research, Teaching and Learning (CTRL) provides basic guidelines for how to structure a basic syllabus. Below is a rough outline of a syllabus, but the CTRL site offers additional resources and language for your syllabus.

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Basic Course Content

-Course Information

  • Course name, course number, and number of credits

  • Instructor’s name

  • Office location and office hours

  • Office phone and email address, and best way to contact instructor

-Course description and goals
-Required textbooks and materials
-Social media usage


Student Learning Outcomes

As part of our Middle States accreditation, student learning outcomes need to be a part of all course syllabi. Please click the "Student Learning Outcomes" header above for more information.

 

Course Requirements and Expectations

  • Readings

  • Class participation policy

  • Attendance policy

  • Policy on collaborative work

  • Assignments

  • Other course policies

  • Social media policy

 

Academic Integrity Code


Grading System

  • Evaluation criteria

  • Percentage of course grade for assignments and activities

 

Class Schedule

  • Emergency Preparedness
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The following paragraph about must appear in your syllabus:
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In the event of an emergency, American University will implement a plan for meeting the
needs of all members of the university community. Should the university be required to close
for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational
programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the
duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional
format and/or use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class
to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will
communicate class-specific information to students via AU e-mail and Blackboard, while
students must inform their faculty immediately of any absence. Students are responsible for
checking their AU e-mail regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the
event of an emergency, students should refer to the AU Student Portal, the AU Web site
(www.prepared.american.edu) and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general
university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for
course and school/ college-specific information.
        
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