
A syllabus is often the first point of contact between instructors and students; the way course information is presented sets the tone for the entire course and can make astudents sitting outside on lawn lasting first impression. A well-crafted syllabus not only communicates essential policies and schedules, but also conveys the instructor’s teaching philosophy, approachability, and commitment to student success. Allon Brann, teacher support specialist from the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI), shares some ideas for tweaking your syllabus to help make it more useful, easier to read, and a more accurate representation of what students can expect from your course.