The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) supports Drexel University instructors in course development, including the development of course learning goals and the design of assessments and learning activities to meet those goals. This site provides links to a number of resources that can assist instructors in that process, as well as links to important policies and information that instructors at Drexel should use in the creation of their syllabi. In addition to these resources, TLC consultants are available for individual consultations at any stage of the course and syllabus development process.
Research indicates that syllabi can increase student motivation and create equitable learning environments through transparency about key expectations for student learning and engagement. Consistent with the University’s Course Syllabus Policy, all courses at Saint Louis University are expected to have a syllabus, and all syllabi are expected to provide students with basic information about key aspects of the course.
Below are the required syllabus components for all SLU courses, as well as recommended syllabus components and other considerations that can enhance syllabi. Click the down arrows next to each header to expand the text and learn more.
Please note: Academic units and programs (like the University Core) may require you to include additional information in your syllabus. Please check with program leaders if you need information about additional, program-specific syllabus content you should include.
Required Syllabus Components
The University's Course Syllabus Policy aims to ensure that all students have access to consistent information about their courses and about University-level policies. The policy identifies nine components that must be a part of every course syllabus. These nine components constitute a minimum; academic units may require additional components, and instructors may choose to include other information. The policy specifies the information that must be included in every course syllabus, but it does not dictate a particular format or order for how this information is presented in a syllabus. Academic units may require additional components to be included in course syllabi, and individual instructors certainly will want to add other course-specific information, as well. Required syllabus statements are available as a module in the Canvas Commons, for those who wish to import the statements directly into their Canvas courses. Click here for a printer-friendly version.
1. Course Information
a. Course number/section
b. Course meeting time(s) [if applicable]
c. Location [if applicable]
d. Pre-requisites/Co-requisites [if applicable]
e. Catalog Course Description
2. Instructor Information
a. Instructor name (including TA and peer instructors, if applicable)
b. Where, when, and how to contact the instructor
3. Learning
a. List course learning outcomes, objectives, and/or competencies
4. Required Materials and/or Equipment
a. Textbooks and/or course texts
b. Other materials and/or equipment (e.g., calculators, art supplies, lab safety equipment, medical equipment, hardware requirements, software access, virtual proctoring requirements, digital storage devices, special clothing, musical instruments, etc.)
5. Evaluation and Grading
a. List of components on which students will be evaluated (e.g., exams, projects, essays, participation, presentations, etc.)
b. Grading scale(s) governing the course
c. Policy on late or missing work/exams
d. Penalties on missed classes and/or tardiness [if applicable]
e. Catalog Course Description
8. Disability Accommodations
Insert and/or link to the required Disability Accommodations Syllabus Statement
Note: Due to accreditation requirements, regulatory differences, and/or location-specific resources, the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and SLU Madrid have their own standard language for syllabus statements related to disability accommodations. Faculty in those units should seek guidance for syllabus requirements from their dean's office.
9. Title IX
Insert and/or link to the required Title IX Syllabus Statement
Note: Due to accreditation requirements, regulatory differences, and/or location-specific resources, the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and SLU Madrid have their own standard language for syllabus statements related to Title IX. Faculty in those units should seek guidance for syllabus requirements from their dean's office.
Recommended Syllabus Components
In addition to the nine required components listed above, many instructors also find it useful to include information about or guidance on a range of other topics. The following list is drawn from common practices at SLU, as well as from the literature on effective syllabus construction and on creating inclusive courses that support student learning and success. This list is by no means exhaustive or in order of priority. Note: For some academic units, items on this list also may be required. Click here for a printer-friendly version.
Other Course Information
- An expanded description of the course, its priorities, key concepts, etc.
- Course schedule with due dates for assignments, exams, reading, and other activities
- Disclaimer about the possibility of changes to the course schedule
Information about Learning Activities/Assignments
- Description of informal learning activities students will engage in (e.g., informal in-class activities, participation expectations, service-learning experiences, etc.)
- Articulation of the link between course assignments/activities and state learning outcomes, objectives, and/or competencies
Additional Information about Academic Honesty
- Unit-level academic honesty policies and practices [if applicable]
- Course-specific guidance on academic honesty
- Statements of professional ethics or codes of conduct [if applicable]
Other Course-Specific Information
- Insert a basic needs security syllabus statement (like this one, which was developed at SLU to alert students to campus resources for things like food and shelter insecurity)
- Course etiquette/civility policies or other expectations about interactions between and among members of the class
- With a significant number of SLU courses now being conducted via various distance education modalities, a University-wide recommended syllabus statement on distance education etiquette is warranted. This statement is recommended for all syllabi for all courses at all locations (except the Madrid Campus) offered by the colleges/schools and other academic units reporting to the University Provost.
- Information about what will happen in cases of inclement weather
- Information about relevant safety/security protocols and procedures (e.g., location of eye wash stations, active shooter response, etc.)
- Distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences [if applicable and consistent with University attendance policy]
- Statement that student work in the course may be used in course/program assessment
- Information about requirements for experiential/off-campus learning (e.g., liability waiver, background check, internship learning contract, service expectations, etc.)
Other Considerations for Course Syllabi
Below are additional suggestions drawn from the literature on effective syllabus construction and adopted by some SLU instructors. The Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning can assist instructors who wish to learn more about items on this list. The Reinert Center website also may provide additional information about these considerations. Click here for a printer-friendly version.
Consider Adding a Graphic Syllabus
A graphic/visual representation of the major components of a course can help students connect to the larger purpose of a course and/or to better understand the relationships among the components of the course. Learn more about the content of a graphic syllabus here.
Share your Teaching Philosophy
Sharing a brief description of your philosophy of teaching can deliver students a way of understanding what they will experience in your course and why.
Articulate What Constitutes Engagement in Your Course
Explaining what constitutes successful "engagement" or "participation" in your course helps to make those expectations explicit and visible for all learners. This can be especially helpful for first-generation and international students, as well as others whose backgrounds may not have prepared them well to understand the "hidden rules" of successful academic engagement.
Share Tips for Success
Consider sharing tips for how to be successful in the course. For example, you might provide guidance on effective study strategies for your particular content area or tips for how to read course content effectively. Generic study or reading strategies may not work for your particular discipline or the kinds of concepts or texts you teach. Being transparent about what successful students do in your course or your discipline can help students meet your high expectations.
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Constructing a syllabus is an important component of the course design process. The following materials reflect a research-supported framework to help create a pathway to success in your course. Each semester, Innovative Learning reviews the syllabus framework, identifying needed updates and resources.
The Word files linked below outline Required and Recommended components for your syllabus. Many of these components are already in your Brightspace shell. They just need updates specific to your course. The files below include language that comes directly from University policies or is suggested by the University Senate or specific units. Other trial language reflects an autonomy-supportive classroom that can influence student perception and performance (Young-Jones, Levesque, Fursa & McCain 2019). Italicized text indicates notes to instructors. Plain text provides examples of language.
Tips for creating your syllabus:
- Don’t revise what you don’t have to. Resources listed under University Policies and Statements and the Student Services widget in the Brightspace shell are updated each semester and automatically populated. You may call these resources to your students’ attention.
- Instructors cannot see the Student Services widget in Brightspace, but you can see the most latest version of it here.
- Feel free to add additional resources that might help your students to your syllabus.
Once your syllabus is complete, please also upload it to Purdue’s Course Insights syllabus archiving system. For questions related to the syllabus framework, email innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu.
Note: The Purdue syllabus guidelines are influenced by Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT) and the resources available through Purdue’s Brightspace learning management system (LMS). It also addresses criteria of the valid and reliable syllabus rubric published by the University of Virginia Center for Teaching Excellence (Palmer, Bach & Streifer 2017). Components fall under five categories: 1) Essential course information, instructor contact information, and course description, 2) Specific, student-centered learning outcomes and objectives that are clear, articulated and measurable (Bristol et al 2019), 3) Assessment strategies for all graded assignments that make explicit connections between learning outcomes, activities, and content, 4) Pedagogical approaches and activities that help students achieve the course outcomes and objectives, and 5) Policies and approaches that foster engaging, student-centered learning environments.
References
Adena Young-Jones, Chantal Levesque, Sophie Fursa & Jason McCain (2019): Autonomy-supportive language in the syllabus: supporting students from the first day. Teaching in Higher Education. DOI: 10.1080/13562517.2019.1661375.
Levesque-Bristol, C., Flierl, M., Zywicki, C., Parker, L.C., Connor, C., Guberman, D., Nelson, D., Maybee, C., Bonem, E., FitzSimmons, J., & Lott, E. (2019). Creating Student-Centered Learning Environments and Changing Teaching Culture: Purdue University’s IMPACT Program. National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA).
Palmer, M. S., Bach, D. J., & Streifer, A. C. (2014). Measuring the promise: A learning‐focused syllabus rubric. To Excellerate the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development, 33 (1), 14-36.
A tourist magnet and a fuel exporter, Aruba is an autonomous territory of the Netherlands and one of the most prosperous territories in the Caribbean.
Colonised by the Dutch in the 17th Century, Aruba lies 25km north of the coast of Venezuela. Away from the beaches, hotels and casinos, much of the island is desert-like but a strong indigenous heritage, colonisation and Latin American influence have given it a distinctive social and linguistic character.
A gold rush in the 1820s triggered an economic boom, with an oil refinery opening a century later. Its temporary closure in 1985 sparked an economic crisis and Aruba has since invested in tourism which is its economic mainstay.
Aruba is susceptible to drug smuggling and illegal immigration but has passed laws to combat money-laundering.
In 1986 Aruba pulled out of the Netherlands Antilles - a federation of Dutch Caribbean territories - and obtained separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch government controls defence and foreign affairs while the island's government handles local matters.
Head of state: The King of the Netherlands, represented by a governor.
Prime minister: Evelyn Wever-Croes
Evelyn Wever-Croes was sworn in as Aruba's first female prime minister in November 2017.
A former tax lawyer, Wever-Croes began her political career in 2009 when she was elected to parliament as a member of the People's Electoral Movement (MEP). After only two years, she was elected to lead the party.
Under her leadership, the MEP won nine seats in the 2017 parliamentary elections, which allowed her to form a government with her coalition partners, Pueblo Orguyoso y Respeta (POR) and RED Democratico (RED).
She was returned to power after the June 2021 parliamentary elections at the head of a coalition government, as no party won an absolute majority.
Aruba observes freedom of the press, as guaranteed under Dutch law. The mostly widely-read newspapers are in the Papiamento language.
There are two commercial TV stations. A cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels and there are a wide range of commercial radio stations available.
Some key dates in Aruba's history:
2500 BC-1515 - First inhabited by Amerindians of the Arawak tribe.
1499 - Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda discovers the island and claims it for Spain.
1636 - Aruba is colonised by the Dutch and forms part of the Dutch West India Company.
1806 - Aruba comes under British rule during the Napoleonic Was but is returned to the Dutch in 1816.
1954 - Aruba becomes part of the autonomous federation of the Netherlands Antilles.
1971 - Pro-independence struggle led by the People's Electoral Movement party (MEP) seek separation from Dutch Antilles administration.
1986 - Aruba obtains autonomous status within the Dutch kingdom.
1990 - Transition to full independence is postponed indefinitely at Aruba's request.
1996 - Aruba is included on US list of major drug-producing or transit countries.
2009 - OECD removes Aruba from an international list of uncooperative tax havens after it improves standards of transparency.
2017 - Evelyn Wever-Croes is sworn in as Aruba's first female prime minister.
"They wouldn’t teach you that in prep school so it’s up to me."
These "Better than Revenge" lyrics capture something higher education has picked up on: Taylor Swift songs are their own school of life. The singer-songwriter's ballads are valuable academic tools, especially in an era of evermore online students catching up from years of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Alexandra Wormley, a PhD student at Arizona State University's department of psychology.
"We can start to reimagine what classrooms are supposed to look like," said Wormley, who will be teaching "Pscyhology of Taylor Swift" this fall.
After seeing Swift's Eras Tour opening night in Glendale, Arizona, this year, Wormley was sitting in her office with students chatting about the show. They started brainstorming what a psychology class that also talked about Swift would be like.
"We wrote up the syllabus that day," she said. "We went through a different album of hers and talked about related psychology topics."
Now the class has a waitlist for the fall semester. The course joins a series of Swiftie courses ranging from literature to social psychology at schools like Ghent University in Belgium, University of Texas at Austin, New York University, Stanford. All of these universities have offered or are currently offering a course focused on Swift’s lyrics, discography, as well as her potential impact.
The phenomena of higher education professors offering pop culture-based courses has existed: How to build a TikTok brand at Duke University mixed FYP with business savvy; #MeToo populated syllabi at Harvard University following the rise of the hashtag in 2017; Georgia students dove into Kendrick Lamar to understand social issues writing; “Beyoncé Feminism, Rihanna Womanism" at UT Austin discussed the origins of Black feminism and myriad "Harry Potter"-themed offerings have offered opportunities in film critique.
Those Taylor Swift figurines for sale online aren't from Funko, but fans will pay $250 anyway
But the proliferation of Swiftie courses begs the question why her music is having an academic moment.
Educators know she's hugely popular right now. Swift's mega Era's Tour has garnered millions of dollars and hearts this summer, treating fans across the nation (and soon around the world) to an intimate show that feels more like friendship hug than fan event. Even those who didn't attend the shows felt Swift's effect. And she hints at no sign of slowing down. With her announcement of "1989 (Taylor's Version)" coming this October, people are paying attention to Swift and her community, maybe making it just a little easier to pay attention in class.
Class engagement is a big motivator, Wormley said. Gen Z students currently in higher education lost valuable years of high school and college to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, enrollment in colleges and universities among young people is tenuous: A 2022 report by the ECMC Group found that more than half of teens are open to something other than four-year college and 2023 data showed they want to challenge how typical four-year programs are designed.
Wormley said these trends have left higher education instructors with a creative assignment: How do they help students catch up academically and socially, while showing them their degrees have real-world value?
Swift's writing helps students make person connections and prompts deeper discussions, said Elly McCausland, assistant professor of English literature at Ghent University. Her course "Literature: Taylor's Version" will be held this fall and intends to make the "archaic" language of Chaucer, Shakespeare and other canonical writers more understandable to her students, many of whom do not speak English as a first language.
"If I can provide a way into those texts, that might support them through that kind of alienation, then that's really important to me," she said.
Swift studies are not about dumbing down the academics, proponents say, but elevating something popular.
"These students are not showing up for a three hour Taylor Swift fan club," Wormley said. "This generation of students has been through so much. And if this is what it takes to get them back in the classroom and get them engaged, then I'm so happy to do this with them."
Wormley is most excited for week three of her class, which will focus on "Fearless," Swift's album about her roots. The record's discussion about growing up, first love and nostalgia for childhood freedom will be a venue for students to learn about social development theories.
"I think it's especially relevant for these students because they're leaving that period of adolescence," she said.
The "Fearless" lesson will discuss family, friendship and new romance in the context of research by Seanna Leath, a professor at Washington University at St. Louis who studies experiences of Black women and girls.
Swift's whiteness is worth addressing in these classes, said McCausland, especially when fields like literature are already so dominated by white creators. She's going to use "Betty," "August" and "Cardigan" from the "Folklore" album as a way to teach the technique of "writing back," a method to tell the untold side of a story the audience has already heard.
"[These three songs] invoke questions of language, power and voice and authority," she said. "Whoever has the language and has the voice has the power. We're using Taylor's songs as a springboard to explore that."
It was Wormley's intention to include work by underrepresented voices in her syllabus, not only to introduce students to diverse academic rockstars but to legitimize that they, too, can find their voice in the field of psychology, she said.
"Part of it is building a classroom environment where students feel comfortable bringing themselves and their background to the space and being like, 'Hey, maybe this is what the academic literature says growing up is like but in my community and my culture, it's actually really different,'" she said. "We're all going to interpret these lyrics different and we're all going to attend to different things … I like to think Taylor would be totally into this."
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book looks: See the beautiful book covers that scream Swift
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Swift college courses offered at growing list of universities
Things to See
What makes Aruba so special is the abundance of joy only a happy island can give. The most beautiful beaches to relax; crystal clear waters for diving, sailing, snorkeling, swimming; a rough and rocky coast to explore; museums, galleries and landmarks. There’s plenty to keep nature lovers, culture-seekers, water sports fanatics, art enthusiasts, families and couples busy and wanting to come back for more.
Caution: Aruba's sun is strong, especially between 12 pm and 3 pm, so don't forget the sunscreen and the bottle of water.
Hot Tips: Be sure to take your I LOVE ARUBA photos at the huge sign in front of the House of Parliament downtown.
Where to Stay
Most of Aruba's hotels and resorts are highly rated and right on the beach. Visitors choose the high-rise area to include the vibrancy of the island's best restaurants, nightclubs and shopping malls in their surroundings. For beach-lovers looking for peace and relaxation, the low-rise resorts offer a variety of lodging options, like adults-only accommodations but also include family oriented, all-inclusive options located close or right in the center of downtown Oranjestad.
Avoid: High season in Aruba? If big crowds and high rates are a problem, book a more peaceful vacation in September or October.
Hot Tips: Each resort has its own unique set of activities and amenities. Do some resort hopping to find out where to stay the next time.
What to Eat
For such a small island, Aruba offers a great variety of amazing food. The places to eat, to have a drink and to wind down after a busy day of funning and sunning are breathtaking in so many ways. Going for only the very best restaurants or a quick and casual bite? The good news: any location is just a couple of minutes away.
Hot Tips: Visit a snack truck and trial some typical late-night delicacies.
Be Sure to Sample: Try fresh catches of the day and other local dishes like goat stew and stuffed Gouda cheese.
Places to Party
Aruba’s nightlife has come a long way in latest years. There are the popular alternatives like gambling in one of Aruba’s most glamorous casinos or sipping tasty cocktails during happy hours. But for those who are looking for more of a dynamic bar hopping atmosphere, most all relevant hot spots and nightclubs are located in the area known as High Rise, and are all known for their buzzing crowds, late night eats, after hours parties, laid-back dress code and approachability.
Avoid: Although Aruba is a safe island to visit, tourists should always be aware of their surroundings, keeping an eye on their belongings and locking rental cars when parked.
Hot Tips: Enhance your Aruba experience by learning the Salsa at Aruba Salsa Dance Company and conquer the dance floor in no time.
Where to Shop
There is a wide range of shopping malls to explore in Aruba, as well as independent shops, boutiques, souvenirs and flea markets. But to experience real island pride, a shopping day in the newly renovated downtown Oranjestad is highly recommended, including a visit to one or two museums. Although some parts may still be under construction, a stroll through the embellished main street while visiting the oldest retail and department stores on the island should not be missed.
Hot Tips: Climb aboard downtown�'s trolley car, sit back and enjoy a scenic ride along the harbor and down Main Street Oranjestad.
Best Local Souvenir: Aruba Aloe products from the Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory at Hato.
August is a weird movie month: a lot of folks are on vacation, the big summer blockbusters are petering out and the fall festival and awards season movies are just out of reach. It’s the perfect time to catch up with the best films from the first half of the year, especially those that may have flown under the radar.
Like father like son: Brandon Cronenberg (son of David) unveiled his sophomore feature “Infinity Pool” in January, starring Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgard, as a pair of vacation friends whose high-end trip goes increasingly off the rails (manslaughter, drug-fueled orgies, the creation of clones to be executed in one’s stead). Stream the delightfully twisted “Infinity Pool” on Hulu or rent it elsewhere.
French actress Laure Calamy stars in the taut domestic drama “Full Time,” as a woman on the run – literally. Writer/director Eric Gravel configures the story of a divorced mother of two striving to pull her family out of poverty as a ticking clock thriller, and Calamy has never been better. Rent it on all platforms.
The French Cambodian co-production “Return to Seoul” is one of the best films of the year, full stop. Davy Chou’s searing investigation of identity is anchored by a bewitching performance by artist Park Ji-min, who stars as a French woman searching for roots, family and herself in her birth country of Korea. Stylish and intoxicating, “Return to Seoul” also boasts one of the best soundtracks of the year. Rent it on all platforms.
Writer/director Jamie Dack tackles a predatory relationship between an adult man and a teenage girl with honesty and clarity in “Palm Trees and Power Lines,” starring Lily McInerny and Jonathan Tucker. A similar relationship is also explored in Laurel Parmet’s debut feature “The Starling Girl,” which premiered at Sundance this year and stars Eliza Scanlen and Lewis Pullman, but is set in the world of a fundamentalist Christian church. Both films handle the challenging course with care, grace and an unflinching gaze. Rent both on all platforms.
Sally Hawkins stars in a charming true story based on real history, “The Lost King,” directed by Stephen Frears, about the woman who led the charge to unearth King Richard III’s remains in Leicester, England, working off her intuition and a desire to restore the king his rightful story. Stream it on AMC+ or rent it elsewhere.
The searing eco-terrorist thriller “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” couldn’t be more timely, or more relevant, in the light of ongoing climate disaster around the world this summer. For a bit of catharsis, rent it on all streaming platforms.
Teyana Taylor storms the screen in her debut starring role, “A Thousand and One,” directed by A.V. Rockwell, Taylor, a musician and dancer, proves acting is another one of her many talents in her performance as a young mother in ’90s Harlem struggling to make a comfortable home life for her young son. Stream it on Peacock or rent it on all platforms.
Kelly Reichardt brings her signature pace and tone to the gently amusing tale of Portland art world professional jealousy in “Showing Up.” Michelle Williams stars as a striving ceramics artist in this incisive portrait of attempting to make art against the complexities of everyday life. Rent it on all platforms.
Get a little naughty with Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott in the dom-sub rom-com “Sanctuary,” directed by Zachary Wigon, a stylish and seductive chamber piece about power dynamics in the bedroom and the board room. Rent it on all platforms.
Take a trip down memory lane with “BlackBerry,” an audacious business portrait of the failed cellular device that ruled the pre-iPhone world back in the mid-aughts. Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton deliver the performances of their careers in this daring docu-style film directed by Matt Johnson (who co-stars). Rent it on all platforms.
The alluring French actress Adele Exarchopoulos is steaming up screens this August in Ira Sachs’ love triangle movie “Passages,” opposite Ben Whishaw and Franz Rogowski, but a few months ago, she starred in the enchanting French family drama “The Five Devils,” an exploration of familial trauma and repressed memories with an intriguingly witchy bent. Stream “Passages” on Mubi or rent it elsewhere.
Finally, be sure to catch Saim Sadiq’s arresting drama “Joyland,” the first Pakistani film to play in competition at Cannes as well as Pakistan’s Oscar entry last year, despite being banned in some regions of the country. Sadiq tackled a bold course for his debut feature, centering this film around the romance between a transgender dance performer and a married man in the city of Lahore. But “Joyland” is so much more than just their story, encompassing the entire family into this moving film. Rent it on all platforms.
The Syllabus area of the myCourses course template is organized into the following sections:
- Course Information and Expectations
- Instructor Contact Information
- Course Requirements and Resources
- Activities and Assignments
- Assessment and Grading
- Course Policies
- Course Schedule
Much of the information needed for the Course Information and Expectations section—particularly the all-important learning outcomes and assessment methods—should be taken directly from the official Course Outline Form for your assigned course(s). Your department chair or program head can provide you with the form(s) and guidance on what is and is not modifiable in the transition to a course syllabus. If you are designing a new course, however, you will need to successfully complete the RIT course proposal process.
Before completing the Course Policies section, we encourage you to first consult our companion webpage, RIT Policies for Your Syllabus. The External Resources section (below) provides helpful information, advice, and examples for developing the remaining sections of your syllabus.
Regardless of where you are in the syllabus-design process, you can always request one-on-one consultations with a CTL staff member.
