Syllabus Preparation

The following resources are online or available at Pickler Memorial Library.

Eberly, Mary B., et al.  "The syllabus as a tool for student-centered learning"  Journal of General Education 50/1 (2001): 56-74.  Call Number: L11 J775
Study from Oakland University in Michigan on the use of syllabi in general education classes.

Erickson, Bette La Sere.  "Preparing a syllabus and meeting the first class."  Chapter 5 in Teaching College Freshmen.  San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1991.  Call Number: LB 2331 .E76 1991
General overview of designing an effective syllabus.

Garavalia, Linda S., et. al.  "Constructing the course Syllabus: Faculty and student perceptions of important syllabus components."  Journal of Excellence in College Teaching 10/1 (1999): 5-21.  Call Number: LB 2331.J68
Results of a survey among faculty members and undergraduate students on importance of syllabus elements.

Gimbert, Belinda G. and James F. Nolan.  Team based curriculum deliberation in a school-University partnership: How far does it go?
ERIC Document (Available in Microfiche Collection): ED452787
"The purpose of this study was to describe and assess the collaborative process of curriculum design and implementation that evolved in the context of a school-university partnership. Research questions driving this study were: (1) why do mentor teachers and university faculty in a school-university partnership choose to become involved in a process of developing a classroom learning environment syllabus?; (2) how does this process emerge and become modified?; and (3) what impact does this evolving process have on children, preservice teachers, mentor teachers, and university faculty?" (ERIC Abstract)

Grunert, Judith.  The Course syllabus: A learning-centered approach.  Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing Co., 1997.  Call Number: LB 2361 .G78 1997
Relatively brief overview of effective syllabus design, including examples and list of resources for further reading.

Parkes, Jay and Mary B. Harris.  "The Purposes of a syllabus"  College Teaching 50/2 (Spring 2002): 55-61.  Link to Article (EBSCO Host)
"Proposes that syllabi serve three major roles: the syllabus as a contract, the syllabus as a permanent record, and the syllabus as a learning tool--each of which has implications for what a syllabus should contain. Offers general observations about constructing syllabi." (ERIC Abstract)

Rankin, Walter.  "A Survey of course Web sites and online Syllabi"  Educational Technology 40/2 (March/April 2000): 38-42.  Call Number: LB 1043 E33
"Reports the results of a survey of course Web sites and online syllabi used by students and faculty at higher education institutions across the country and offers suggestions for ways of incorporating relevant and often overlooked links to other sites." (ERIC Abstract)

Reppert, James E.  Evolution of an academic course syllabus: Instructor modifications and student feedback
ERIC Document (Available in Microfiche Collection): ED455543
Contains examples of syllabi and course materials developed with "Prometheus", an interactive course syllabus system developed by George Washington University and implemented by the author at Southern Arkansas University (SAU).

Compiled by Dan McGurk
Pickler Memorial Library