#The Syllabus#

**Agenda**
1. Introduction to Zoom Polling Tool
2. Syllabus: What am I saying to my students?
3. My Syllabus: How am I saying it?
4. What does it say about the course/ me/ the students/ etc.?
5. How do I get my students to read/ process/ shape it?
6. General Q & A

**1.** **Syllabus: Essentials**
Group Work Activity #1 (3 people each)
STEP 1: Discuss the following questions in your group. (10-12 min.)

a. How do you define the word ‘syllabus’?
b. Which of the definitions do you agree with: A syllabus is a contract vs a syllabus is a learning document?
c. What do you consider essential components in a syllabus?
d. How are you communicating the essentials?

STEP 2: Report back to other groups (6 people) (10 min.)

**2**. **My Syllabus: How am I saying it?**
Tone
'[warm syllabus](https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/creating-the-foundation-for-a-warm-classroom-climate)’ (Harnish et al, 2011): six central elements (Language; Rationale, Self-Disclosure, Humor, Compassion, Enthusiasm)

Layout
'[liquid syllabus](http://www.teachingwithoutwalls.com/2014/08/the-liquid-syllabus-are-you-ready.html)’ (Pacansky-Brock, 2014)
[infographic](https://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/2017/08/14/how-to-turn-your-syllabus-into-an-infographic/) (Newbold, 2017)
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**3. How do I get my students to read, process and shape it?**
Group Work Activity #2
STEP 1: Discuss this question in your group. (4-5 people) (5-8 min)