{"id":7505,"date":"2022-08-17T21:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T01:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/?page_id=7505"},"modified":"2026-01-14T14:57:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:57:01","slug":"write-your-syllabus-right","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/ofe-teaching-principles\/clear-course-design\/write-your-syllabus-right\/","title":{"rendered":"Write Your Syllabus Right"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>The most effective syllabi communicate essential information about the course and instructor, learning objectives, required materials, and assessments, and a link to a course calendar.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Along with essential information, syllabi communicate teacher presence, attitude, and orientation toward students and student learning. Interestingly, whereas many faculty prefer the brief \u201cone-page\u201d syllabus of days gone by, <a href=\"https:\/\/ezproxy.montclair.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search.ebscohost.com\/login.aspx?direct=true&amp;db=eric&amp;AN=EJ893127&amp;site=eds-live&amp;scope=site]\">Saville et al. (2010)<\/a> found that detailed syllabi inspired higher perceptions of instructor effectiveness than did brief syllabi. The 麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus template below provides instructors with an outline of the various elements to be included in the document along with tips for crafting the messaging.<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Consider the tone of your syllabus as well. <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using positive, transparent, and friendly language to convey information and expectations for student behavior also helps students feel welcome and sets the stage for better classroom relationships and engagement.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid including long lists of warnings and admonitions that may inadvertently communicate an anti-student, hostile attitude. <\/span> See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/teaching-resources\/pedagogical-strategies-that-support-learning\/warming-up-your-syllabus\/?\">Warming up Your Syllabus<\/a>\u00a0for strategies.<\/p>\n<h2>麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/teaching-resources\/clear-course-design\/the-montclair-syllabus\/\">麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus<\/a> is a template, updated each term, that ensures instructors provide all the essential elements for their students in a consistent way so that students understand the expectations for each course they are taking and can find the information they need more easily. The 麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus also contains links to campus resources that are updated regularly so that you can direct students to them without needing to research them yourself&#8211;or copy and paste bad links from past terms.<\/p>\n<p>To work on your syllabus in a google doc in advance, use one of these writable google doc templates:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Lq7_akad5BZMp6f5rqUFXYlMWE37j5PS6Nc4McRA0Jo\/copy\">Template for 麻豆传媒在线 campus courses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ZqR-uOQoF_U9QRoc2GW1pinOiVUDW7cK8AecN160sXk\/copy\">Template for Bloomfield campus courses<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Beginning Spring 2025,<\/strong> 麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus as an integrated tool is the default option in Canvas and should be used by all instructors. Visit<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/itds\/instructional-tech\/simple-syllabus\/\"> ITDS&#8217;s 麻豆传媒在线 Syllabus<\/a> for implementation support.<\/p>\n<p>Note: If you &#8220;course copy&#8221; from a previous semester, be aware that this may overwrite the new template unless you either <a href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/t5\/forums\/searchpage\/tab\/message?advanced=false&amp;allow_punctuation=false&amp;q=course%20copy\">selectively course copy<\/a> or enable the course syllabus in the navigation after you perform the course copy.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like more help in planning your course and your syllabus, you may find <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1OyHmgcEOQnAULuxRZWLYUtcI5bTCpK0mPy8ee0_4YTA\/copy\" target=\"_blank\">OFE&#8217;s Guided Course Planning<\/a> template helpful. This template follows a backward design framework to support creating a well-aligned, organized course and syllabus.<\/p>\n<h2>Creating A Weekly Schedule Calendar<\/h2>\n<p>See 麻豆传媒在线&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/academic-calendar\/academic-calendar-2025-2026\/\">academic calendar<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/instructor-essentials\/teaching-faqs\/\">OFE&#8217;s Teaching FAQs<\/a> webpage for scheduling details. For details of the scheduled terms upcoming, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/red-hawk-central\/registrar\/add-drop\/\">add\/drop calendar<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/red-hawk-central\/registrar\">Registrar&#8217;s website<\/a>. For administrative deadlines for students, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/student-services\/important-dates\/\">Important Dates<\/a>. For a religious observance calendar and policy information, please visit the Religion Department&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/religion\/multifaith-religious-observances-calendar\/\">Multifaith Religious Observances Calendar<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Full Term Calendar (14 weeks)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Beginning Spring 2025, a<strong>\u00a0regular full term &#8220;Session A&#8221;<\/strong> course is <strong>14 weeks<\/strong> in length. Due to holidays and other irregularities, to reach 14 full weeks for classes regardless of what days classes are held, the calendar runs for 15 calendar weeks &#8212; for example, from<strong> January 16, 2026 (a Friday running on a Monday schedule) to May 4, 2026 (a Monday running on a Friday schedule)<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Half Term (7 weeks) and 4-week Calendars<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In addition to regular full terms, the University now also offers<strong> 7-week half terms: &#8220;Session B&#8221; (first half term) and &#8220;Session C&#8221; (second half term),\u00a0<\/strong>along with<strong> 4-week sessions<\/strong> starting Summer 2025 (Sessions D, E, &amp; F) .<\/p>\n<h3>Spring 2026 Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Friday, January 16:\n<ul>\n<li>First Day of Session A (full 14-week term) \u2013 <em>Classes meet on a Monday schedule<\/em><\/li>\n<li>First Day of Session B (first half \/ 7-week term) \u2013 <em>Classes meet on a Monday schedule<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Monday, January 9: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No classes)<\/li>\n<li>Friday, March 6: Last Day of Session B (first half \/ 7-week term)<\/li>\n<li>Saturday, March 7 \u2013 Sunday, March 15: Spring Break (No classes)<\/li>\n<li>Monday, March 16: First Day of Session C (second half \/ 7-week term)<\/li>\n<li>Friday, April 3: Good Friday (No classes)<\/li>\n<li>Monday, May 4:\n<ul>\n<li>Last day of Session A (full 14-week term) \u2013 <em>Classes meet on a Friday schedule<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Last day of Session C (second half \/ 7-week term)\u00a0\u2013 <em>Classes meet on a Friday schedule<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/red-hawk-central\/how-to-guides\/faqs-for-final-grade-submission\/\">Submitting Final Grades: FAQs<\/a> (including deadlines)<\/p>\n<h3>Weekly Schedule Templates<\/h3>\n<p>Self-enroll in <a href=\"https:\/\/montclair.instructure.com\/enroll\/H7HKC9\">OFE&#8217;s Sample Course Material Canvas course<\/a> to find weekly schedule templates to use for your courses. Or contact OFE at <a href=\"mailto:faculty@montclair.edu\">faculty@montclair.edu<\/a> to request a template. Use Rice University&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/wcaleb.rice.edu\/syllabusmaker\/generic\/\">Generic Syllabus Maker<\/a> to quickly populate your course schedule dates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adapting a previous 15-week or 8-week course to a 14 or 7-week schedule?<\/strong> Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/itds\/essentials\/shifting-your-course\/\">ITDS&#8217;s Shifting Your Course to 14 to 7 weeks<\/a> webpage for assistance.<\/p>\n<div class=\"prpl-drawer\"><div class=\"prpl-drawer-header\">Resources and References<\/div><div class=\"prpl-drawer-content\">\n<p>Fuentes, M. A., Zelaya, D. G., &amp; Madsen, J. W. (2021). <a href=\"https:\/\/ezproxy.montclair.edu\/login?url=https:\/\/search.ebscohost.com\/login.aspx?direct=true&amp;db=eric&amp;AN=EJ1278022&amp;site=eds-live&amp;scope=site\">Rethinking the Course Syllabus: Considerations for Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion<\/a>. <em>Teaching of Psychology, 48<\/em>(1), 69\u201379.<\/p>\n<p>Gurung, R. A. R., &amp; Galardi, N. R. (2022). Syllabus Tone, More Than Mental Health Statements, Influence Intentions to Seek Help. <em>Teaching of Psychology, 49<\/em>(3), 218\u2013223. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0098628321994632\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0098628321994632<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Harnish, R., &amp; Bridges, K. (2011). Effect of syllabus tone: students\u2019 perceptions of instructor and course. <em>Social Psychology of Education, 14<\/em>(3), 319\u2013330. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11218-011-9152-4\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11218-011-9152-4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Harnish, R. J., McElwee, R. O. B., Slattery, J. M., Frantz, S., Haney, M. R., Shore, C. M., &amp; Penley, J. (2011, January 11). Creating the foundation for a warm classroom climate. Association for Psychological Science. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologicalscience.org\/observer\/creating-the-foundation-for-a-warm-classroom-climate.\">https:\/\/www.psychologicalscience.org\/observer\/creating-the-foundation-for-a-warm-classroom-climate.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Saville, B. K., Zinn, T. E., Brown, A. R., &amp; Marchuk, K. A. (2010). Syllabus Detail and Students\u2019 Perceptions of Teacher Effectiveness. <em>Teaching of Psychology, 37<\/em>(3), 186\u2013189.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\"><p><em>Last Modified: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 2:57 pm<\/em><\/p> CC<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>For more information or help, please <a href=\"mailto:faculty@montclair.edu\">email<\/a> the Office for Faculty Excellence or <a href=\"https:\/\/montclair-faculty-excellence.libcal.com\/appointments\/\">make an appointment<\/a> with a consultant.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"license\" href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/195\/2022\/08\/CC.png\" alt=\"Creative Commons License\" width=\"80\" height=\"15\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nTeaching Resources by <a rel=\"cc:attributionURL\" href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/\">麻豆传媒在线 Office for Faculty Excellence<\/a> is licensed under a <a rel=\"license\" href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Third-party content is not covered under the Creative Commons license and may be subject to additional intellectual property notices, information, or restrictions. You are solely responsible for obtaining permission to use third party content or determining whether your use is fair use and for responding to any claims that may arise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons CC BY-NC-4.0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The most effective syllabi communicate essential information about the course and instructor, learning objectives, required materials, and assessments, and a link to a course calendar. Along with essential information, syllabi communicate teacher presence, attitude, and orientation toward students and student learning. Interestingly, whereas many faculty prefer the brief \u201cone-page\u201d syllabus of days gone by, Saville [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":327,"featured_media":8782,"parent":7474,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7505","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/327"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7505"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14811,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7505\/revisions\/14811"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7474"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/faculty-excellence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}