WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE FIRST DAY(S) OF CLASS:

STUDENT GUIDE TO THE SYLLABUS

Dr. Paula Clarke and Professor Ted Hamilton

Listed below are those issues that will be reviewed on the first day/week of class. These can serve as an outline for student note-taking and a preparation for the ‘course contract’ (to be discussed during the first week). This general outline applies to all or our courses.

1. The Course: Course focus, Required, Suggested, and Recommended Reading, Reading Skills (reading meaning(s) and reading words), General Course Outline, Examinations, Course Goals and Objectives, Course Opportunities.

2. Logistics: Instructors’ Office, Phone, Office Hours, etc.

3. Expectations of Students: Foundations for Learning, Materials and Tools, Time Investment Inside and Outside Class, Institutional Student Responsibilities.

4. What Students May Expect from the Instructor: Availability, coherence, consistency, flexibility, focus.

5. Performance Requirements and Evaluation Criteria: Syllabus as Contract, Exam Procedure, Grading Criteria, Grading Opportunities, Function of Readings and other Class Materials, Notes and Outlines in Sustaining Student Grade, Late Exam and Make-Up Policy.

6. Significance of Course Opportunities: Contrast with four-year colleges and universities. Contrast with K-12.

7. Reading and Reading Schedule: Essential skills for effective reading. Hints for creating a reading schedule.

8. Assignments and Assignment Due Dates: Assignments as opportunities for the cultivation and refinement of college level skills and the habits of mind requisite in a complex world.

9. The Contract: Why a contract? What should be included?

10. Name(s), phone, and e-mail classmate(s).

11. Instructor Assumptions: Assume students are adults and assume participation is voluntary.

As is always the case in all of our courses, students are urged to ask questions about any/or all of these issues.