We’ve all heard the sigh: “It’s in the syllabus!” But if your course document reads more like a 10-page terms-and-conditions agreement than an invitation to learn, it might be time for a tune-up.
Whether you’re building your very first syllabus as a TA or refreshing one you’ve taught with for a decade, join us for a fast-paced, 60-minute makeover. We’ll show you how to turn a dry, policy-heavy document into an engaging, accessible, and friendly roadmap—without burning yourself out or sacrificing required campus policies.
In one hour, we will tackle:
- Ditching the Legalistic Vibe: Swap cold, punitive policy language for a supportive, welcoming tone that sets expectations and builds rapport from Day 1.
- Protecting Your Sanity: Draft clear, boundary-setting policies for emails, late work, and grading that keep your inbox manageable all semester.
- The Policy Stuff: Learn what is mandatory institutional text vs recommended and explore ways to include this info without hijacking your course intro.
- A Quick Formatting Review: Simple, accessible formatting tricks to make your syllabus easy to scan, read, and navigate on any device.
Wednesday, August 25th | 9:00-10:00am | Fernald Hall 102
