[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F0F0F0″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” min_height=”236px” custom_margin=”0px||-2px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”20px|5px|0px|5px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”278px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|auto||” custom_padding=”||50px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”180px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
A course outline or syllabus is your guide to a course. Your professor will provide it to you on or before the first day of class. This post includes some of the most common elements of a course outline or syllabus.<\/p>\n
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Book an appointment<\/strong> <\/a>with an academic skills advisor at the Academic Skills Centre.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”|0px|15px|0px|false|false” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”Reading the course syllabus” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]A course syllabus can answer the following questions: [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”What are the required items and readings?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”whatare” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Many courses have a\u00a0textbook. Instructors often include a series of\u00a0required readings, with information that helps you find them, or information about visual or\u00a0other materials\u00a0you need. These may be items such as calculators, clickers or computer software.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”What will I learn in the course?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”whatwill” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Most outlines have a brief\u00a0overview of the course content and often include the\u00a0learning outcomes\u00a0of the course, concepts and skills the course helps you to engage with. The\u00a0course schedule is where you will find what happens and when.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”What are the course policies and regulations?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”whatare2″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Policies and regulations ensure the classroom environment works well for everyone. These include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”How will I be graded?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”how” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The assignments and other methods of being graded for your work will be listed in the course syllabus. There may be many ways your professor can evaluate your performance in the course.<\/p>\n There are also many different types of work that that can be graded, depending on the course and type of discipline it represents: e.g., attendance, participation, journals, individual or group assignments, tests and exams, live presentations, performances, fieldwork, written short reflections, exhibition projects, research essays, interview work, lab work, you name it!<\/p>\n Pay particular attention to expectations if you are taking\u00a0a course in a discipline that is new to you: Theatre, Electrical Engineering or Commerce courses will have very different requirements and ways to assess you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”When are the due dates for my assignments?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”when” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Make sure you\u00a0know\u00a0when\u00a0the due dates are.\u00a0Some dates are strict, while some may be flexible. You can use all this information to\u00a0plan your time.<\/p>\n Tip: Using a planner or calendar at the beginning of the term to track all important deadlines will help you stay on track and lessen anxieties in trying to remember it all! Learn more on UVicLearn with the article Backwards planning for time management.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Is the online course synchronous or asynchronous?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”is” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]If you are taking an online course, it may be: Synchronous (live, real-time); or Asynchronous (flexible time-frame). In practice, many courses have\u00a0synchronous and asynchronous\u00a0elements.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”What about additional supports and resources?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”whatabout” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A syllabus will also have an additional set of resources and supports that are available to you. There may be links, but also standard statements about the importance of some of these areas, such as:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_module=”254169″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row module_id=”book” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F5AA1C” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_cta title=”To learn more about this topic and to get help” button_url=”https:\/\/uvic.mywconline.com\/” button_text=”Book an appointment” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#002754″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#005493″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Book a free<\/strong> in-person or online appointment with an academic skills advisor at the Academic Skills Centre!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This post includes some of the most common elements of a course outline or syllabus and can be used as a tool to understand how to read it and be prepared to excel in your course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10309,"featured_media":52794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[114,103,111,144],"class_list":["post-251596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-getting-started","tag-academic-integrity","tag-first-year","tag-reading","tag-syllabus"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-8px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”16px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”Where is my instructor’s contact information?” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”25px” content_max_width=”1100px” module_id=”where” _builder_version=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”|10px|0px|10px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-19px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px||15px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]You can find the\u00a0name of your instructor, their\u00a0contact information, and their office hours. Office hours\u00a0are times when you can meet with your instructor to ask questions. These might be online or in person depending on the course.<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
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