Heritage>adjunct handbook table of contents>course outline/activity schedule

The Course Outline (activity or assignment schedule)

The course outline or activity schedule is an overview of class events and assignments.  Usually, the course outline would include the specific objectives or learner outcomes, the activities that the student will be involved in during the semester, the dates when assignments are due, and the grading criteria.  The "course outline" is how the course will be taught and is usually shows how the instructor is organizing the course. The course syllabus is somewhat different in that the syllabus is an agreed on and formally accepted overview of the course, e.g., objectives, grading criteria, and other information relating to state and national standards.  The syllabus is an official university document and can not be changed without appropriate review and approval. The syllabus is the official document that the instructor is responsible to follow and signed a contract to fulfill.

Typical sections of the course outline are:

Course description
Link or location the course syllabus
Instructor's name, phone, email, etc.
Learner outcomes
Assignment schedule
Textbooks and other required and recommended materials
Late assignments and make-up provisions
Use of technology (websites, sending assignments, projects, online forums, grade book, etc.)
Writing requirements (APA formatting, references, length of projects, criteria, templates, etc.)
Grading criteria (A, B, etc.)
Weather cancellation procedures (phone and cell numbers)
Accommodations for special conditions
Examples of written work, tests, etc.
 

An example of a syllabus, click here.
An example of a course outline or activity schedule, click here.

1/18/06