Elements of an Effective Course Outline

Distribution

Most university calendars provide explicit deadlines for when course outlines need to be distributed, but the general rule is that they should be ready for, and distributed in, the first class. Students need the information in the course outline to allow them to make timely and informed decisions about registration, add/drop, and the allocation of their time during the semester. Where possible, one should post or otherwise make available course outlines prior to the beginning of the course.

(Naturally, the course outline also has to be available to all students who join the class at a later date. In practical terms, this means carrying stacks of extra outlines with you for the next two or three classes; after that, new students can follow you back to your office, or come in during office hours to pick up their copy, or request a copy be brought to them in the following class.)

Where the instructor wishes the students to have input into the course design, the abbreviated outline distributed during the first class should so indicate, and a final outline should be provided soon after, usually by the end of the second week of classes.

If the course design incorporates contract learning, students may be given time to finalize the details of the course contract, but contracts should be submitted and approved (or rejected) prior to the deadline for withdrawal from the course.

For on-line courses or other circumstances in which the class does not physically meet in person, the course outline should be made available on-line at least one week prior to the scheduled start date of the course and kept posted throughout the course and during the Grade Appeal Period following the end of a semester.

Course outlines should be stapled and three-hole punched -- students are less likely to loose an outline they can immediately incorporate into their binders.

Where possible, course outlines should also be made available on-line for easy reference and downloading.