Supporting Student Success Through Inclusive Syllabus Design

• A follow-up asynchronous micro-course 
• November 5 – 12, 2021 (cohort) or on-demand 
• Facilitator: Caitlin Keller, Senior Instructional Designer, ATC; Affiliate, Morgan Teaching and Learning Center 

Typically, the primary goal of a syllabus is to communicate information about the course to the enrolled students. It often serves as the first impression students form about a course and their instructor. Many instructors comment that students do not read the syllabus and miss crucial information. This micro-course will explore small changes we can make to our syllabus to help foster stronger communication and connection with students. Topics covered include defining the purpose of office hours and other course supports, using positive vs. punitive language, and evaluating course materials and policies from a culturally responsive and inclusive perspective. 

This micro-course is asynchronous online via Canvas over the course of a week. Content is broken down into short modules with productive tasks to help you take the concepts and incorporate them into your own syllabus. Participants should expect to spend approximately 20-30 minutes per day on the micro-course including the tasks. To participate, contact Caitlin Keller. 

As a follow-up to your participation, the Morgan Center can also help you communicate the micro-course within your teaching portfolio to highlight the changes you are making to improve your teaching practices.