2. What Is a Syllabus?
Syllabus is a guideline for the instruction of a subject.
It is based on subject standards.
3. Course Outline
Course outline is a blueprint for the implementation
of a subject/course. It is a bridge between the
instructor and students. It covers the overview of a
subject, specific contents, pedagogies and assessment
methods.
4. Relationship between the Two
Two dominant views:
There is no difference between the two
They must be differentiated as they differ conceptually
and procedurally (I subscribe to this approach)
5. Comparison of Syllabus and Course Outline
Syllabus Course Outline
It is a guideline
It is universal
It is about proposed
contents
It is static
It is constant for all
instructors
It is a determiner of course
outline
It is specific by nature
It is both universal and
contextual
It is about contents,
pedagogy and assessment
It is dynamic
It is a creative outcome of
an instructor/area thinking
It is affected by several
factors besides syllabus
6. Role of Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are the fulcrum of any course.
Everything in a course revolves around them.
Success of a course hinges on the achievement of
learning outcomes.
Learning outcomes of a course have to relate with the
learning outcomes of a programme.
Learning outcomes at Jaipuria are developed , using
RBT.
8. Approaches to Course Design
Use a theoretical framework
Divide a course into modules on thematic basis
Content driven design
Less knowledge, more thinking based design
Hybrid approach
9. Typical Problems with Course Design
Lack of alignment among learning outcomes,
contents and assessment
Incoherent and scattered contents
Highly information driven course
Poor overview of the course
Mismatch between coverage and instructional
methods
Disconnect between learning outcomes and
assessment
Course outline inconsistent with course design policy