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GETTING STARTED
Preparing for the Semester

Create a Syllabus or Information Sheet

Sample Syllabi
Biology 1B,Tasha Teutsch Hausmann
Sociology 133, Joshua Page
Celtic Studies R1B, Kim Starr-Reid

Many GSIs distribute a section syllabus or information sheet. The section syllabus or information sheet is a document to which students and GSIs refer throughout the semester detailing important information related to section.

Make sure your section syllabus reflects the your own or the professor's course policies, and have your section syllabus or info sheet reviewed by the professor before distributing it.

Elements of a Section Syllabus

1. Description of Section or Lab

Many undergraduates have not had sections or labs prior to attending UC Berkeley. Sections and labs also vary from course to course and sometimes within courses. It is important, therefore, to describe briefly in the syllabus the purpose of the section, the relationship of section to lecture, and the role of the GSI. The descriptive paragraph may give students an idea of the types of activities that will occur in section — question and answer, review of material, group discussion, homework, debates, film reviews, etc.

2. Contact Information

The syllabus should list the GSI's office number, office telephone number, office hours, and e-mail address. GSIs may consider including the professor's office number and office hours. We recommend that GSIs not provide students with their home or cell phone numbers.

3. Grade Breakdown

The syllabus should include an explanation of how the overall grade for the course is calculated. It should also include a breakdown of the grade for section (percentages for attendance, assignments, participation, etc.). Both the GSI and the students should have a clear understanding of how the students' performance in section will be evaluated and how each element of the section grade will be weighed. Make sure to clear the policies you set with the faculty member in charge of the course.

4. Policies

GSIs can minimize conflicts and misunderstandings with students by establishing and communicating clear policies the first day of section and repeating those policies throughout the semester. We recommend articulating key policies and expectations on the syllabus so that students have them in writing. Here are some policies GSIs should consider including on the syllabus:

Office Hours: GSIs often require students to attend office hours at least once during the first few weeks of the semester. This meeting has several purposes:

  • To talk individually with students and get to know them.
  • To inquire about the students' preparedness for the course and understanding of the material.
  • To provide feedback to students about their early performance in the course.
  • To obtain feedback from students about section.

E-mail: Many GSIs have policies regarding e-mail communication with students so that they can manage the time they commit to teaching. A few policies about e-mail might include:

  • Answer student questions about similar topics in bunches (rather than answering each individual question).
  • Answer e-mail at particular times of day or night, rather than every time you receive an e-mail from students.
  • Inform students that the you will answer questions about course material in section.
  • Helps students have reasonable expectations about your availibility via email (for example, "e-mail messages will be answered within 48 hours").

Attendance and Tardiness: GSIs should note on the syllabus if they will deduct points for absences and / or lateness. GSIs should also define "absence" (e.g., excused vs. non-excused absences) and "lateness" (e.g., more than five minutes after class starts).

Late Assignments: GSIs should consider including a policy about late assignments. Many GSIs deduct points for late assignments, and some do not accept late assignments. Be sure that your policy on late assignments has the approval of the faculty member you are teaching with.

Grade Disputes: Let students know in writing what your policy is for grade disputes. Consider requiring students to write out clearly each item on tests or papers they wish to dispute. Have the students submit their dispute prior to meeting with you, so that you can review the dispute and consider its merits. You can avoid spurious grade disputes by telling students that you may lower as well as raise disputed grades.

Laptops: You may want to outline your policies on student laptops. Do you want to allow students to use laptops for notetaking or for internet research during the class, or do you feel laptops would be more a distraction than an educational aid for the type of class you are conducting?

Important class and campus policies: Every syllabus should include statements about academic honesty and accommodations for students with disabilities.

5. Key Dates

Listing key dates and deadlines on paper allows you and your students to refer to them throughout the semester. Include dates of review sessions, paper deadlines, exams, class presentations, final exam, etc.

6. Guidelines for Discussion

GSIs often include on their syllabus a statement that encourages students to respect each other and the GSI when they speak in class. The statement also encourages students to address speakers' statements and ideas rather than the speakers themselves. In other words, students and GSIs are welcome to criticize ideas, but they are not welcome to verbally attack each other or the GSI. This statement on discussion shows students that you are serious about developing and maintaining a supportive classroom environment in which students can engage in serious, meaningful discussions without fear of reprisal.

Many GSIs establish guidelines (or "ground rules") for discussion with students during either the first or second class meeting.

7. Campus Resources

It is a good idea to include on the syllabus information about campus resources to which GSIs might refer students. Such information might include Web addresses, phone numbers, office locations, and a brief description of the services available. A few invaluable resources include:

 

 

 

 

 

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