The Inclusive Educator Workshop Series
Dr. Cynthia Ragle, Dean of SSPAC
Dr. Sarah Alderfer, Professor of English, Dept. Chair
Professor Jamie Singleton, English
Session Three:
Formatting and Organizing Your Syllabus
Student-centered Syllabus
A student-centered syllabus makes a great first impression on your students by communicating your teaching philosophy.
A student-centered syllabus includes the following elements:
Source: An Equity Syllabus: https://sites.google.com/view/anequitysyllabus/cultural-inclusivity
Balance Policies and Care
Instead of "Mandatory," begin with, "Plan to succeed"
Instead of "Dropped from the course"..., begin with "I will check in on you if you forget to participate."
Instead of "Rigorous exceptions", begin with, “You really want to look out for X, and here’s a strategy so that it doesn’t happen.”
Instead of "Requirements," begin with, "Tips for success"
Instead of "No Excuses," begin with, "Search for solutions and communicate with me"
Instead of "Your Responsibility," begin with "Confusion is normal. Contact me."
Source: An Equity Syllabus: https://sites.google.com/view/anequitysyllabus/cultural-inclusivity
If I were a student, how would I experience my syllabus?
Equity Rubric for Student Success
Equity Rubric - Developed by the Student Success and
Equity Committee at Hartnell College.
Elements examine dimensions for equity minded teaching
and learning. They are: Be Intrusive, Be Relational,
Culturally Relevant and Affirming, Community Focused.
Be Race Conscious.
Switching to a Visual Syllabus
Why Change to a Visual Syllabus?
Leeward College Visual Syllabus Template
Via Google Drive
Converting Simple Syllabus
into a Visual Syllabus
Use Tables
Change Background Color and Insert Images
Create and Upload Images
Click on image above
Adding a “Liquid Syllabus”
What is a Liquid Syllabus?
A Liquid Syllabus is an accessible, public website that incorporates a brief, friendly welcome video and course information written in welcoming, student-centered language (Pacansky-Brock et al, 2020; Pacansky-Brock, 2017, 2014).
When used in conjunction with culturally responsive teaching pedagogy, the Liquid Syllabus contributes to creating a more equitable learning environment for all students.
Why a Liquid Syllabus?
Pacansky-Brock, M., Smedshammer, M., & Vincent-Layton, K. (2020). Humanizing Online Teaching to Equitize Higher Education. Current Issues in Education, 21(2).
Pre-Course Email (aka Welcome Package)
I just want to welcome you to our ENGL 010 - Introduction to College Reading and Writing II course. I'm looking forward to getting to know you this fall! The Blackboard course is open now.
This welcome package contains some information to get you off on the right foot as we get ready to begin on Monday.
1. View my Welcome Package. This page contains lots of helpful information and may answer some questions you have about the course.
2. Textbook: There is only one textbook required for the course. You will need the Mosaics: Reading and Writing Essays, MLA Update (Seventh Edition) textbook. More information about this textbook is located in the Welcome Package.
3. Please sign up for my text message list. This is the easiest and quickest form of communication we can use this semester. You can register your cell phone number for the list with the appropriate link below. I'll be sending out a welcome text message on Monday or Tuesday to test the list.
If you have any questions after sorting through this information, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help. I will do my best to make this a great semester - we'll get through this together!
Components of Liquid Syllabus
A homepage that contains:
Components of Liquid Syllabus
Additional pages that may include:
Samples of Liquid Syllabi
Mexican American Experience Fabiola Torres, Glendale College
Spanish 101 Bryson Adams, Modesto Junior College
English 100 Kolleen Kalt, Cerritos College
Legal Aspects of Real Estate Arnita Porter, West LA College
Critical Thinking Amber Katherine, Santa Monica College
Introduction to Sociology Robert Wonser, College of the Canyons
Introduction to Linguistics Jamie A. Thomas, Santa Monica College
Women in American History Mieke Lisuk, Sierra College
Introduction to Programming Brent Wedge, Modesto Junior College
Career & College Success Queen Peterson, Fullerton College
More Samples of Liquid Syllabi
Calculus Sarah Williams, Foothill College
Introduction to Microeconomic Theory Fahmida Fakhruddin, Evergreen Valley College
Math for Life Serena Mercado, MiraCosta College
Argumentative Writing & Critical Thinking Becky Rudd, Citrus College
Quality Online Teaching & Learning Work Group Allison Hughes, Cañada College
ESL 79 Dayamudra Dennehy, San Francisco City College
Nutrition and Science Application Cheryl Davis, Diablo Valley College
History of Still Photography Michelle Pacansky-Brock, Mt. San Jacinto College
More Tips for Formatting and Organizing Your Syllabus
Here are a few resources that you can use following the workshop.
January Professional Development Week
Spring Workshop Series Ideas?