Lee Phelps

The syllabus can be a valuable tool when used correctly, it goes a long way to maintain structure and stability. Nothing better can establish course requirements and there is legitimacy in the writtten word.

Prairie Markussen

I think what the syllabus does is set up the expectations, requirements, and rules for all students, regardless of what kind of student they are. It's the students' first encounter with you, as the teacher, and that encounter should indicate that each student will be judged, graded, assessed in the same way. So, in a way, I suppose it's a way of equalizing the classroom up front. And I think having students read the syllabus, discuss it with the teacher, and then sign it in as a show of acknowledgement and agreement, will help any type of student--center-stage, inattentive, apple polishers--realize their role in the class; in other words, they have agreed to be an engaged contributor to class and the teacher should hold them to that. That being said, I also think when the teacher writes up the requirements of the course, it's a good idea to keep these different kinds of students in mind and perhaps frame the requirements in view of the differences. For example, if you know you might have inattentive students, then perhaps one of the requirements of the class is group work to invigorate the student. This is a really interesting thread topic, Kristi...and I will give it more thought.