Designing a Syllabus

While there are many resources available on how to build a syllabus, some central points to consider incorporating are:

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy is an educational framework first developed in the 1950s. The taxonomy outlines a trajectory for learning development using action words (verbs) for objects or outcomes in learning (nouns) (i.e. what you learn and how you learn it). Consider mapping your course to ensure assignments connect to learning objects, starting with “lower order” to “higher order” skills.

For each learning objective identified in the course, correlate an assignment with a brief statement on the purpose of the assignment as it relates to the learning objectives. Below is an example using a sexuality research methods course; the taxonomy categories are identified in bold italics.

Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy

Scaffolding

Because students enter most courses with varying skill sets, scaffolding is a strategy that helps students build on existing skills and knowledge through staged learning. Scaffolding can include both instructor and peer support and feedback, often incorporating revision into the structure of assignments and class activities. Examples of traditional scaffolding include:

• breaking down assignments into smaller steps where feedback is offered throughout the assignment process rather than only upon final submission;
• building group or peer learning assignments where more advanced students help those who are less advanced; or
• developing different assignments that build on each other (e.g. a bibliography becomes the basis for an annotated bibliography, which is then used to develop a paper outline before writing the final paper).

However, Eva Boodman (2019) cautions that traditional scaffolding can reinforce rather than transform underlying structural racism and classism that underpins attempts to support academically underrepresented groups when this is done under the assumption that “stronger” students are those who possess traditional academic skills (30). Scaffolding can thus be an effective pedagogical tool but is also at risk of reinforcing a hierarchical view of knowledge acquisition in an educational context. To address this risk, Boodman proposes a model of radical scaffolding, which “de-hierarchizes the distribution of ‘skills’ in the class so that students are aware of the choices they have when they write in an institutional context” (31) by using “transparent, step-by-step, non-punitive skill-building“ in assignment design (32).

In this way, Boodman’s model of “radical scaffolding takes structural factors into account by accommodating a range of possible learning goals students may have, which include survival, passing, emotional expression and exploration, political activity on or off campus, and intellectual engagement for its own sake” (32).

If you are interested in incorporating or updating models of scaffolding into your courses, think of the following questions to help you with both assignment and course design:

• What goal are you hoping students will take away from your course or this assignment?
• How can you break down class assignments and activities into parts that build towards this goal?
• What skills would help students complete these assignments and activities, and how can you incorporate skill-building into your course design (e.g., writing workshops or training modules)?
• What structural barriers or underlying assumptions might impact different students’ abilities to complete these assignments (e.g., work schedules that conflict with completing work outside of class time, devaluation of non-academic writing skills, and course materials that might have an alienating effect on underrepresented and historically excluded students)?
• How can you incorporate options and choices into the structure of your assignments to recognize a wider array of existing skill sets among your students?

How can you incorporate non-punitive forms of learning, exploring, and experimentation into your assignments to encourage skill building over skill mastery?

Gender-Neutral and Accessible Washrooms on Campus

Find the closest gender-neutral and accessible washroom to your classroom and include this on the syllabus (note that some washrooms may not be accessible in the evenings or on weekends.) Consider walking slowly from your classroom to this washroom and back, adding 5 minutes to your time, to estimate the time it might take a student to use this washroom. If this takes longer than the typical scheduled break time, offer accommodations for scheduled breaks and late entries/returns in your class.

Some single-user washrooms are only accessible with special security access, such as a staff member or a security escort or gaining access to a special key. Note in the syllabus if this is the case for the nearest accessible and gender-neutral washrooms.

Asking students to request accommodation for bathroom use can force “a Trans student to out themselves to staff” (Center for Gender Advocacy Mapping Project, 2020); therefore, it is preferable to use an open policy for the whole class around late entry/return if accessible and gender-neutral washrooms are not close by and fully accessible to students.

Workload Estimator

Depending on your institution, the average student is taking 4-5 classes per term, and at many institutions, full-time students also work part-time while in school. Students accessing loans and bursaries are often required to be full-time students, and these funds are usually inadequate on their own to cover the average cost of living for students. In programs that include mature students, students with children, and/or students who face financial barriers to accessing affordable housing, food, and transportation, finding time to complete coursework outside of class time can be a barrier to their education. Rising inflation rates combined with low salaries mean that students today often carry heavier financial responsibilities than previous generations.

We should assume that students are juggling multiple responsibilities and demands on their time and focus. If most courses assign approximately 10 hours of course material each week (including class time), then students face 40-50 hours/week of coursework. Adjusting your course to offset the competing responsibilities students are juggling can make your class more accessible and inclusive.

Active Participation

Active participation is not about quantity but the quality of each contribution to shared learning. Forms of active participation include:

• Attending class regularly (i.e. as many classes as you can attend) and having completed all the readings.
• Coming to class prepared to discuss the readings by bringing notes and/or marked-up copies of your readings.
• Connecting your contributions to class discussion by referencing the readings.
• Drawing class attention to the content of the readings and objects we examine.
• Offering insight and analysis using the texts we’ve read together on the topics and objects being discussed.
• Staying focused on discussion and trying to avoid looking at your phone, social media, email, texting, chat, web browsing, etc.
• Participating in discussion to the best of your ability in a way that fosters peer participation.

Resources