Welcome Back – Syllabus Update!

If you are like many folks we’ve chatted with over the last few weeks, you may be navigating competing impulses: savoring he remainder of precious summertime, while also getting energized by the beginning of the fall semester. We’ve assembled some just-in time resources below to try to help make your transition from summer to fall as seamless as possible, including an updated syllabus template, scheduling pro-tips, and an invitation to build in time for mid-semester feedback: 

• Big reveal!  We heard your feedback about the syllabus templates documents (too long!  too dense!)  and have updated them for this fall. Take a gander and share your thoughts on our  general syllabus and fall 2026 course schedule templates. 
• As you plan out your course schedule, consider these pro-tips collected from Furman faculty and academic staff during our many Course Redesign (CRD) workshops: 
  • If you can, avoid scheduling high-stakes evaluations for the day prior to a holiday or break.  Not only will your students thank you, your own time away may be more enjoyable without a large stack of grading. 
  • Learning outcome refresh: Make your expectations concrete in the syllabus now to  improve student learning for all later in the semester. Consider a “verb audit” in your course goals or objectives by swapping out nebulous words like “know” for more concrete behavioral learning indicators like “assess,” “order,” “identify,” or “reproduce.”  Bloom’s Taxonomy-based Action Verbs gives helpful inspiration for word choice.  
  •  As you develop your syllabus, plan now for mid-term, Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF), or peer observations.  To sign up, please complete an online collaboration request form to work with FDC staff or peer coaches this semester. 
• If you would like to spruce up your first day approaches to enhance student engagement, peruse this comprehensive DePauw University “The First Day of Class” guide.     

Finally, mark your calendars and join the FDC for any of our upcoming Fall Professional Development programs. For more details, visit our website events page. We have new FDC sticker swag (including “Pedagogy is my Jam” stickers like the one pictured above) to share with event participants. This year’s programs and events are organized around the theme “Guided by Growth”(there may be plants!); unless otherwise indicated, all faculty and academic staff are welcome to join us!