{"id":4581,"date":"2026-08-04T17:45:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/?post_type=furman-update&#038;p=4581"},"modified":"2026-08-05T20:38:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T20:38:14","slug":"4581","status":"publish","type":"furman-update","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/updates\/4581\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Back &#8211; Syllabus Update!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4582 alignright lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-768x558.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"336\" height=\"244\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-768x558.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-1024x743.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-1536x1115.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-512x372.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image-1280x929.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/108\/2026\/08\/SyllabusTemplate-Image.jpg 1628w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 336px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 336\/244;\" \/>If you <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are like many\u00a0folks\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0chatted with over the last few weeks, you may be navigating competing impulses: savoring\u00a0he\u00a0remainder\u00a0of precious summertime, while also getting energized by the beginning of the fall semester.\u00a0We\u2019ve\u00a0assembled 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:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Big reveal!\u00a0\u00a0We heard your feedback about the syllabus templates documents (too long!\u00a0\u00a0too dense!)\u00a0 and have updated them for this fall. Take a gander and share your\u00a0thoughts on\u00a0our\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.box.com\/s\/vxt5s2ksyw41f1ue06u5klkj6mwpm5cb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">general syllabus<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.box.com\/s\/qgnmoi3rxvrvu71pl12mztnm6p9q5tp0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">fall 2026 course schedule<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0templates.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you can, avoid scheduling high-stakes evaluations for the day prior to a holiday or break.\u00a0\u00a0Not only will your students thank you,\u00a0your own time away may\u00a0be more enjoyable without a large stack of grading.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learning outcome refresh: Make your expectations concrete in the syllabus now\u00a0to\u00a0 improve\u00a0student learning for all later in the semester. Consider a \u201cverb audit\u201d in your course goals or\u00a0objectives\u00a0by swapping out nebulous words like \u201cknow\u201d for more concrete behavioral learning indicators like \u201cassess,\u201d \u201corder,\u201d \u201cidentify,\u201d or \u201creproduce.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/davenport.libguides.com\/learningoutcomes\/action_verbs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bloom\u2019s Taxonomy-based Action Verbs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0gives helpful inspiration for word choice.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0As you develop your syllabus, plan now for mid-term,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/programs-grants\/small-group-instructional-feedback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Small Group Instructional Feedback<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(SGIF), or peer observations.\u00a0 To sign up, please complete an online\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/furman.az1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_6swEpK56yqwvuSh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">collaboration request form<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to work with FDC staff or peer coaches this semester.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you would like to spruce up your first day approaches to enhance student engagement,\u00a0peruse\u00a0this comprehensive<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resources.depaul.edu\/teaching-commons\/teaching-guides\/learning-activities\/Pages\/the-first-day.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">DePauw University \u201cThe First Day of Class\u201d<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0guide.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, mark your calendars and join the FDC for any of our upcoming Fall Professional Development programs. For more details, visit our website<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">events page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">We have\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW188617161 BCX0\">new<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">\u00a0FDC sticker swag (including \u201cPedagogy is my Jam\u201d stickers like the one pictured above) to share with event participants. This\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">year\u2019s programs<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">\u00a0and events are organized around the theme \u201cGuided by\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW188617161 BCX0\">Growth\u201d(<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">there may be plants!); unless otherwise\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">indicated<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW188617161 BCX0\">, all faculty and academic staff are welcome to join us!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you are like many\u00a0folks\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0chatted with over the last few weeks, you may be navigating competing impulses: savoring\u00a0he\u00a0remainder\u00a0of precious summertime, while also getting energized by the beginning of the fall [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","update-categories":[],"class_list":["post-4581","furman-update","type-furman-update","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/4581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/furman-update"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/4581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4597,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/updates\/4581\/revisions\/4597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"furman-update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/faculty-development-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-categories?post=4581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}