How do I create a multi-part syllabus in the Syllabus tool?

You can create a multi-part syllabus by adding one syllabus item at a time, or by bulk adding several items at once. If you like to organize your syllabus by weeks or class meetings, this is good option to use. There are several benefits to having a multi-part syllabus:

  • You can edit/update the content online.
  • Students can view the syllabus without having to download the file or have specific software to view it.
  • You can easily reorder or remove individual items in the syllabus.
  • An expandable/collapsable menu is created automatically for all of your syllabus items.  
  • You have the option to include start/end dates for each syllabus item, so that they can be progressively released throughout the term.
  • If you include dates for your items, these dates can automatically be copied to the calendar for you.

Go to the Syllabus tool.

Go to the Syllabus tool.

First, select the Syllabus tool in the Tool Menu of your course.

Click Create/Edit.

Click Create/Edit.

Upon first accessing the Syllabus tool, it will be empty.  Click the Create/Edit button.

To add items individually, click Add.

To add items individually, click Add.

Click the Add button.

Enter item content and Post.

Enter item content and Post.
  1. A title is required for each item.  Enter something that describes the information you plan to display in that section.  For this example, we will enter Instructor Information.
  2. Type your information into the rich text editor content area.  You may also cut and paste existing text into this area if desired. (To copy, use CTRL+C for Windows or Command+C for Mac.  To paste, use CTRL+V for Windows or Command+V for Mac.)
  3. You may also (optionally) enter start/end dates for this section and copy the dates to the calendar if you choose.  However, be aware that entering start or end dates here will NOT restrict the visibility of the item for students.
  4. Click Post when finished with this section to save your content and settings.

Adding several items at once.  

Adding several items at once.

One you post your syllabus item, you will be returned to the Syllabus item listing.  You may continue adding sections individually, or you may use the Bulk Add button to add several items at once.

In the example above, we have individually added several items common to most syllabi.  Next, we would like to add multiple items for each week of the course.

Click Bulk Add to add multiple items.

Create multiple items by number of items.

Create multiple items by number of items.

Let's say your course covers 5 units, and you would like to post a syllabus item for each one to detail that unit's activities.

  1. Enter the title that each item should start with, in this case "Unit".
  2. Enter the number of items needed, in this case, "5".
  3. Click Post to post your syllabus items.

Edit items to add content for each.

Edit items to add content for each.

Click on the Edit Details link below each item to add content to that item.

Enter item content and Post.

Enter item content and Post.
  1. Note that the title "Unit - 1", has already been specified. You may edit the title here if you need to make changes.
  2. Enter your content for Unit - 1 into the rich text editor content area.  You may also cut and paste existing text into this area if desired. (To copy, use CTRL+C for Windows or Command+C for Mac.  To paste, use CTRL+V for Windows or Command+V for Mac.)
  3. Click Post when finished with this section to save your content and settings.  

(Repeat this process for the remaining units in the Syllabus.)

Create multiple items by dates.

Create multiple items by dates.

Let's say you like to organize your course by weeks, and you would like to post a syllabus item for each week to detail that week's activities.

  1. Enter the title that each item should start with, in this case Week.
  2. Enter the start and end dates of the academic term.  This will be the range of weeks to be included in your syllabus.  You may enter a start date into the text box directly, or use the date-picker icon to the right to select a date from the pop-up calendar.  Notice that you can use the slider bars on the pop-up start time window to change the time of day from 8:00 AM (the default) to 12:00 AM or another time of your choosing.  
  3. To copy your dates to the calendar, be sure to check Display dates on calendar box just below the dates.  
  4. If you like to begin your week on Monday, select the box for Monday in the Class meeting days list.  (You must select at least one day of the week as the start day for each week.)
  5. Click Post to post your syllabus items.

Tip:  If you prefer to organize your syllabus by individual class sessions, you may indicate the days your class meets during the week, for example Mon.-Wed.-Fri. or Tues.-Thurs.  Doing this will create an individual syllabus item for each class session rather than each week.

Edit items to add content for each.

Edit items to add content for each.

When you return to the Syllabus Items screen you will see that individual items have been created for each week of the term.  Newly added bulk items will not be posted by default.  This allows you to add content to the item before it is released to students.

Click on the Edit Details link below each item to add content to that item.

Enter item content and Post.

Enter item content and Post.
  1. Notice that the item title has already been specified. If you need to make a change, you may do so here.
  2. Type your content for Week - 1 into the rich text editor content area.  You may also cut and paste existing text into this area if desired. (To copy, use CTRL+C for Windows or Command+C for Mac.  To paste, use CTRL+V for Windows or Command+V for Mac.)
  3. Notice that the start date and the display on calendar option have already been entered.  If you need to make a change to an individual week, you may do so here.  However, keep in mind that individual changes will not affect the dates for other weeks.
  4. Click Post when finished with this section to save your content and settings.  

(Repeat this process for the remaining weeks in the Syllabus.)

Tip:  For Syllabi with multiple items, we recommend not entering an end date.  If you enter an end date for a syllabus item, it will create a "deadline" event on the calendar which appears as if something is due.  If you don't have something due every week, or if you prefer to show individual due dates for assignments, quizzes, etc. on the calendar, you should leave the end date blank.  This will avoid cluttering up your calendar.

Rearranging Syllabus items.

Rearranging Syllabus items.

If you need to change the order of the items in your Syllabus, use the up and down arrows next to each item to move it up or down.

Make sure to scroll down to the bottom and click on the Update button to save your change!

Hiding Syllabus items.

Hiding Syllabus items.

To hide syllabus items, de-select the Post box for the item/s to be hidden.  Un-posted items are not visible to students.

Deleting Syllabus items.

Deleting Syllabus items.

To delete items, select the Remove box for the item/s to be deleted.

Note: Deleted items are permanently removed from the course.  There is no undo option to retrieve deleted syllabus items.

Updating syllabus changes.

Updating syllabus changes.

If you have made any changes to the order or dates on this screen, or if you selected any items for removal, make sure to scroll down to the bottom and click on the Update button to save your changes!

Confirm your changes.

Confirm your changes.

You will see a summary of any changes to the syllabus items.  Click Update once more to confirm your changes.

Viewing your Syllabus.

Viewing your Syllabus.

Once your multi-part syllabus is posted, users may click on any item in the menu to expand and view that item.

Printing your Syllabus.

Printing your Syllabus.

Users may print a copy of the complete Syllabus by clicking on the Print icon at the top of the Syllabus area. All of the items will open in a new window in a printer-friendly format.