One of your first assignments will be to complete an 'acknowledgement' that you've read and understand the syllabus. It is just that. An acknowledgement. For a grade. Nothing more.
There's debate about this. I believe that, in one sense, it is not : a "contract" is a mutually agreed upon document. This is not. This is me telling you (with some required stuff that's laid on me by the University and CBAT) how I'm going to teach this class and what I expect from you. And you can reasonably expect from me.
I suppose we could regard it as a "soft contract" (a term I just made up) in the sense that it is written, it does specify certain things, and you can reasonably expect me to abide by it. Any changes made after the syllabus has been distributed will be solely for your benefit. Every semester plays out a little differently. Sometimes, it's necessary to make adjustments (snow days, for example)
Every semester, it seems, many students regard their syllabi as just another useless document. And ignore it. Not a good idea. With this exercise, I hope to encourage you to pay closer attention to the syllabus for this class, at least.
Any class you take will be accompanied by a syllabus. A syllabus is your guide to a course and what will be expected of you over the course of the semester. Generally it will include course policies, rules and regulations, required texts, and a schedule of assignments. A syllabus can tell you nearly everything you need to know about how a course will be run and what will be expected of you (and, in turn, of your instructor(s)).
A syllabus is a very valuable tool, underused by many students. All professors will write and use their syllabi differently. Sometimes syllabus information may be spread over several links in Canvas, or on a course website. Regardless of the form, here are some items you will want to consider.
What type of course is this? Problem set and exam-based? Reading and discussion with papers? A variable-unit class with a variable workload should explain the difference in the syllabus.
A syllabus provides important information about what is expected from students taking the course. It details the course requirements, your assignments and their deadlines, participation and attendance expectations, and how your grade is calculated. When are the exams and major assignments due? Are assignments due in class or electronically by a certain time? What is the late policy? Be sure to check all the deadlines for all your courses to see whether you are committing yourself to four midterms in the same week or two problem sets on the same day every week (and reconsider, if you are).
Your decision to take the course implies that you have read and understood the syllabus, and that you will accept the requirements and the grading policies spelled out there. So be sure to read the syllabus carefully before making your enrollment decision!
During the semester, the syllabus continues to guide you. The syllabus reflects the way the class is organized. The titles for each class meeting will often identify the main themes of that class, and may help you focus your reading for that day in order to prepare for class, as well as guide your studying for exams.
The above content adapted from Stanford Undergrad
Click the link above or here to download the document, csci1720-syllabus-acknowledgement.docx and save it. Open it in Word, read it, and replace the placeholders with your name and the date where indicated. Save the file (you don't have to change its name) and upload it to the Syl-Ack folder on D2L