This presentation compares and contrasts syllabus and course outline. It is helpful for instructors and academic leaders.

1. Anup K. Singh, Ph.D.

2. What Is a Syllabus?
 Syllabus is a guideline for the instruction of a subject.
It is based on subject standards.

3. Course Outline
 Course outline is a blueprint for the implementation
of a subject/course. It is a bridge between the
instructor and students. It covers the overview of a
subject, specific contents, pedagogies and assessment
methods.

4. Relationship between the Two
 Two dominant views:
 There is no difference between the two
 They must be differentiated as they differ conceptually
and procedurally (I subscribe to this approach)

5. Comparison of Syllabus and Course Outline
Syllabus Course Outline
 It is a guideline
 It is universal
 It is about proposed
contents
 It is static
 It is constant for all
instructors
 It is a determiner of course
outline
 It is specific by nature
 It is both universal and
contextual
 It is about contents,
pedagogy and assessment
 It is dynamic
 It is a creative outcome of
an instructor/area thinking
 It is affected by several
factors besides syllabus

6. Role of Learning Outcomes
 Learning outcomes are the fulcrum of any course.
Everything in a course revolves around them.
 Success of a course hinges on the achievement of
learning outcomes.
 Learning outcomes of a course have to relate with the
learning outcomes of a programme.
 Learning outcomes at Jaipuria are developed , using
RBT.

7. Learning
Outcomes
Contents and
Pedagogy
Assessment
Student
Profile &
Feedback
Faculty
Discussion
Syllabus
Resources
and
Time
Industry
Needs
Drivers and Consequences of Learning Outcomes

8. Approaches to Course Design
 Use a theoretical framework
 Divide a course into modules on thematic basis
 Content driven design
 Less knowledge, more thinking based design
 Hybrid approach

9. Typical Problems with Course Design
 Lack of alignment among learning outcomes,
contents and assessment
 Incoherent and scattered contents
 Highly information driven course
 Poor overview of the course
 Mismatch between coverage and instructional
methods
 Disconnect between learning outcomes and
assessment
 Course outline inconsistent with course design policy