Last updated on December 3, 2020
Since not everyone who reads this blog is familiar with the life of a college professor, it may help to explain what a syllabus is.
A syllabus is a document that explains the expectations, policies, and organization for a given course of study. It is also, as every professor knows, an exercise in futility since students seldom actually read it and consistently ask questions that could easily be answered by simply reviewing the syllabus. Many a meme has been shared online by professors lamenting lack of attention to syllabi.
And we do spend a lot of time on it, or, at least, I do. I am pathologically organized at times, but a detailed syllabus – along with a willingness to be flexible – helps with course prep and planning. It also gives students an opportunity to plan ahead (which of course they ALWAYS do).
I thought I’d share some of my recent syllabi for courses I taught this semester and in previous semesters. Of those below, I’ve taught American Government and the American Presidency the most and am constantly updating my courses.
If you’re a political science professor or grad student, please feel free to use these in your own course development. If you have my email (which I’m trying to avoid sharing on my website due to serial spammers), I welcome your suggestions and questions.
I hope to write more about these individual courses and about teaching generally in the future. I also have a page dedicated to teaching here (in need of lots of work) and a statement of teaching philosophy.
Have a great weekend!
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