Music and Performing Arts Professions

Curriculum Development

When developing a new course in an existing curriculum, two documents are prepared and posted on the curriculum website: A Course Outline or Syllabus and a Course Proposal Form.

Preparing the Syllabus

The syllabus should address the following:

Catalog Description

A succint, bulletin-style description should be included. Limit to eight lines. This will actually be the description included in the bulletin and on the internet. If more discussion is needed to clarify the course, consider adding a "Rationale" after the catalog description which would be part of the syllabus.

Rationale (optional)

This may provide description of need, background, or other factors that would be helpful in understanding the proposed course.

Course Objectives

Course objectives stated in terms of expected student accomplishments/outcomes.

Required Text or Source Material

Enter this material in bibliographic style. If source packets are required, then list them and where they may be obtained. If the course is web-based, provide the URL that supports the course, and provide a brief description of the web materials.

Topics/Course Content

This section is an outline of course content, as a list of suggested topics scheduled for the duration of the term.  The course can also be described as a brief course outline that indicates the content as a sequence over the period of the course. Do not use specific dates, as the course content should be able to be adapted to the circumstances of the calendar in any semester, including summer.

Assignments

Major teaching-learning activities, assignments, and/or projects.

Assessment

Criteria and procedures for assessing the achievements of objectives. The evaluation plan must be consistent with the course objectives. (An examination may be appropriate for assessing certain objectives; an out-of-class project for others).

Bibliography

List of readings, both required and recommended. Entries should be comprehensive and current.

Preparing the Course Proposal Form

The course proposal form may be downloaded from this website. Most of the sections are self-evident and may be answered quickly. The syllabus should be attached and not embedded inside the form.