<p>My S took a science class this semester. The prof did not have a syllabus. When S asked for one, Prof. replied “a syllabus is like telling you what’s going to be on the tests”.
S dropped the class after the first test because some of the questions, were on chapters that weren’t covered in class .
I don’t know whether the test came from the dept. and the Prof. was behind in his class.
I would like to know is it up to the Prof. to give/or not to give a syllabus?
BTW this is the Prof. first year teaching in the US (don’t know if it’s relevant)</p>
<p>I’ve never taken a class where I didn’t get a syllabus, and it’s usually a very detailed one.</p>
<p>A syllabus is useful but not mandatory. Also, material covered on tests could be from material in lectures and/or assigned reading- no requirement for a professor to cover everything in the book in class, or only material in the book- why duplicate information? I would hope the professor let students know which chapters of the reading were to be covered in an exam, even if he didn’t lecture on them- it could have been the first day and no written syllabus was handed out. A lot more responsiblity, less repetition or hand holding in college than HS.</p>
<p>I’ve never had a professor not hand out a syllabus. I’m not sure if it’s required, but it seems a little ridiculous not to have one, IMO. And the reason the Prof gave is silly. A syllabus should have all of the readings and assignments listed, so how is that telling you what’s on the test?</p>
<p>Thank you Wis75 for the answer.
The prof. did not told them what chapters will be covered on the test. If he did, that will be as good as giving a syllabus.</p>
<p>My DD’s school requires the teachers to hand out a syllabus for each class. Basically it tells the requirements of the course and the weightings of each component (%age that is for tests, papers, class participation, labs, homework, projects, etc). It also tells what books or whatever else might be required readings for the course. If there is attendance at things outside of class (e.g. fine arts courses might require some visits to museums or attendance at a certain number of concerts) that would also be listed. The syllabus tells how many exams will take place but my kids said they have never gotten one that tells which chapters will be on which tests…just the number of tests, papers, etc…and when they will be due to the teacher.</p>
<p>I also have never taken a college course without a syllabus (like I described above). In fact, our kids’ high school requires the same for ALL courses there as well.</p>
<p>My wife, who is a tenure-track professor at a state university, thinks the above-referenced professor is nuts, and it’s good your son dropped the course.</p>
<p>To put questions on a test that are not covered in either class or assigned readings is ridiculous — nothing like blowing a bunch of freshman out of the water, and teaching them that success is a random event over which they have no control.</p>
<p>Not that a syllabus is required, but some guidance as to what the scope of the course (and the test) will cover, is appropriate. I mean, why not just test for everything, including nanotechnology and 2nd-century greek poetry?</p>
<p>Most, if not all, colleges and universities require all instructors to provide students with a syllabus. Most accrediting agencies require departments to produce syllabi for the courses taught in that discipline. </p>
<p>You might check out the school’s website. Some of them post this sort of information. If not, I would think a query to the department chair or dean is in order. </p>
<p>Many schools stipulate that a student has a right to know what material will be covered in the class, what the goals are, how they will be evaluated, etc. I would be very surprised if there is an institution out there that does not require that a syllabus be provided.</p>
<p>The student was right to drop the course. This seems to be a game between this particular professor and the students who have to guess what will be covered on the test. I have heard of faculty having 25% of the final grade listed as “discretionary.” I would run as fast as I could away from that course.</p>
<p>My youngest attends a small private college in Maryland. Each and every professor and instructor is required to distribute a syllabus.</p>
<p>I would call the dean and ask the question. The professor sounds like a jerk.</p>
<p>I agree, that Professor is a dope. Congratulate your S on having shown good judgement in dropping the course.</p>
<p>Have your daughter call the dean and ask. If they are required, she needs to let the dean know what is going on. </p>
<p>Personally, I would never take a class without a syllabus and I’m almost 40. It’s got nothing to do with hand-holding, it’s a contract between student and teacher so expectations are clear on both sides.</p>
<p>I taught at 4 colleges, and they were mandatory at all 4.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the responses. Canyoncreek your last sentence made me laugh.
Prof. is new and is from south America. I feel the University may be the one at fault here. Maybe syllabuses are not used where he came from.</p>
<p>A syllabus is absolutely required, possibly even as part of the employment contract; one reason for this is to be able to provide a course description if, say, a student transfers to another college and they need information to determine if the class is transferable.</p>
<p>The syllabus contains a lot of useful information about professor contact info, expectations re attendance and participation, and is actually a contract between the professor and student. </p>
<p>See if the faculty handbook for the college is online.</p>
<p>When I taught college, we were required to have a syllabus, which basically a contract that says what the course will cover and how grading will be handled.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine a prof who doesn’t give a syllabus, and I agree that the dean needs to know about what the prof isn’t doing. Your S was very wise to drop that course.</p>
<p>^^ Agreed. It’s like a contract. If I don’t get a contract within the first two classes, I leave. Because, otherwise, how is the professor supposed to justify my final grade without a piece of paper at the beginning before I pick up my first readings that will begin the process of earning the final grade for the course? Had your son stayed in the course, he would’ve had every right to complain about his final grade because the professor had no paper/document to back up his justifications for giving your S the grade whatever he earned. I applaud him for dropping quickly but it should be brought to attention to the department chair.</p>