Taken from FORUM, Volume 3, Number 1, 1993
Mary McDonald Harris, Professor
Center for the Teaching and Learning
University of North Dakota

The course syllabus is a semi-contractual document which includes specific information for students.  To promote student motivation in your syllabus, ask yourself if you could include the following ten items in your document.  What effect might this type of syllabus have on your student?

1. The syllabus conveys enthusiasm for the subject.
   Show your love of the subject with a statement to the students.  "I want to share with you my fascination with ..."
    
2. The syllabus conveys the intellectual challenge of the course.
   What are the important life puzzles that will be addressed?
    
3. It provides for personalization of content.
   Tell how the content applies to real life situations.
    
4. Respect for the ability of students is shown.
   Too much dialogue about plagiarism or support for failing students, tells some students that they should expect to fail.
    
5. Course goals are attainable and stated positively.
   Inform the students of what they will be able to do by the end of the course.
   Allow a place for students to list their own goals for the course.
    
6. Grading policies convey the possibility of success.
   Avoid statements that express punishment for errors.
   Replace them with simple and optimistic statements of expectations.  Policies such as dropping the lowest grade or one late homework assignment encourage students.
    
7. Assignments are adequately specified.
   Poor student performance often results from lack of clarity about instructor expectations. 
    
8. Assignments vary in type of required expertise.
   Address all learning styles of your students.  Courses with one type of assignment offer success to one type of learner.
    
9. Student learning is assessed frequently.
   Students benefit from frequent opportunities for feedback and self-assessment.
    
10. The syllabus conveys the teacher's desire to help students individually.
    A motivating syllabus tells students how and when to reach the instructor, sets up help sessions, and encourages students to come during office hours.