Opening Opportunities in the Freshman Composition Syllabus

Abstract:At the beginning of each class, we attest to the virtues of writing with clarity, focus, and authority, yet we saddle students with a syllabus that lacks all these virtues. Added, our students are forced to reference it routinely throughout the semester to navigate the course. Admittedly, I myself perpetuate this type of course design. My 2022 resolution is to get my syllabus in order. Document design is a good place to start. If we follow Banwarshi’s guidance, we can start our collection and study of genres by placing our students at the center of each of the nested genres within the syllabus. What if the course requirements (project submission minimums, assignment deadlines, and the usual “thou shalts”) looked like real-world contracts students would have to acknowledge, sign, and abide? What if the assignment descriptions looked more like an informational brochure, tri-fold, tour guide, or prix fixe menu? What if our contact information was a digital business card with a link to provide an efficient path to our office? We could continue with our “what if’s” concerning the schedule of assignments, required texts, and all the remaining nested eggs in our syllabi. Importantly, would the resulting consequences help our students? I think so.