I have seen couple of syllabi that used a disclaimer similar to "Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus at any time". For the instructor side, it could be good, but from students side it could be good or bad, depending on the change. Any other thoughts?
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I thought you meant disclaimer as in 'trigger warning', or such nonsense...– smciCommented Aug 24, 2015 at 7:28
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5 Answers
Unless there is an unusually rigid set of controls and policies in the instructor's department, it is generally always the case that the instructor can change the syllabus on the fly. With any decent instructor, there is usually a good reason for doing so, such as incorporating an improvement the instructor has figured out partway through or adding extra emphasis on a section that people seem to be having trouble with. With a poor instructor, on the other hand, I don't think that the situation can be rescued by making the syllabus more rigid.
As such, my interpretation of the disclaimer is that it's simply a way to insulate the professor from complaints of students who take a rigid interpretation. From the students' side, I think it means little, only acknowledging a reality of instruction.
answered Aug 23, 2015 at 19:23
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5I treat some parts of the syllabus—like the grade calculation—as a contract with the students and always put proposed changes in those sections to the class before implementing them. Calling an audible on the schedule, however, is to be expected. Commented Aug 23, 2015 at 19:34
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@dmckee Even grade calculation might sometimes be appropriately adjusted: for example, let's say that a class collectively bombs its second quiz, and the instructor realizes that it's because they taught something poorly. Then they might adjust grading to consider two weightings---the original and one where that quiz is considered more lightly---and give students the better of the two.– jakebealCommented Aug 23, 2015 at 19:48
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2Sure, and the class will accept that proposed change by universal acclimation with many a puppy-eyed look of grateful relief. Then I have to figure out what good stuff I'm going to lose and the end of the term so we can re-do the just-tested material better. Which gives you both parts of my approach. Commented Aug 23, 2015 at 19:52
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2Do you think that is should be part of syllabus just to protect the instructor? From the students side, it also doesn't look as a good contract. Commented Aug 23, 2015 at 20:26
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1Where I teach it is a sad reality that lectures do get cancelled in the winter tem due to situations beyond human control (i.e., snowstorms/blizzards). For that reason the schedule must be adjustable, and with it the timing, weighting and content of deliverables such as assignments, and sometimes greater course components. Commented Aug 24, 2015 at 3:17
(Somewhat in reference to the other answer and pursuant comments...) Even though I do privately think that my job is to give the students the best education I can, it seems both "fair" and "anxiety-reducing" to make quasi-contractual promises in advance... all the while realizing that the students make no such promises to me, etc. But it's a very asymmetrical situation.
So basically what I try to promise is to assure the anxious, primarily about the grading system, gradelines, and how much material will be "assessed-upon". In effect, such an approach does give openings to those seeking to "game" the system, but I reject a role of "policeman" for one thing, and, for another, see it as undesirable that the earnest (often anxious) students get put-upon for the sake of trying (which is often unsuccessful anyway) to keep at bay the game-the-system people.
The aspect of the syllabus that specifies the extent of the content of the course can be made fairly independent of the grading scheme specification, I think, even if this amounts to declaring some "extra topics" outside the bounds of "what will be tested-on". (In upper-division undergrad courses I'd regularly include will-not-be-on-the-test information, with a few catty remarks about people who only care "what's on the final"... and certainly in graduate courses only talking about what's reasonably testable does a great dis-service to the students, since they'll have a "textbook" picture of something (with the pursuant testability constraints, non-interaction with other topics/ideas, and so on), rather than the "live" version.)
I really do think the "promises about grading system" and "outline of what will be covered (and tested upon?)" are two very distinct things. The grading system should be a bit contractual, I think, given the power discrepancy, and potential for harm/anxiety. The content promises are rather different, since there's not necessarily any adversarial relationship.
answered Aug 23, 2015 at 22:59
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2The students do make promises to you. By continuing in your class past the add/drop deadline they are agreeing to accept the grade they get on your class as part of their academic record. Their commitment will be enforced by the school. That is a big risk for them to take unless they can count on your promises, mainly the syllabus. If the content changes mid-course to something they would not have signed up for, they are still stuck with either completing the course or having a black mark on their record. Commented Aug 23, 2015 at 23:22
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2@PatriciaShanahan, yes, indeed, they have a commitment, but not an obligation, in the picky sense that if they screw up, it has little detrimental effect on me. But, yes, you are right, I strongly believe, that they risk something, and would hope to be able to count on my promises. (Just a quibble about words, though maybe that is a part of the issue...) Commented Aug 23, 2015 at 23:41
At my school faculty could make any changes to the syllabus that they wanted to make, but a copy had to be given to the students in writing (email was okay).
As far as the contract is concerned, it protects the instructor to think of it in that way. If it comes to a grade grievance, the only thing in question is whether the instructor graded the student according to the terms of the syllabus; everything else is extraneous. It seldom happens that a grade grievance makes it all the way to a committee, but if it does, this protects the faculty member.
As a teaching assistant in grad school, I once strayed from a professor's syllabus and was reprimanded by said professor, who said that the syllabus has contractual weight and serious problems can result from sudden deviations from it.
I never investigated the true legal weight that was claimed by that professor, but even if its legal weight is very small, it remains a fact that American culture has grown increasingly litigious. It is common practice to put in disclaimers to this effect "just in case".
In law there are clear violations, clear non-violations, and a frequently vast grey area in between them. Most universities, corporations, etc. make it a point to avoid the grey area completely. You just don't want to risk someone taking you to court over a possible violation.
Similarly, as an instructor it's a major pain if one or more of your students decide to go to your chair or dean to complain about violations of your syllabus. Being able to point at the syllabus and say "nope, it specifically says this could/would happen" will fend off the more spurious claims.
When changes are made they are almost always minor, and are announced in advance or plainly necessary. Usually it's a matter of changing the planned lectures due to falling behind (or even getting ahead); adjusting to the strengths and weaknesses of the particular class; removing optional topics in favor of something else; or giving a class-wide re-examination when the class as a whole performs unacceptably poorly. You still have to stay within the broad scope of the course description: a calculus course has to stay about calculus, a course about 18th century China can't turn into a course on modern Japan, etc.
answered Aug 24, 2015 at 2:12
The syllabus is not just a contract with the students, but more so a contract with whoever will have to teach the classes after yours. If you just leave something out, or cover it lightly to make space for "more interesting" subjects, you are doing your students (and those who will have to clean up afterwards) a disservice.
Here you can request the syllabi for the classes you have taken, in case you want to e.g. apply for continuing study elsewhere (and also for exchange students visiting from abroad). So it is important to have them quite clear in what subjects are covered, and adhere to that. Grading is more a local matter, but shouldn't be changed without the explicit consent of the affected students.
