Course outlines (MS Word) should be developed with sufficient detail to:

1. Provide a guideline for the instructor (or a substitute) to conduct the course.
2. Provide the universities with information to articulate the course.

A course outline differs from a syllabus.  The outline is the framework for the content of a course, listing the objectives and skills a student should be expected to attain as a result of completing the course.  The syllabus describes how the course is taught, listing the meeting times, instructor's office hours and contact information, assignments, grading structure, etc.

Syllabi can vary greatly from one instructor to the next -- academic freedom allows each instructor to teach his/her own way -- but the objectives and student outcomes must remain standard.  These objectives often serve as prerequisites for other courses.

Here is a model Trade Tech course outline, using the old format (credit: English faculty member Rashidah Shakir):

LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECHNICAL COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE (ASSOCIATE DEGREE CREDIT COURSE)

 DEPARTMENT: Liberal Arts

SUBJECT NAME & NUMBER:  English 234

COURSE TITLE:   African-American Literature

UNITS:   3                                                 REPEATABILITY:  0

PREREQUISITE(s):  English 28

LECTURE,  3 hours; LABORATORY,  0 hours; OUT-OF-CLASS WORK,  6 hours

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:   (As it will appear in the Catalog):

This course surveys the literary, social and historical aspects of essays, novels, dramas, short stories, and poetry written by African-Americans.  Critical papers are required.

 REQUEST FOR ARTICULATION:                                 CURRICULA:  

COURSE CLASSIFICATION:                                                      

(x) Baccalaureate only                                              
(  ) Occupational only
(  ) Non Degree Applicable                                                                                             

TEXTBOOK(S)  List all books and supplies appropriate for course:  

MULTIPLE METHODS OF STUDENT EVALUATION    METHODS OF INSTRUCTION  

 Report filed by (Instructor, date):

 APPROVED ______________________________      ____________________________________

                        Dept Head                        Date         Dean                                             Date

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

As a result of completing this course, students will have an understanding of or be able to apply the following principles and concepts:

Content Knowledge:

• An appreciation of the beauty and diversity of African-American prose and poetry
• An ability to relate course readings to social, political, and cultural events occurring at the time material was written
• Skill in analyzing African-American literature to better understand modern African-American culture

Composition:

• Ability to compose essays that reflect the application of such critical thinking skills as analysis, interpretation, and comparison of ideas, themes and conflicts explored in these texts.
• Ability to identify and expound upon a variety of rhetorical techniques and literary devices on exams, quizzes and in-class writing assignments

Reading:

• Ability to recognize the structure of various forms of prose and poetry
• Understand the act of reading and comprehension as an avenue to greater vocabulary and means of creative expression

Critical Thinking:

• Ability to grasp definitions and apply primary literary terms in written and spoken forums
• Ability to not only identify and understand the author’s message, but to “illuminate” the text by discovering new and original interpretations of the material
• Ability to integrate these interpretations into class discussion and assigned exams or writing assignments

APPROPRIATE READINGS:

Primary Text:

Supplementary Texts:

APPROPRIATE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS, SYMBOLIC MANIPULATION, OR SKILLS DEMONSTRATION

Short critical essays will be written, oral presentations are required and one full-length reseARSCh paper analyzing a full-length book, essay or play, an historical period, or literary convention, technique or theme in African-American Literature will be required.

APPROPRIATE OUTSIDE-OF-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:

Outside readings will be assigned, 2-3 critical essays and one reseARSCh paper are required, and the preparation of at least one oral presentation is required for completion of the course.

APPROPRIATE REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRING CRITICAL THINKING:

Every reading, writing and oral presentation assignment will require solid critical thinking skills.  Critical thinking will include the analyzing, critical evaluation and interpretation of reading material, video presentations and encouragement to illuminate each selection of prose and/or poetry.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT: (Total time 54 hours)          

TIME ALLOCATED                                                                     TOPIC/ACTIVITY       

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