Course outline: [Course title]
How to use this template
Plan backward. Write the course outcomes first, then the assessments that show students have reached them, and only then the modules that prepare students for those assessments. Give each outcome a code (CLO 1, CLO 2…) and use the codes in every table, so you can see at a glance what serves what.
Copy Module 1, from its heading down to the divider under it, once for each row of the module map, and tag each objective with the outcome it serves, e.g. “Students will compare two budgets (CLO 2).” Run the check at the end before you send the outline for review. Once it's approved, it's the source for the syllabus and the course site: update the version whenever you change it.
Course at a glance
Course code | |
Instructor | |
Audience | |
Prerequisites | |
Format | |
Length | |
Weekly workload | |
Credit | |
Version |
Description
For the catalog: who it's for, and what they'll be able to do.
Course learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
CLO 1:
CLO 2:
CLO 3:
Outcomes you can assess
Start each outcome with one verb you could watch a student do: identify, explain, calculate, compare, design, critique. Avoid understand, know, learn about and appreciate, which no assessment can see. Then say what with, and how well. Three to five outcomes cover most short courses.
Weak: Understand the basics of budgeting.
Strong: Build a balanced monthly budget for a small program from its list of expected income and expenses, and justify each cut.
Module map
Module | Weeks | Outcomes | Students will | Assessed by |
1. | ||||
2. | ||||
3. | ||||
4. |
Modules
Module 1: [Title]
Weeks | |
Student time | |
Objectives | |
Topics | |
Readings | |
Activities | |
Assessment |
Assessment and grading
Assessment | Outcomes | Module | Due | Weight |
Total | 100% |
Materials
Required | |
Recommended | |
Tools and access |
Policies
Late work | |
Attendance | |
AI tools | |
Integrity | |
Accessibility | |
Questions |
Before you send it for review
Every course outcome is assessed at least once, and the final assessment covers the ones that matter most
Every module serves at least one course outcome; a module that serves none gets one or goes
Each assessment asks students to do what its outcome's verb says
The weights add up to 100% and follow the importance of the outcomes
Each module's hours fit the weekly workload stated at the top