Open to: PhD students beyond prelims
Credit: 1, credit/no credit
Instructor: Molly Goldwasser or Andrea Novicki
Offered: Fall and Spring. Instructor consent required.
Prerequisites: Completed GS750 (or any other teaching class from this list) and completed prelims.

In this course, each PhD student will draft at least one course syllabus that may be used to teach an independent course at Duke, to seek adjunct teaching opportunities, or to apply to future faculty positions. Course topics will include

  • methods of course design,
  • syllabus construction,
  • critical thinking,
  • student learning outcomes,
  • formative and summative evaluation methods,
  • analytic vs. holistic grading rubrics, and
  • practical steps to propose and teach a new course.

Research on college students and successful new faculty will be discussed. The materials created in this course are very well-suited for use in a teaching portfolio.

Sample syllabus (PDF)

To Enroll

Students in the Certificate in College Teaching program are given priority for this class. Each term, an online form is opened for students to express interest in this and other college teaching courses being offered in the following term, and seats in the courses are distributed based on need and the appropriate fit of the student (year of study, teaching experience, etc.) The online form is typically opened in October (for spring classes) and in April (for fall classes.) Watch for CCT Annoucements emails for these links.