The syllabus holds valuable information. It is where you can post your course description, a brief introduction, class guidelines, weekly reminders, and other important information. Schools leverage the syllabus as a way to preview the contents of a course (for future students, parents, etc.). Instructors use it to include course criteria and expectations. Students refer to it for assignments and grading policies.

Let's face it - course syllabus is an important part of class design.

There are THREE (3) ways teachers can post their syllabus in Canvas.

1. Import Syllabus as a File

Some teachers may already have created their syllabus as a separate document (word, pdf, etc.). As discussed Module 2- Lesson 2 - Importing Existing Content Into A Course, uploading a syllabus document via course FILES might be the easiest option. Students can access the syllabus from the files tab and/or instructors can link to the syllabus file from anywhere within their course.

2. Post Syllabus information onto a Page

As discussed in Module 2 - Lesson 3 - Creating New Content Within A Course, teachers may want to cut/paste content (or create content from scratch) within a content PAGE or pages (i.e. a page named "Syllabus"). Like files, students can access the syllabus from the pages tab and/or instructors can link to the syllabus page from anywhere within their course. You can also link to the syllabus file from a page, too.

Want to copyright your syllabus?
By leveraging the Syllabus Tool, you can make your course syllabus visible on the internet and still protect your copyright.
Click to learn more !

3. Use the Syllabus Tool

Canvas also has a syllabus tool located in the left-hand navigation. It combines the best of both options. You can create content in the description section (similar to adding content to a page) and also link to the full syllabus file (if you've uploaded it to your course FILES) and other content pages.

NOTE: Uploaded files can be set to autoload in the page.

In addition, the syllabus tool also aggregates and lists all course assignments and events in chronological order for students to view.

Guides icon

The following tutorials detail the course syllabus tool: