Syllabi on the Brain

I never know which plural form of syllabus to use. Apparently both syllabi and syllabuses are correct even though most spell check dictionaries tend to approve of the latter rather than the former. Obviously, I have syllabi (syllabuses?) on the brain. I recently posted on my Google groups page a discussion thread about what constitutes a well written syllabus. I always seem to write them at the last moment and then feel like they are not thorough enough. If you want to check out a sample I posted feel free, I'd love some feedback.

I am composing a self-directed professional development syllabus for myself this summer. Kind of like a well organized to-do list for summer studying. I'm taking on teaching three new preps and passing on teaching World History to our new hire. As a result I have a lot of prep work to do this summer to be ready to be up and running for day one of fall semester. I also needed a way to organize and track myself in terms of setting personal deadlines for reading assignments. In addition to needing to do some lesson plan research for U.S. History and Civic/Economics, I am also participating in an Economics Workshop at Stanford in August, as well as participating in the CASTLE Online Book Club. Then, of course, there is the Digital Storytelling Workshop KQED is putting together in San Francisco in August as well. Did I mention I'm teaching summer school too?

A to-do list seemed a little inadequate to deal with the workload. So, I am putting together a syllabus for myself and it has me reflecting on what is needed in a syllabus. I find myself wanting due dates and assignments in my own syllabus, but not finding myself prepared enough to map out my entire school year for my students that well yet.

Perhaps after years of teaching the same subject this gets easier.