Simple Syllabus
Georgia Southern’s Move Toward Public-Facing Syllabi with Simple Syllabus
Georgia Southern University is joining other University System of Georgia (USG) institutions in moving toward public-facing syllabi through the adoption of Simple Syllabus. This transition aligns with the USG’s broader effort to increase transparency, consistency, and accessibility in course information for students and the community. A public-facing syllabus helps prospective and current students make informed decisions by offering clear, easily accessible information about a course before registration. For faculty, Simple Syllabus streamlines the process of syllabus creation and ensures compliance with USG and university standards, while still allowing for individual teaching styles and flexibility.
Each public syllabus includes key information such as, but not limited to:
- Course title, description, and learning outcomes
- Instructor contact information and office hours
- Required materials and texts
- Major assignments and grading structure
- University policies and student resources
Faculty can upload a broader, preliminary version of their syllabus early—allowing students to preview course expectations—then update it later with a more detailed version once the semester approaches.
There are several established best practices associated with syllabus design, and the Georgia Southern University Faculty Handbook provides statements of what to include in your syllabus.
Deadline
Spring 2026 and Summer 2026: Core IMPACTS courses and all education-related courses within the College of Education must be posted at least one week before classes begin, approximately January 4, 2026. For all other courses and Fall 2026, deadline is March 5, 2026, or by the time registration opens. Courses offered through eCore/eCampus should post a link directing students to the eCore Syllabus page: eCampus Syllabus Library.
Watch Simple Syllabus Training
- Webinar Instructor Training Recording (password: simple)
- Webinar Approver Training Recording (password: simple)
- Browse other training videos from Simple Syllabus
Simple Syllabus FAQs
How do I access Simply Syllabus?
You can access Simple Syllabus:
- Through your Folio course shell in D2L Brightspace.
- Click on Resources from the top navigation menu
- Select Simple Syllabus from the drop-down menu.
What does “public-facing” mean?
Any item marked “public” on the Simple Syllabus or CV templates can be viewed by anyone. “Public” truly means visible to everyone. However, some details—like your contact information or office location—can be manually set to private, making them visible only to students enrolled in that course.
- Public: Viewable by anyone with the syllabus library link.
- Private: Only visible to enrolled students and instructors.
Note: If you have a TA, GA, or RA who is not the instructor of record, you do not need to include their information in any public section.
Tip: If an item’s toggle cannot be changed to private, it’s because it must remain public per state or system mandates.
Do part-time faculty and lecturers also need to post their syllabi and CVs?
Yes. All GS faculty, including part-time and lecturers, must post syllabi for their courses and a faculty CV. Note: If a section doesn’t apply to you, write “Not Applicable.”
Tip: Complete all information as accurately and completely as possible, but do not post personal information.
How do I submit my syllabus?
By drafting and publishing your syllabus within your Folio course section, your syllabus is generated and automatically included in the public syllabus library.
Can students who are not in my class see my syllabus?
Yes. The public sections of your syllabus are viewable by anyone. Note: Anything toggled to private will only be seen by students registered for that particular class.
If my readings or assignments change, can I update my syllabus?
Be as detailed and accurate as possible in your syllabus.
Note: If your class requires flexibility (e.g., updated readings), indicate this clearly, for example: “Additional readings on [topic] from [journal name] may be added as needed.” Tip: Include all known required materials in your syllabus template.
What if I need to change the number of assignments or quizzes?
If unexpected changes occur (e.g., due to weather or schedule adjustments), you may modify your assessments. Tip: To allow flexibility, include a grading breakdown (e.g., “Exams 40%, Quizzes 20%, Practice 10%”) instead of listing an exact number of assignments.
Who approves changes to my syllabus?
All syllabus changes must be approved by your department chair.
Can I use Simple Syllabus to create my entire syllabus?
Yes. Faculty can use Simple Syllabus for their full syllabus by adding any additional components at the end of the structured template. These additional sections can be set as private and visible only to enrolled students.
Is there a field in the syllabus template for a detailed class schedule?
Including a class schedule is optional. You may add it as an additional component in Simple Syllabus or upload a separate schedule as a Word or PDF document to Folio.
Can my departmental syllabus template be adapted to Simple Syllabus?
Yes. Departments can include specific components agreed upon at the departmental level. Faculty will need to add these the first time, but they can be copied into future syllabi to reduce manual entry. Departments cannot remove information required by USG or Georgia Southern.
Can my syllabus be changed or edited?
Yes, syllabi can be updated as needed, with the approval of the department chair.
What should chairs review before approving a syllabus?
Chairs should confirm that all required USG and institutional information is included.
Do labs that accompany a CORE lecture also require a Simple Syllabus?
Yes, if the lab is graded for separate credit or has a separate CRN. If not, the lab information (including instructor details) should be included within the lecture syllabus.
What if I need help with formatting or accessibility?
Contact Simple Syllabus support accessible from within the syllabus authoring tool or the Faculty Center.
Who can edit and see my syllabus?
Any instructor with a secondary instructor role within your Folio course. However, this does not automatically mean a TA or a GA, it will depend on their role of record and contact hours.
CV – FAQs
What does “public-facing” mean?
Any item marked “public” on the Simple Syllabus or CV templates can be viewed by anyone. “Public” truly means visible to everyone. However, some details—like your contact information or office location—can be manually set to private.
Will someone need to approve my CV?
No. It is solely the faculty’s responsibility to ensure that the information on the public facing CV is updated and accurate and will not need prior approval before posting.
How far back should I go when listing publications and scholarly output in my CV?
List the most relevant items that best reflect your professional standing. Note: There’s no required timeframe. Tip: An average of five entries is typical, but you can include more based on your judgment.
What’s the difference between “publications” and “scholarly output” in my CV?
Publications include printed or online research and opinion pieces. Scholarly output refers to broader professional work such as conference posters, presentations, panels, or exhibits.
Do part-time faculty and lecturers also need to post their syllabi and CVs?
Yes. All GS faculty, including part-time and lecturers, must post syllabi for their courses and a faculty CV. Note: If a section doesn’t apply to you, write “Not Applicable.” Tip: Complete all information as accurately and completely as possible, but do not post personal information
Resources for Designing Your Syllabus
Last updated: 11/20/2025