Course Planning

What you must cover

You must cover all the material in the course outline or guidelines supplied by your division, unless your division specifies otherwise.

Your division will have sent, or will soon send, the course outline or guidelines setting out what your course must cover, which books to use, and other details. Especially when you're new, plan the whole course from the first week to the last, so you cover all the required material without rushing at the end. Slowing down at students' request and then cutting material from the end of the course is usually not an option.

Plan the whole semester before it starts

An organized, well-planned course keeps students focused on the material rather than on a schedule that keeps changing.

1. Take a blank 16-week planning calendar, or one as long as your course runs.
2. Before the semester starts, fill in what you will cover each day.
3. Give students exact exam, quiz, and paper due dates at the start of the semester, so they can plan around them.

Who to ask for help

• Someone in your division who has taught the course before. It may help to ask how they approach it, and your division's administrative assistant can tell you who else has taught it.
• Your faculty mentor, if your division has assigned you one. Work closely with them to make sure your course meets division expectations.
• John Fuhrmann, the Adjunct Support Coordinator, at jfuhrman@glendale.edu.

Watch for email from your division

In most cases, your division will email you in the weeks before classes start, with checklists and other important information. Be on the lookout for these emails, and read them carefully.

Once your course is planned, see Syllabus and Final Exam Schedule for what your syllabus must include and for the final exam schedule.

Back to the Adjunct Faculty Page