March 23, 2025

The Carleton Academic Student Government (CASG) launched its Course Outline Initiative in 2023 under the leadership of former President Francesca Lepore. The project aims to provide students with access to current and past course outlines so they can make informed decisions about course selection before the registration process.

CASG saw a greater need for academic transparency regarding course communication due to student struggles in finding reliable information regarding evaluation methods, course content, and professor expectations. The Course Outline Initiative seeks to address those gaps by providing students with access to a repository of course outlines from previous terms.

Through this initiative, CASG offers students the resources they need to effectively plan their academic paths, manage their workloads and make choices that align with their learning preferences. By ensuring that students have access to the necessary information, they will be equipped to make choices that support their academic success. For example, access to past syllabi will:

• Give students insight into how a course will operate and the content it will cover before registration, reducing the need for schedule changes.

• Allow students who are considering changing their program elements (i.e. major, minor, concentration) to review course requirements and offerings in advance, facilitating a smoother transition.

• Help attract prospective students as the university can showcase its unique educational opportunities and the learning experiences offered by various courses.

• Work to retain current students by building transparency in course offerings, which will help students feel confident in their academic choices.

Since its launch, CASG has worked alongside faculty members, department chairs and Carleton’s administration to encourage participation in the project. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Global and Public Affairs have already taken steps toward increasing department involvement in the initiative. The success of the Course Outline Initiative relies on collaboration between CASG and various academic departments. One major challenge has been discussions surrounding intellectual property rights, especially within the Faculty of Science, where labs are often included within course outlines.

There is an obvious demand for a syllabus archive for students of all faculties, so moving forward, CASG continues to advocate for the initiative’s expansion; working to preserve the project’s longevity. By addressing the need for more course transparency, the Course Outline Initiative reinforces CASG’s mission to advocate for an improved academic experience, where students are better equipped to achieve their academic goals.

If your department is not in compliance with this initiative please complete the following form: CASG Academic Concern Intake Form.

If you are interested in learning more about CASG’s advocacy projects or would like to submit an idea for the next Student Voices article, please reach out to vpacademic@casg.ca.