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Simple Syllabus

Enabling instructors to quickly personalize and publish interactive class syllabi.

Cross-listed Courses?

 If you are using Canvas for cross-listed courses, please use the following link:

Simple Syllabus

Simple Syllabus is a centralized, template-driven platform that enables instructors to quickly personalize and publish interactive class syllabi.

logoSimple Syllabus is a centralized, template-driven platform that enables instructors to quickly personalize and publish interactive class syllabi.

Get Started

Simple Syllabus can be accessed within Canvas or directly through the Simple Syllabus portal.

Accessing Simple Syllabus through Canvas for Instructors

This is the standard method of accessing Simple Syllabus.

  • Click the Sign In via Canvas button above.
  • After signing in to Canvas, if needed, select the course to which the syllabus applies
  • Select "Simple Syllabus" from the course navigation
  • A frame within the screen should appear with an editable version of the syllabus
  • Fill out all boxes marked “Required”
    • You can either begin typing directly in an open box or select the edit button to make edits
  • Make sure to Save, where applicable, after editing information. If you need to make a change, select the edit button
  • Select Submit when all required sections are complete.

Accessing Simple Syllabus through Canvas for Students

This is the standard method of accessing Simple Syllabus.

  • Click the Sign In via Canvas button above.
  • After signing in to Canvas, if needed, select the course to which the syllabus applies
  • Select "Simple Syllabus" from the course navigation
  • A frame within the screen should appear with your course’s syllabus

Accessing Simple Syllabus Directly for Instructors

  • Click the Sign In button above.
  • If not already logged in:
    • Select Click here to log in using your institution credentials
    • At the SSO window, enter your SMU ID and password.
    • Authorize DUO, if needed
  • Fill out all boxes marked “Required”
    • You can either begin typing directly in an open box or select the edit button to make edits
  • Make sure to Save, where applicable, after editing information. If you need to make a change, select the edit button
  • Select Submit when all required sections are complete.

Accessing Simple Syllabus Directly for Students

  • Click the Sign In button above.
  • If not already logged in:
    • Select Click here to log in using your institution credentials
    • At the SSO window, enter your SMU ID and password.
    • Authorize DUO, if needed
    • View your syllabi and materials list for the term

Sharing your Simple Syllabus in your Course

As an instructor, there are different ways to publish your Simple Syllabus in your Canvas course

Use the Simple Syllabus navigation link in Canvas as the primary syllabus (recommended)

You can move SimpleSyllabus to the top of your course navigation and hide the native syllabus tool in Canvas.

  • In your course, click Settings
  • Select the Navigation tab
  • In the upper box, drag SimpleSyllabus towards the top of the list. Disable Syllabus by selecting the three vertical dots and clicking 'Disable'
  • Click Save

Use a Simple Syllabus PDF URL in your Course

  • After clicking Submit, an option to link to a PDF version of the syllabus in Simple Syllabus should appear.
  • Paste this link into the Rich Content Editor in your Syllabus tab on Canvas. For assistance editing the Syllabus tab, view the Instructional Guide:
  • Click Save

Note: Instructors and students must authenticate Simple Syllabus (either by clicking the Simple Syllabus navigation link or logging in directly to the Simple Syllabus portal)

Introducing Simple Syllabus

Video