How to Cite a Syllabus
How to Cite a Syllabus
Citing a syllabus properly ensures that your academic work is credible and allows readers to locate your sources. Depending on the citation style you're using—MLA, APA, or Chicago—the format for citing a syllabus will differ. Below, we provide detailed instructions for each style.
MLA Style
In MLA style, the citation for a syllabus includes the instructor’s name, a description of the syllabus, the term when the course was offered, and the university. Here's an example:
Mueller, Alex. Syllabus for Social Networking in the Scriptorium. Spring 2014, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
If the syllabus is authored by someone other than the instructor, you can include the instructor’s name in the Contributor element:
Kelly, Michaela. Syllabus for English Literature before 1600. Taught by Eva Wilder, Fall 2021, Indiana University, Bloomington.
APA Style
For APA style, the format for citing a syllabus varies slightly based on whether it is a print or an online syllabus. Here’s how you can cite both types:
Print Syllabus
Instructor’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Course title [Syllabus]. Department, Institution, Location.
Example: Doe, J. (2020). Introduction to Psychology [Syllabus]. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Online Syllabus
Instructor’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Course title [Syllabus]. Department, Institution. URL
Example: Doe, J. (2020). Introduction to Psychology [Syllabus]. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles. https://www.exampleuniversity.edu/psychology/IntroPsych/syllabus.pdf.
Chicago Style
In Chicago style, citing a syllabus is similar to citing a lecture. Include the instructor's name, title of the syllabus, type of document, university, location, and date. Here’s the format:
Note: Instructor’s First Name Last Name, "Course Syllabus Title" (type of document, University, Location, Date).
Example: Danielle Sullivan, "Modern Fiction" (syllabus, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2011).
Bibliography entry: Sullivan, Danielle. "Modern Fiction." Syllabus, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2011.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations will depend on the style guide you are following. For instance:
- MLA: (Sullivan 4)
- APA: (Doe, 2020)
- Chicago: (Sullivan 2011, 2)
By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your citations are accurate and complete, providing a reliable path for readers to locate your sources.
For more detailed guidelines on how to cite a syllabus in various styles, refer to the official style guides or consult academic resources online.