QUESTION
Can a University Professor change a syllabus during the middle of the semester?
Asked on Apr 24th, 2013 on Litigation - Michigan
More details to this question:
My professor handed us a syllabus at the beginning of the semester, and no where on the syllabus does it say it is tentative and subject to change. Now, with a few weeks left in the semester, she is making changes and updating it and changing details about our final exam. Is it legal for her to breach the course syllabus?
4 ANSWERS
There is nothing illegal about what the professor did.
Answered on Apr 29th, 2013 at 4:08 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Law Offices of Marshall S. Tauber
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A syllabus is not a binding contract & there is no legal analysis which applies to this type of academic course management. You can't successfully or logically bring assertions of legality or illegality into the realm of college coursework. Time for you to learn the scholarly pursuit of flexibility in your studies or you will be in for some big disappointments as time progresses.
Answered on Apr 25th, 2013 at 11:31 PM
Thomas Edward Gates
Your teacher determines how she wishes to handle her class. The syllabus is not a legal document, hence, it is subject to change. Further, the document did not receive your approval, since none was required.
Answered on Apr 25th, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
at
Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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I do not see any reason why she cannot change the syllabus or the class outline. It is also possible for her to change the final examination. Is there a matter of the teachers discretion and I do not believe there is any law which would state that a syllabus once published is contractual in nature.
Answered on Apr 25th, 2013 at 8:59 PM