an integrated course of academic studies
"he was admitted to a new program at the university"
A summary of topics which will be covered during an academic course, or a text or lecture.
"The professor handed out the syllabus at the beginning of class to outline all the reading assignments and exam dates for the semester."
In plain English: A syllabus is a list of topics and rules for what you need to learn during a class.
"The teacher posted the course syllabus on the classroom door so students could see what topics would be covered."
Usage: A syllabus is the document outlining what will be taught in a specific class, not the lectures themselves. Students should check it early to understand assignment deadlines and grading policies before attending their first session.
The word syllabus entered English from Medieval Latin as a misprint for the term meaning "table of contents." This error occurred because the printed form looked like it came from Greek roots related to putting things together, even though its true origin is an obscure ancient label.