In Learning to Teach: A discussion of a syllabus I wrote:

I am going back to a syllabus that more accurately reflects my “personality and style.” Do you think the school has antique parchment in hot pink for photocopies?

I think that the impetus to do something fun with my online syllabus at Davis English came from this thinking.

How to Use a Text You Didn’t Pick says:

The text is not supposed to be a bear trap that springs closed on your classroom and holds it still till it bleeds out. It is supposed to be a starting point, a jumping off point, a useful tool for your teaching. Use it; don’t let it abuse you.