Is it okay to e-mail your professor, a few days before classes begin, to get a rough draft syllabus?

Question

I am taking a few higher-division courses and want to know where to start reading the text. Classes start on Monday. (Some profs start in the middle of text).

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think it's ok, although some professors may not be as prepared as others. Some of them may not have the final draft completed until a day or two before classes start and may simply opt not to distribute a rough draft beforehand. I emailed one of my professors for a syllabus before because I signed up for his online class. I simply wanted to look over the syllabus to make sure I could handle the class online before it started just in case I needed to change to a traditional in class setting. Needless to say, he never responded. On another note, I've emailed another professor who was more than glad to send me a copy of the syllabus before class started.