Syllabus Book

[Nidan Melbourne]

Hey all.

I was wondering how your schools organise your syllabus book for students.

I am asking because a friend is mine is wanting to create a syllabus book for his club and asked me to make one for him.

I have shown him my old clubs book to provide an idea of what one looks like.

What do you all include in yours?

[Lupin1]

We don't give it to someone until they reach 3rd kyu, so they can start preparing themselves for the Shodan tests.

It starts with an explanation of our school's goals and the focus of our studies both at the kyu ranks and the dan ranks (which have different focuses). It then gives a history of our school and our instructors' training and lineage.

After that it breaks our syllabus down into a chart with what forms and drills should be learned at each level from white belt to senior instructor ranks.

The rest of it is devoted to helping students prepare for the Shodan test. It has an outline of the Shodan test and what a student will need to demonstrate for that, a breakdown of required terminology, about ten pages of Isshinryu and karate history, an a brief history and detailed breakdown of each kata (though students are expected to research a more detailed history on their own in preparation for their test), and a breakdown of the different techniques and partner sets required for Shodan.

So basically, it's a guide for the black belt test, although it also contains what a student should expect after Shodan.

[bushido_man96]

We don't have a syllabus book. I wish we did, as it would really help clear up some of the inconsistencies that show up from school to school.

[Karate_John]

Students get books from our Hombu Dojo. There is a book for every grade other then Brown. (That makes 3) That includes History, Kumite Theory, Kata Theory, Techniques, Drills, etc.

Black belts and Brown belts close to Shodan have a techniques manual, and teaching manual. Between them they cover the curriculum required for all ranks, drills, recommended workouts, etc.

[DWx]

Ours are given to students in their entirety when they start. It follows the following format for each kup (kyu) level:

Practical Requirements

- Perform pattern for grade (kata)

- Understand and demonstrate the following techniques (usually a list of 5 or so techniques)

- Exercise requirements (push ups, sit ups etc.)

- Breaking requirements (for 7th kup and above)

- Step sparring (we don't have set combinations, students have to create their own from 8th kup)

Theory Requirements

(Written down as question and answer)

- Explain the meaning of the pattern learnt

- terminology for all new movements learnt

- then 10 or so different theory questions on history of the style and technical info.

We do have a version for 12 and under students where the questions are the same but the level of detail required for the theory answers is much less.

Students can also get asked anything from any of the previous grades.

Black belts don't have a set syllabus but are expected to know everything up to their grade. Our style has a pretty extensive 15 volume Encyclopedia written by the founder so at later dan levels you're generally expected to know everything in that.

[sensei8]

Our syllabus books are quite raw; nothing worth to write home to mom about.

List of Kihon [per rank]

List of Kata [per rank]

List of Kumite [per rank]

Kobudo [where applicable per rank. Kobudo ranking is SEPARATE from Karate-do]

Tameshiwara requirements [where applicable per rank]

Brief history about Shindokan Saitou-ryu [only in the 10th kyu booklet]

Dojo Kun [dojo rules...in every book, no matter rank]

Like I said, nothing worth to write home to mom about! Even with the Shindokan Shield on the front cover, they're plain, and I mean plain. Nonetheless, everything a student needs to refresh their minds as to the expectations per rank/per student can be found. The Hombu has a department that manages these books!

[bushido_man96]

Students get books from our Hombu Dojo. There is a book for every grade other then Brown. (That makes 3) That includes History, Kumite Theory, Kata Theory, Techniques, Drills, etc.

Black belts and Brown belts close to Shodan have a techniques manual, and teaching manual. Between them they cover the curriculum required for all ranks, drills, recommended workouts, etc.

The ATA did this. They have quite a nice encyclopedia set.

[IcemanSK]

My grandmaster wrote a book for students 35-ish years ago that is updated every few years. It has the curriculum up to first Poom/Dan in it. We use it as a guideline for belt testing. Senior Instructors also have an SOP mannual by which to run our dojang. We can add to the curriculum in our schools, but we cannot subtract from the two books we use. Both bookare very helpful & detailed.

[Sentoka]

I'll shoot you through a copy of mine if you want, Liam.

We're constantly updating our syllabus book. Originally it started as the grading requirements and a bit of history. Now it's around 20 pages, including a comprehensive terminology glossary, explanations of fundamental principles in Wado and the theoretical self defence components.

My instructor used to issue the next grading syllabus every time we upgraded, and it was seen as a bad thing to show the students beyond what they were testing for next. As part of our promise to our students of complete transparency, I believe it's necessary to show what they're in for in the long run. I stop short of putting diagrams or listing bunkai, as it's meant as a guide and information for the students, not as an instructional book.

[ps1]

Put it on video on youtube or facebook.