Do this:

Course: ANTH 2502. Human Evolution
Description: The processes and events leading to the origin of human beings. Human physical and cultural development from its beginning to the dawn of settled life, through the approaches of physical anthropology and archaeology.

Not this:

Course: ANTH 2502. Human Evolution
Description: An introduction to how humans evolved.

Notes:
The point of a course description is to clarify or elaborate on what the title promises. If the description doesn’t tell students anything new, it’s not useful.

Do this:

Course: HIST 1600. Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean
Description: Multidisciplinary exploration of the historical development of such aspects of Latin America and the Caribbean as colonization and nation formation; geography and the environment; immigration and migration; race, ethnicity, and gender in society, politics, economy, and culture.

 Not this:

Course: HIST 1600. Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean
Description: A multidisciplinary exploration of the historical development of Latin America and the Caribbean, delving into various aspects that have shaped the rich tapestry of these regions over the centuries, including a nuanced understanding of the complex processes that have defined the cultural, social, economic, and political landscapes of these diverse areas. Key themes explored are the impact of colonization and the subsequent formation of nations in Latin America and the Caribbean; the historical legacies of European colonialism and their enduring effects on contemporary societies; and the geographical and environmental factors that have played a pivotal role in shaping these regions, from their natural landscapes to the challenges posed by climate change and resource management. Examines the dynamic forces of immigration and migration, tracing the movements of people and their contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the intricate intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender in these societies, shedding light on the evolving dynamics within politics, economy, and culture through critical analysis and appreciation of the complexities that have defined these regions throughout their history.

 Notes:
The first example provides students with enough information to get a feel for what the course will cover without being flowery or overwhelming. The second example is too long and will have diminishing returns the longer it goes on. Most people will stop reading halfway through.

Do this:

Course: PHYS 1010. Elements Of Physics
Description: Basic concepts and applications of physics for the non-science major. Scientific principles and quantitative relationships involving mechanics, energy, heat and temperature, waves, electricity and magnetism, and the theory of the atom are covered. A laboratory provides hands-on experience with the principles of physics.

Not this:

Course: PHYS 1010. Elements Of Physics
Description: What is physics? Physics comes from the ancient Greek word φuσισ, which means ‘the science of natural things,’ and it is there in ancient Greece that our story begins. This course covers the basic concepts and applications of physics for the non-science major. Scientific principles and quantitative relationships involving mechanics, energy, heat and temperature, waves, electricity and magnetism, and the theory of the atom are covered. A laboratory provides hands-on experience with the principles of physics.

 Notes:
The first two sentences of the description are background information that can be covered in the first lecture. They do not provide students with any useful information about what the course will cover or how, so omit them.

Do this:

Course: ENGR 3101. Signals and Systems
Description: Representation of signals in the time and frequency domains. Fourier series. Fourier and Laplace transform methods for analysis of linear systems. Introduction to state space models. Introduction to sampling and discrete systems analysis via z transforms.

Not this:

Course: ENGR 3101. Signals and Systems
Description: In this course, students will learn the representation of signals in the time and frequency domains. The course covers Fourier and Laplace transform methods for analysis of linear systems, and provides an introduction to state space models. Students will also get an introduction to sampling and discrete systems analysis via z transforms.

Notes:
The phrases in blue are implied. Adding them to the catalog copy forces people to read over them to get to the information they really want. If every course starts with “In this course, students will learn…,” then all courses look exactly the same for the first six words. It is inefficient.

Do this:

Course: PNB 3251. Biology of the Brain
Description: Brain functions, from molecular and cellular to overall central nervous system organization. Topics of current scientific interest.

Not this:

Course: PNB 3251. Biology of the Brain
Description: Unleash your curiosity and embark on a thrilling journey into the intricate world of brain functions in this captivating course. Dive deep into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that power the most remarkable organ in the human body – the brain! Discover the secrets behind neuronal communication, synaptic plasticity, and the astounding biochemical processes that underlie memory, cognition, and emotions. Get ready to unravel the mysteries of the brain's inner workings!

Or this:

Course: PNB 3251. Biology of the Brain
Description in haiku:
Brain functions revealed.
Nervous system's grand design,
Science sparks the mind.

Notes:
The first description is short, but it still expands on the title and gives students a sense of what the course will entail. The second sounds more like an advertisement for the course, and while it does provide some information on course content, students need to read through the promotional nonsense to get to what they need. Promoting a course is fine, but the catalog copy is not the place to do it. (Regarding the third example, we were actually in favor of rewriting the entire catalog in haiku, but we were overruled, so don’t do it. For now.)

Do this:

Course: DRAM 3130.  Women in Theatre: Gender Identity and Expression on the Stage
Description: A critical study of women’s participation in the art of theatre, with particular attention to theatre as a tool for exploring gender identity and expression. Focus on plays and performances, primarily from the 20th- and 21st-century United States, analyzing how evolving feminist concerns are reflected in women's theatrical work and how changing concepts of gender and other intersectional identities are embodied on the stage. CA 4.

Not this:

Course: DRAM 3130.  WOMEN in Theatre! Gender Identity & Expression on the Stage
Description: A critical study of women’s participation in the art of theatre, with particular attention to theatre as a tool for exploring gender identity and expression. Focus on plays & performances *primarily from the 20th- & 21st-century United States* analyzing how evolving FEMINIST CONCERNS are reflected in women's theatrical work and how changing concepts of gender and other intersectional identities are embodied on the stage. CA 4.

Notes:
Periods, commas, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, and hyphens are standard in catalog descriptions and are fine to use. Course titles are limited to periods, commas, colons, apostrophes, and hyphens (no semicolons). All other special characters (e.g. exclamation points, question marks, dashes, ampersands, @ signs, pound signs/hastags, asterisks, etc) cannot be used because many of those characters act as wildcards in various technical systems and can cause data issues. Also, do not use all caps unless writing an acronym. The acronym will ideally be defined somewhere unless it is widely known and accepted. Titles should use title case, and course descriptions should use sentence case. Do not use boldface or italics. Catalog copy should be in English.