syllabus

The saved excerpt is a snapshot from review. The external source remains the complete and most current version.

---
name: syllabus
description: "Generates a curated supplementary reading list from any course syllabus using Consensus academic search. Grill-me intake (syllabus input format + course audience + year range) plus a grouping forcing-options checkpoint before any search runs — so the reading list matches the course's level and recency need. Parses the syllabus to extract topics and learning outcomes, searches Consensus for recent peer-reviewed papers per topic, and produces a professionally formatted .docx with clickable Consensus links, plain-language summaries calibrated to audience level, and Bloom-higher-order discussion questions tied to course learning goals. Use when the user uploads a syllabus, course outline, or curriculum document and wants supplementary readings (e.g., 'create a reading list from this syllabus', 'find recent papers for my course') — even casual mentions with a syllabus attached should trigger this skill."
license: MIT
metadata:
  source_spec: "megaprompts/10-syllabus-megaprompt.md"
  build_pattern: "Path B (direct conversion)"
  research_pack_convention: "Agent Integrity Rules verbatim per PR #657 audit; bundled-JS-DOCX-generator variant"
  version: 1.0.0
---

# Syllabus — Course Supplementary Reading List

> **Portability:** Requires a Consensus MCP connection, Node.js with `docx` package, and file reading capability for the syllabus. Works in Claude Code CLI natively. In Claude.ai with Consensus MCP + Code Execution + file upload, the workflow is supported.

For an instructor or student with a course syllabus, produce a professional supplementary reading list as `.docx` containing recent peer-reviewed papers per course section.

## Architectural Pattern: Bundled Script

This skill uses a **bundled JavaScript helper script** for DOCX generation rather than inlining the 300+ lines of layout code:

- DOCX generation logic is reusable + complex
- Better separation of concerns: skill = orchestration + intelligence; script = mechanical document assembly
- Token-efficient: skill doesn't re-derive layout each run
- Easier to maintain and version

The bundled script is at `scripts/generate_reading_list.js`. The skill orchestrates the pipeline + invokes the script with JSON input.

## Agent Integrity Rules (Research-Pack Convention)

Locked verbatim per PR #657 audit.

- **Only use what Consensus returns.** Every paper title, author, journal, year, URL must come from this session's tool calls. Training-knowledge papers labeled `[Not from Consensus — model knowledge]` and excluded.
- **Confirm before moving on.** A search isn't complete until response received and inspected.
- **Track three counts.** Queries sent / papers received / papers cited. Surface in audit summary.
- **Surface gaps, don't fill them.** Section with one paper + note about limited results > section padded with fabrications.

## Phase 0: Grill-Me Intake (3 forcing questions)

### Q1 (root) — Syllabus input

> **Provide the syllabus — pick one:**
>
> 1. File path (PDF, DOCX, text) — I'll read it
> 2. Pasted content — paste below
> 3. Image of a printed syllabus — attach the image
>
> *Why I'm asking:* Each format needs a different reader (PDF / DOCX parser / vision). Picking upfront prevents wasted attempts.

Forcing choice. Refuse to start without a syllabus.

### Q2 (depends on Q1) — Course audience

> **Course audience — pick one:**
>
> 1. Undergraduate (intro level)
> 2. Undergraduate (advanced / upper division)
> 3. Graduate (Masters / early PhD)
> 4. Graduate (doctoral / advanced)
> 5. Professional / continuing education
> 6. Mixed
>
> *Why I'm asking:* Audience dictates summary jargon level and discussion-question complexity. Undergrad summaries define every term; grad summaries assume technical fluency. Discussion questions for undergrads test analysis; for grads test critique and extension.

See [`references/audience_calibration.md`](references/audience_calibration.md) for the canon.

### Q3 (depends on Q1) — Year range

> **Year r