On the first day of class, get students in small groups and hand out the course syllabus/outline along with about ten questions on critical points of the syllabus. Have students within their groups divide up the questions. They are then required to find the answers to those questions in their syllabus and then share the answers with their group members so that by the end of the activity each group member has answered all of the questions.
This is a modified “jigsaw”: that is, each partner holds a different piece of information which they must share to complete the “puzzle.” They teacher may then go over the answers on the board and make any clarifications necessary.
This activity accomplishes several goals. First, it gets students to actually read the syllabus, which many don’t necessarily do, so that they are aware of course expectations and there aren’t any surprises. It also sets up the expectations of the class early in other ways: students not only must read in this course, but they must also work together and talk to each other.