The purpose of this report is to describe a rationale and strategies for use of the Promising Syllabus (in Bain, 2004, What the best college teachers do). This syllabus reflects the learner-centered paradigm where students take charge of their own learning. The syllabus creates a series of promises between teacher and student, focusing on a question--or questions--of significance the course will help the student answer. Allowing students input into the direction and evaluation of their learning challenges current pedagogy. A Promising Syllabus was used in COM 365, Organizational Communication. This report explores the use of the Promising Syllabus and one teacher's attempt to challenge students to take ownership of their learning experience. (Contains 3 notes.)