Syllabus

Above and beyond a simple list of waza ...

1. Static soft training for beginners to learn shapes (techniques). Beginners study at this level to get the gist of the basic forms.
2. Static hard training to learn to manipulate shapes (techniques). Study at this level for an extended period of time.
3. Intermittent soft dynamic training to develop fluidity. Study occasionally to develop an ultimate goal - but do not stray from reality believeing you can do it just because it seems so easy.
4. Hard dynamic training to learn to deal with power and to add your own to the fluidity of motion. Study at this level for an extended period of time, to shodan and beyond.
5. Determined dynamic strong striking and grabbing attacks - with real purpose to destabilise tori - to learn how to apply the shapes (techniques).
6. Varied timing of attack and response.

In my book I advise to work on hard training for a long time before switching to soft training. What I mean is, hard training against resistance and determined attacks is 100 times more effective and prepares one with an excellent base for soft training. You cannot easily do this in reverse. To be effective, in your early Aikido days, up to say Shodan or beyond, training should focus mostly on overcoming resistance - hard training. Also, one should concentrate on developing fitness and power. Of course, some softer training is always in order, but you cannot really focus on such full-time until the hard training 'restructures' your body.

What does it mean to be Shodan? We make far too much of this in the West. In the East, the Shodan has learned all the basic techniques and is ready to move on. In the West, the Shodan will typically have trained longer and harder. I prefer to think of the learning process along three simple levels.

Incorporating learning in a syllabus

1. Learn all the forms/techniques. (Shodan?)
2. When shown a new principle you slowly learn to apply it to all your techniques. (Nidan?)
3. When shown/discovering a new principle, you can instantly understand and apply it to all your techniques. (Sandan?)
4. Etc.

Note 1: The above is a very different approach to what most Aikidoka would think of as being a syllabus. My suggestion is to try and incorporate 'method' into the 'structure' of your syllabus.
Note 2: Next time you watch a high grade throwing uke about with ease, check and take note of how hard, or not, uke is really trying to grab and/or clobber tori. Most ukes just fly because they feel they are supposed to. I am suggesting you build some sensible resistance into your syllabus, or at least, your training regimen.