Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
English/Creative Writing
Course Title
Creative Writing: Nonfiction
Prefix and Course # CRWR (ENCR) 312
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Cr. Writing: Nonfiction
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New Course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Judy Blunt
Phone/ email :
2275/bluntj@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Jill Bergman
Other affected programs
Date
Dean:
Are other departments/programs affected by this modification Please obtain signature(s) from the
because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
course is interdisciplinary. (http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
Yes. This complies with creative writing workshop series. UM is the CRWR template for CCN.
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. Be sure to include learning outcomes
on syllabus or paste below. The course number may be changed at the system level.
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U 312 Creative Writing: Nonfiction 3 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of
instr. An intermediate nonfiction writing workshop. Students will study nonfiction by reading
professional works, writing their own essays and reviewing peer manuscripts in a workshop setting.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This completes the undergraduate creative writing workshop series for nonfiction [CRWR 212-312-412].
Parallel programs in fiction and poetry have identical offerings in their genre. This brings our CRWR
number into compliance with the common course numbering.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No.
Complete for UG courses (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment - see procedure 301.30
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convented courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by Administration
and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions
according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf . Please
indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
Co-convened
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
YES
NO
From:
To:
Repeatability
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
no
Cross Listing
(primary
program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the
course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
5. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether this change will eliminate the course’s common course
status.
YES NO
yes
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Have you reviewed the graduate
Reference procedure 301.30:
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/
grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
(syllabus required in section V)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form. NOTE: Topics in Techniques courses may vary.
ENCR 312—Intermediate Nonfiction Workshop
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The workshop is our primary focus, and to that end, students will complete 30 pages of nonfiction,
at least two segments of which will be offered for review in workshop. At least one of these
workshop entries must be significantly revised or expanded by the end of the course. A final
portfolio consisting of all work completed in the course of this semester will be due at our finals
week meeting. Your portfolio should include both essays submitted to workshop, the essay
revision, writing assignments and any new materials you submit to meet the page requirement.
Our workshop format is that of a community of writers working to give the most useful feedback on
the fundamental issues of memory, meaning and method in writing from the first-person point of
view. The focus of the workshop will be to assist in revision with an eye toward creating
publishable works. Writers scheduled to workshop will provide the class copies of their essay one
class period in advance. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. Classmates will provide two
copies of their written comments – a minimum of ½ page, single spaced and signed – at the time of
the workshop. The writer will keep one copy and I will keep the other. Constructive criticism of
the story, its diction, organization, development and voice are welcome, but individuals are
responsible for fully editing and proofreading tests so we are not forced to sideline issues of content
and style for those of grammar, syntax and spelling. I expect to see all work formatted for
professional submission: double spaced, 1-inch margins, titled, page numbered, legibly printed in 12
pt. font, no outsized or tiny printing. If the piece is an excerpt of a longer work, note that
information on the front page; otherwise, make no disclaimers to your readers.
Reading/writing assignments: Model essays will be posted on Moodle the Sunday before the
week’s classes begin. Students are responsible for downloading the essay and coming to class
Tuesday prepared to discuss the question(s) posted with the essay. In this way, we will explore
strategies for pacing, chronology, essay structure, genre issues, and development.
Attendance: Given the structure of workshop, it is impossible to ‘make up’ missed classes. After
two absences you will meet with me to discuss the effect this will have on your grade. More than
four absences and you will be asked to drop the course. After the third late arrival, chronically tardy
students will be marked absent.
Grades: Attendance issues aside, high grades will be earned by all students who complete writing
assignments on time; who pull their weight in workshop with respectful, honest, well-reasoned
written and spoken comments; whose contribution to classroom discussions shows thought and
preparation; and who turn in a final portfolio that is complete and reflects a mastery of advanced
nonfiction writing, craft and style.
As the semester progresses, we, as a class, may agree to alter or amend this
syllabus/schedule to suit our changing needs.
Sample Reading List—Model Essays:
Pico Iyer, “Where Worlds Collide”
Judith Ortiz Cofer, “Silent Dancing”
Annie Dillard, “Living Like Weasels”
Frank Conroy, “Running the Table”
Phyllis Barber, “Oh say Can You See?”
Mary Clearman Blew, “The Unwanted Child”
Vicki Hearne, “Can an Ape Tell a Joke”
David Quammen, “Descent of the Dog”
Sherman Alexie, “White Men Can’t Drum”
Leslie Marmon silko, “In the Combat Zone
Phillip Lopate, “What Happened to the Personal Essay?”
Patricia Hampl, “Memory and Imagination
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Revised 5-4-11