Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
English/Irish Studies
Course Title
Prefix and Course
#
ENIR 202
Intermediate Irish II
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Intermediate Irish II
Summarize the change(s) proposed
ENIR 202 – New Course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Traolach O Riordain
Phone/ email :
Traolach.oriordain@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Professor Jill A. Bergman
Other affected programs
None
Dean:
Date
16/9/2011
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)
X
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
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 ENIR 202
Intermediate Irish II
Three Credits
Offered every Fall Semester
Students are required to complete ENIR 201 or its equivalent from another university. Students will expand
their knowledge of Irish language verbs: they will study the five declensions of the nouns; and acquire the
vocabulary and language necessary to engage more abstract ideas and topical issues on an intellectual level.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
The addition of ENIR 202 to the Irish language curriculum is recommended to resolve some current concerns
and to lay the foundations for the development of the Irish Studies program at the University of Montana
[UM]. With respect of current concerns, ENIR 202 will bring to 15 the total number of credits available to
students of the Irish language. This figure is close to the number of credits foreign language students typically
complete in the two-year cycle of study and it will ensure that the curriculum of study in Irish is as
comprehensive as the curricula of the other foreign languages. ENIR 202 is, therefore, important to bringing
parity in the study of foreign language at the University of Montana [UM].
The question of parity also arises in regard to the foreign language requirements of the English Department,
where two years of study of a foreign language are required to satisfy the prerequisites of the major. Under
this formulation a student of Irish need only complete 12 credits of Irish while a student of another foreign
language would have to complete 17 or 18 credits. Attractive as this may be in terms of drawing more
students to the study of Irish, I believe, for a number of reasons, that it may have a negative impact on the
study of Irish in particular and on the study all foreign language in general at UM. I’m particularly concerned
that the two-year, twelve-credit formulation may lead to Irish being perceived as the “soft option.” Irish could
therefore end up attracting students who simply want to fulfill their language requirements and who are not
genuinely interested in the study of the language for intellectual or cultural reasons. Such an occurrence
would serve only to undermine the standards, the commitment to excellence, and the rigorous engagement we
bring to the study of Irish.
I would also be concerned that the two-year, 12-credit model could be perceived as a downgrading or
diminishment of the importance of foreign language study in general. I believe that adding ENIR 202 and
making 15 credits required of students reaffirms the commitment of the University of Montana to the highest
standards of study of foreign languages in general.
The addition of ENIR 202, therefore, guarantees that students of Irish receive the opportunity for as
comprehensive a study of the language as their peers in other foreign languages; it will ensure parity with
other foreign language in terms of credit requirements; and it will reaffirm the university’s commitment to the
highest standard’s in the study of language.
ENIR 202 is also important as we build for the future. The course will bring to five the number of Irish
languages courses taught at UM, making this university the number one in the country in terms of Irish
languages courses taught. ENIR will also lay the foundations for a major in Irish Studies, providing students
with the linguistic skills necessary to engage the literature of Irish in the primary language. It will also
provide students with the linguistic skills to avail of job opportunities in translation in Ireland and the
European Union. The is an area to which the Irish Government has asked we direct immediate attention as
they seek competent translators to work through the vast volume of Irish and European documents that must
be translated into Irish.
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
(http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/gradIncrement.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
To:
Description Change
Repeatability
From:
To:
YES
NO
X
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
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. 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
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Have you reviewed the graduate
Reference guidelines at:
increment guidelines? Please check
(X) space provided.
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees
/grad_council/procedures/gradIncrement.aspx
(syllabus required in section V)
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. 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.
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 9-2010