KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE PROPOSAL OR REVISION,
Cover Sheet (10/02/2002)
Course Number/Program Name PRWR 6255: Grant and Proposal Writing/MAPW
Department English
Degree Title (if applicable)
Proposed Effective Date Summer 2013
Check one or more of the following and complete the appropriate sections:
X New Course Proposal
Course Title Change
Course Number Change
Course Credit Change
Course Prerequisite Change
Course Description Change
Sections to be Completed
II, III, IV, V, VII
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
Notes:
If proposed changes to an existing course are substantial (credit hours, title, and description), a new course with a
new number should be proposed.
A new Course Proposal (Sections II, III, IV, V, VII) is required for each new course proposed as part of a new
program. Current catalog information (Section I) is required for each existing course incorporated into the
program.
Minor changes to a course can use the simplified E-Z Course Change Form.
Submitted by:
Approved
Elizabeth J. Giddens
Faculty Member
3/29/12
Date
Not Approved
Department Curriculum Committee Date
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved
Not Approved
Department Chair
Date
College Curriculum Committee
Date
College Dean
Date
GPCC Chair
Date
Dean, Graduate College
Date
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Not Approved
Vice President for Academic Affairs Date
Approved
Not Approved
President
Date
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE/CONCENTRATION/PROGRAM CHANGE
I.
Current Information (Fill in for changes)
Page Number in Current Catalog
___
Course Prefix and Number
___
Course Title
___
Class Hours
____Laboratory Hours_______Credit Hours________
Prerequisites
___
Description (or Current Degree Requirements)
II.
Proposed Information (Fill in for changes and new courses)
Course Prefix and Number _PRWR 6255___________________________
Course Title Grant & Proposal Writing________
___________
Class Hours
3-0-3 ____Laboratory Hours___0____CreditHours____3____
Prerequisites Admission to the MAPW Program or permission of the MAPW
Director
Description (or Proposed Degree Requirements)
This course focuses on types of proposals and grant applications written
by businesses and nonprofit organizations. Students research, plan, draft,
and finalize a business sales proposal, a letter proposal to a foundation,
and a grant application to a government agency. These service-learning
assignments involve students in working with actual organizations and/or
clients and in collaborating with classmates. Students will learn about the
careers available to professional writers who specialize in proposal and
grant writing.
III.
Justification
This course has been taught twice previously as a special topics course
(PRWR 7900) and once as 7500: Advanced Applied Writing . In all cases,
the course has drawn high student enrollment from the MAPW Program
as well as from other graduate programs, including the MPA and MBA
programs. Many students recognize that skill in writing grants and
proposals will be part of their professional lives no matter what their
career discipline or focus. All professional writers write proposals and
grants at some point in their careers. In addition, the course opens a
career track for professional writing students because many nonprofit,
government, and business organizations employ grant and proposal
writers as specialists. Consequently, this course is an important careeroriented course for MAPW, as well as for other graduate students.
Moreover, the course is critical for students pursuing the applied
concentration in the MAPW Program.
IV.
Additional Information (for New Courses only)
Instructor: Elizabeth Giddens
Texts: Freed, Richard C. and Joe Romano. Writing Winning Business Proposals: Your
Guide to Landing the Client, Making the Sale and Persuading Your Boss. 3rd ed.
New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Geever, Jane C. The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing. 5th ed. New York:
Foundation Center, 2007.
Margolin, Judith B., Ed. The Grantseeker’s Guide to Winning Proposals. New York:
Foundation Center, 2008.
Miner, Lynn E. and Jeremy T. Miner. Proposal Planning and Writing. 3rd ed. Westport,
CT: Greenwood Press, 2003.
Prerequisites: Admission to the MAPW Program or permission of the MAPW
Director
Objectives:
1. Develop, articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the purposes of proposals,
grant applications, grant letters, and other fundraising documents within
organizations, industries, and disciplines.
2. Examine the processes of proposal and grant writing, including developing
relationships with funders, developing a proposal and project team, designing the
project, and responding to reviewers.
3. Practice researching, planning, drafting, revising, and managing various proposal
types for organizations.
4. Critique proposal and grant documents produced by corporate, nonprofit, and
governmental organizations to identify successful content, organizational strategies,
language, and use of graphical elements.
5. Learn to collaborate with colleagues, clients, fellow writers, designers, and printers.
6. Increase one’s mastery of style, grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling.
Instructional Method
Writing workshop, lecture, discussion, and peer review.
Method of Evaluation
All graded course assignments will be given a letter grade and a matching numerical
grade on a 100-point scale. The numerical grade will be used to calculate your course
grade at the end of the semester. The following table shows the weight of all course
assignments
Task
1. Memo describing plans for Projects 1-3#
2. Project 1: Business proposal (worksheets, drafts, final document, and
“Green Team Review” presentation) #
3. Project 2: Letter proposal to a foundation or other private funder #
4. Proposal critique and presentation*
5. Project 3: Government proposal (checklist, list of questions, drafts,
and final document)*
7. Worksheets, notes, outlines, critiques, and/or drafts
Percent of Course
Grade
5
25 (20 percent for document & 5 percent
for presentation)
30
15
25
Ungraded but required
V.
Resources and Funding Required (New Courses only)
Resource
Amount
Faculty
Other Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
New Books
New Journals
Other (Specify)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
0
Funding Required Beyond
Normal Departmental Growth
0
VI. COURSE MASTER FORM
This form will be completed by the requesting department and will be sent to the Office of the
Registrar once the course has been approved by the Office of the President.
The form is required for all new courses.
DISCIPLINE
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE FOR LABEL
(Note: Limit 30 spaces)
CLASS-LAB-CREDIT HOURS
Approval, Effective Term
Grades Allowed (Regular or S/U)
If course used to satisfy CPC, what areas?
Learning Support Programs courses which are
required as prerequisites
MAPW
PRWR 6255
Grant Prop Writ
3-0-3
Spring 2013
Regular
N/A
N/A
APPROVED:
________________________________________________
Vice President for Academic Affairs or Designee __
VII Attach Syllabus
PRWR 6255: Grant and Proposal Writing
Dr. Beth Giddens
Office: English Building 265; 770/423-6766
E-mail: egiddens@kennesaw.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays 3:30-5:00 and by appointment
Class Meeting: Mondays 6:30-9:15 p.m., EB 266
Required Texts
Freed, Richard C. and Joe Romano. Writing Winning Business Proposals: Your Guide to
Landing the Client, Making the Sale and Persuading Your Boss. 3rd ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Geever, Jane C. The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing. 5th ed. New York:
Foundation Center, 2007.
Margolin, Judith B., Ed. The Grantseeker’s Guide to Winning Proposals. New York: Foundation
Center, 2008.
Miner, Lynn E. and Jeremy T. Miner. Proposal Planning and Writing. 3rd ed. Westport, CT:
Greenwood Press, 2003.
Recommended Texts
Barbato, Joseph and Danielle S. Furlich. Writing for a Good Cause: The Complete Guide to
Crafting Proposals and Other Persuasive Pieces for Nonprofits. New York: Fireside,
2000.
Houp, Kenneth W., et al. Reporting Technical Information. New York: Oxford University Press,
2006.
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. New York: Associated Press, 1997.
2006.
Course description: This course focuses on types of proposals and grant applications written by businesses and
nonprofit organizations. Students will research, plan, draft, and finalize a business sales proposal, a letter proposal to
a foundation, and a proposal or grant application to a government agency. These service-learning assignments will
involve students in working with actual organizations and/or clients and in collaborating with classmates. Also,
students will learn about the careers available to professional writers who specialize in proposal and grant writing.
Course Objectives
1. Develop, articulate and demonstrate an understanding of the purposes of proposals, grant
applications, grant letters, and other fundraising documents within organizations,
industries, and disciplines.
2. Examine the processes of proposal and grant writing, including developing relationships
with funders, developing a proposal and project team, designing the project, and
responding to reviewers.
3. Practice researching, planning, drafting, revising, and managing various proposal types
for organizations.
4. Critique proposal and grant documents produced by corporate, nonprofit, and
governmental organizations to identify successful content, organizational strategies,
language, and use of graphical elements.
5. Learn to collaborate with colleagues, clients, fellow writers, designers, and printers.
6. Increase one’s mastery of style, grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling.
Course Prerequisite Admission to the MAPW program or permission of the graduate program director.
Tentative Schedule
Aug.
22
Course introduction. Discussion of course concepts and assignments.
29
Sept.
5
Introduction to proposals. Discuss Projects 1-3
Read Miner & Miner ch. 1; Freed, Freed & Romano pp xiii-8; Geever v-xv
Labor Day Holiday; No class meeting.
12
Memo proposing a plan for Projects 1-3 due.
Read Freed, Freed & Romano introduction, Parts 1(ch. 1-5) and Appendices A, C, and G.
19
Work session on Project 1 (Business Proposal).
Read Freed, Freed & Romano Part 2 (ch. 6-8) and Appendices B and H.
Complete worksheets in Appendix B of Freed, Freed, & Romano.
26 Work session on Project 1 (Business Proposal).
Working draft of Project 1 due at end of class.
Read Freed, Freed & Romano Part 3 (ch. 9-14) and skim Appendices D-F.
Schedule Green Team Reviews.
Oct.
3 Discuss Project 2 (Proposal Letter) and begin Green Team Reveiws.
Read Miner & Miner ch. 3 & 5-6; Geever ch. 1-5 and 11-12.
Sign up for proposal critique presentations.
Project 1 “Green Team Reviews”: 1.____________________
2.____________________
3.____________________
4.____________________
5.____________________
10 Discuss questions on Project 2 (Proposal Letter) and complete Green Team Reviews.
Read Geever ch. 6-10.
Project 1 “Green Team Reviews”: 1.____________________
2.____________________
3.____________________
4.____________________
5.____________________
17 Critique sample letter proposals. Work session on Project 2 (Letter Proposal).
Project 1 (Business Proposal) due.
Read Margolin vii-xx, ch. 10; Geever ch. 13-14 and Appendix A.
24 Guest lecture: Ms. Deborah Smith, Grants and Contracts Specialist, KSU College of
Humanities and Social Sciences
Critique sample proposals. Discuss Project 3 (Govt. Proposal).
Read selections from Margolin to be announced by presenters; read Miner & Miner ch. 2 &
4.
Proposal critiques: 1.____________________
2.____________________
3.____________________
4.____________________
31 Critique sample proposals. Decide on Project 3 details (Govt. Proposal). Discuss problem
statements; goals, objectives, and outcomes; methods, and evaluation.
Read selections from Margolin to be announced by presenters; read Miner & Miner ch.7-10.
Complete draft of letter proposal due at beginning of class.
Proposal critiques: 1.____________________
2.____________________
3.____________________
4.____________________
Nov.
7 Final work session on Project 2 (Letter Proposal). Discuss dissemination, budgets,
appendixes, abstracts, and final steps.
Read Miner & Miner ch. 11-16
Proposal critiques: 1.____________________
2.____________________
14 Work session on Project 3 (Govt. Proposal).
Project 2 (Proposal letter) due at beginning of class.
Final checklist for Project 3 and list of questions that need research and/or answers due
at end of class.
21 Work session on Project 3 (Govt. Proposal).
Working draft of Project 3 (Govt. Proposal) due at beginning of class.
28 Work session on Project 3 (Govt. Proposal).
Complete draft of Project 3 (Govt. Proposal) due at end of class.
Dec.
5 Project 3 (Govt. Proposal) due.
Discussion of government grant projects.
12 Exam period: 6:30-8:30.
Course Assignments
The assignments for this course consist of four projects. We will discuss assignments at length during class. I
encourage you to ask questions about assignments. Indeed, it is your responsibility as a student to make sure that
you understand all assignments. The following table displays course assignments and their weight for the
computation of a course grade.
Percent of Course
Task
Grade
1. Memo describing plans for Projects 1-3#
5
2. Project 1: Business proposal (worksheets, drafts, final document, and 25 (20 percent for document & 5 percent
“Green Team Review” presentation) #
for presentation)
3. Project 2: Letter proposal to a foundation or other private funder #
30
4. Proposal critique and presentation*
15
5. Project 3: Government proposal (checklist, list of questions, drafts,
25
and final document)*
7. Worksheets, notes, outlines, critiques, and/or drafts
Ungraded**
#This assignment is an individual assignment to be completed by each student alone. If a team of students (2
students) is collaborating on Projects 2 & 4; Project 3 must be done separately by each individual although it may
be written for the same client. Each Project 3 proposal should be addressed to a unique foundation.
*This assignment may be undertaken by a team of students. All team members will be given the same grade for
their work; however, at the end of the course team member will evaluate each other’s participation and
performance. Team evaluations may raise or lower individual grades by 10 points.
**Ungraded assignments must be submitted by the due date. If not, a student's course grade will be docked by 10
percent per assignment. This rule applies to both individual and team tasks.
Grading
All graded course assignments will be given a letter grade and a matching numerical grade on a 100-point scale. The
numerical grade will be used to calculate your course grade at the end of the semester. I will use the following scale
to assign numerical grades:
Letter Grades
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Scale for Numerical Grades
100-95
90-94
89-87
86-84
83-80
79-77
76-74
73-70
69-67
66-64
63-60
59 and below
Late work: Except in extraordinary circumstances, late work will not be accepted. My reason for this policy is that
you will have ample time to work on assignments both in and out of class. If an emergency keeps you from turning
in an assignment on the due date, it is your responsibility to notify me of the problem as soon as possible. I will
determine a timetable for handing in the missing work that will be fair both to you and your classmates.
Graded assignments that are not turned in or are turned in late without the excuse of exceptional circumstances will
be given a grade of F and a numerical grade of zero.
Professional writing standards: A given of all professional-quality writing is its correctness and clarity.
Consequently, I expect all students to achieve a baseline of grammatical and stylistic competence on all
assignments. Particular attention will be paid to grammar, style, and format in graded assignments. Though content
is the most significant determinant of an assignment’s grade, format and style must also be of professional quality.
Particularly egregious errors include fragments, fused sentences, verb and pronoun agreement errors, comma splices,
incorrect apostrophe use, and the absence of needed apostrophes. Work marred by these errors or by numerous
misspellings will not receive a grade above C+. Students also need to revise and edit finished work so that it is clear
and graceful. Consequently, students are expected to strive for precise diction and pronoun reference. Work marred
by significant diction and usage errors will not receive a grade above B+.
If a student needs help recognizing grammar and usage errors, he or she should consult with me and consider
visiting the English Department’s writing center for individualized tutoring.
Graduate School Policy on Incomplete Grades
In order to receive a grade of incomplete, a student must have completed over half (i.e. 65 percent in this course) of
the work for the course and have encountered an emergency (for example, serious illness or death in the family) that
prevents the student from finishing the final assignment.
Also, the Graduate School has set strict rules for the removal of incompletes. Graduate students who receive a grade
of incomplete must complete the work by the end of the term after the grade is received in order to receive a passing
grade, even if the student is not enrolled that term. Incompletes automatically turn into F grades after the subsequent
semester.
Attendance and Class Activities
Because this class is taught as a writing workshop, you are expected to attend every class. You are also expected to
come prepared to discuss the day's reading, to participate in group work and peer review, and to work on your
assignments during class time. I will take attendance every meeting; you will be counted absent if you are more than
15 minutes late to a class meeting. The class will begin promptly at 6:30p.m. If you arrive late, you will need to
catch up on your own; we will not repeat announcements or discussions that you missed.
If you miss more than a total of three classes without the excuse of exceptional circumstances (for which we will
make individual plans), your final grade will be docked by 10 percent.
Changes to the syllabus or to course policies
The class schedule above is subject to change if circumstances make adjustments necessary or wise. In addition, I
reserve the right to alter the syllabus and course policies in order to reasonably accommodate individual disabled
students; alterations made for disabled students may not be made available to the entire class. However, I will make
sure that all students are treated fairly.
Use of cell phones, pagers, e-mail and the Internet
Turn cell phones and pagers off before class begins. You will not be allowed to talk on the phone or access
messages during class. Once class has begun, you will not be allowed to read, write, or send e-mail on the classroom
computers or to browse the Internet even if the class is having a workshop.
Disability Statement:
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet the
course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to arrange the necessary accommodations.
Students should present appropriate verification from KSU disAbled Student Support Services. No requirement
exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved University process. DisAbled Student
Services can be reached here: http://www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/dsss/dsss.html or Ph: 770-423-6443, Fax: 770-4236667, 770-423-6480TTY
Student Conduct Statements
KSU’s Full Code of Conduct is Located Here:
http://www.kennesaw.edu/scai/code_of_conduct.shtml - ii
Key Excerpts from the Code of Conduct:
II. Academic Honesty
The high quality of education at Kennesaw State University is reflected in the credits and degrees its
students earn. The protection of these high standards is crucial since the validity and equity of the
University's grades and degrees depend upon it. Any student found to have violated any KSU academic
honesty regulation after a hearing before a university hearing panel or before the Vice President for Student
Success and Enrollment Services (or his/her designee) shall be suspended for at least one semester, unless
the student persuades the deciding body that the circumstances of his or her behavior substantially mitigate
the gravity of the violation. These regulations are designed to assist students in (1) developing appropriate
attitudes about, and (2) understanding and following the university’s standards relating to academic
honesty. The regulations protect students by helping them avoid committing infractions that may
compromise the completion of their KSU degrees or damage their reputations.
Plagiarism and Cheating
No student shall receive, attempt to receive, knowingly give or attempt to give unauthorized assistance in
the preparation of any work required to be submitted for credit as part of a course (including examinations,
laboratory reports, essays, themes, term papers, etc.). When direct quotations are used, they should be
indicated, and when the ideas, theories, data, figures, graphs, programs, electronic based information or
illustrations of someone other than the student are incorporated into a paper or used in a project, they
should be duly acknowledged.
Disruption of Campus Life:
It is the purpose of the institution to provide a campus environment which encourages academic
accomplishment, personal growth, and a spirit of understanding and cooperation. An important part of
maintaining such an environment is the commitment to protect the health and safety of every member of
the campus community. Belligerent, abusive, profane, threatening and/or inappropriate behavior on the part
of students is a violation of the Kennesaw State University Student Conduct Regulations. Students who are
found responsible for such misconduct may be subject to immediate dismissal from the institution. In
addition, university disciplinary proceedings may be instituted against a student charged with a violation of
a law which is also a violation of this student code without regard to the pendency of civil litigation in court
or criminal arrest and prosecution. Proceedings under this student code of conduct may be carried out prior
to, simultaneously with, or following civil or criminal proceedings off-campus.
KSU Policy and Position Statements
(taken from the Faculty Handbook)
Intellectual Diversity Statement:
Kennesaw State University is an educational community comprised of individuals from different ethnic, racial and
religious groups and of different genders, political beliefs, ages, abilities and sexual orientations. In light of this
diversity, Kennesaw State University is resolved to contribute to the development of an integrated, pluralistic society
in which individuals model and support humaneness and respect for the individual. Kennesaw State University is
committed to a diversity of intellectual viewpoints. We trust in a genuine free marketplace of ideas where faculty
and students are encouraged to express their considered opinions openly. We further believe that this intellectual
exchange is healthy, democratic and produces new insights. The exchange of ideas is also a splendid means of
encouraging “critical thinking” as long as it is conducted within an atmosphere that respects the dignity of all
concerned. The University is committed to providing quality education, which is enhanced by the perspectives
provided by individuals and groups with varying backgrounds and views. Racism, sexism and other discriminatory
attitudes and behaviors impede learning and working. Conversely, respect for differences enhances educational and
work experiences. Kennesaw State University is dedicated to creating an environment that cherishes and nourishes
this diversity.
Kennesaw State University Diversity Vision Statement
It is our vision to create a strong multicultural and diverse educational environment at KSU in order to increase
student satisfaction and to promote an understanding and awareness of people from various backgrounds upon
graduation. In this way, KSU students will be educated for, and can effectively compete in, the global society.
KSU Position Statement on Environmental Awareness:
Kennesaw State University endeavors to encourage in each student, faculty, staff member and the community a
respect for the worth of the environment and a desire and capacity to recycle, to conserve energy and to take other
measures to help conserve limited resources. This institution focuses on developing an environmental ethic that
promotes excellence, responsibility and stewardship in environmental affairs and is committed to educating the
community about environmental issues.
Various Student Resources
KSU Writing Center: http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter/
Phone: (770) 423-6380
Sturgis Library: http://www.kennesaw.edu/library/ (Phone: 770-423-6202)