For Committee Review: issues that might be disputed or that require judgment

Points Guidelines (If a proposal fails on any one criteria, it still may fail, depending on the issue; for example, a course may be exemplary in every way, but if it is not at all related to the major, it might not pass the criteria.)

8-10 points: Exemplary proposal

5-7   points: Passable

0-4   points: Doesn’t meet committee expectations; doesn’t pass

Relation to the major

0	1	2
Only related loosely; in the same field but not specific to the major; Related but only dealing with genres such as resumes that are taught in a general course	Specific to the field (i.e., engineering) but not the major (i.e. chemical engineering); requires little knowledge of the major; the course is integral to and is prepared specifically for the major	Specific to the major and best taught at the upper division; requires some knowledge of the major

Amount of graded writing required

0	1	2
Less than 2000 words or 8 pages	2000 - 4000 words or 8 -16 pages	4000+ words or 16+ pages OR at least 2000 words (8) pages in a major where brevity is valued

Amount of writing instruction

0	1	2
No instruction—writing is simply assigned	Some instruction, brief amounts of more than one class are devoted to topics related to writing	At least one full class day is devoted to lecture or workshops on writing
No written copies of the assignments provided or minimal written copies of the assignments provided; no grading rubrics or discussion of how writing assignments will be evaluated	Written copies of assignments are provided, with detailed instructions; it is clear how each writing assignment will be evaluated	Written copies of assignments are provided, with detailed instructions; it is clear how each writing assignment will be evaluated; samples of acceptable papers (student or professionally written) are provided
No lectures or class time to discuss writing (audience, format, providing instruction on argument or evidence, documentation, or any relevant topic)	There is some instruction on writing, at least some reading, or lecture, but there is not much active learning (workshops, peer review, discussion of models or drafts)	There is ample instruction on writing including active learning, for example, workshops, peer review, discussion of models or drafts.

Provisions for practice and formative feedback

0	1	2
The only feedback on major writing assignments comes in the form of final grades on writing assignments	Feedback on major writing assignments provided by comments on representative drafts or by peer or self assessment of drafts. There is an opportunity to revise after feedback.	Instructor or teaching assistant provides feedback on drafts for major writing assignments. There is and opportunity to revise after feedback.
No ungraded writing, in-class writing, or drafts of papers are assigned; students don’t get practice and feedback in one type or genre of writing; students don’t get feedback on short sections of a longer paper.	Students write drafts of papers or practice in class; or they write multiple assignments practicing one type or genre of writing, with feedback; or they write short sections of a long paper, with feedback, in preparation for a long paper.	Students write drafts, write in class, keep reading logs or journals or have other opportunities to write. They get practice in writing certain types or genres of papers and in fluency (getting words and ideas on paper).

Collaborative writing (where applicable)

0	1	2
More than 30% of the  graded writing is collaborative	30% of the graded work is collaborative; or 33% of the graded writing is individual, but there are 2000+ words written individually.	Less than 30% of the graded work is collaborative; or, more than 33% of the writing is individual and there are 2000+ words written individually.
There is no mechanism for students to provide feedback on the group processes	There is a mechanism for students to provide feedback on the group processes	There is a mechanism for students to provide feedback on the group processes; they may opt out of group work; remedies are provided for those who are taking on an inordinate amount of the group’s work.
There is no instruction on how to write collaboratively	There is some instruction on writing collaboratively, at least some reading, or brief verbal instructions	There is ample instruction on collaborative writing, including lecture, readings, class discussion, or practice

Name of course:

				Total
Relation to major	0	1	2
Amount of graded writing required	0	1	2
Amount of writing instruction	0	1	2
Practice and Feedback	0	1	2
			Sub total:
Collaboration	0	1	2
			Total score: