J330G Creative Nonfiction

Spring 2023

Professor of Practice:
Kate Winkler Dawson
Cell: 512-799-8848
katedawson@utexas.edu

Lecture: Tuesdays/Thursdays 2:00pm-3:30pm

CMA: 4.152

Office Hours (Zoom):

Mondays (2:00pm-3:30pm)
Tuesdays (3:30pm-5:00pm)

Book spots on:

https://calendly.com/katedawson/kate-dawson-s-office-hours

Grade Breakdown:

Project Pitch: 10 points

Project Outline: 10 points
Rough Cut/Draft: 10 points
Final Assignment: 70 points

Note: I will rarely change grades. I do expect students who want the highest marks
to send me all assignments on time and to keep our regularly scheduled weekly
meetings. I will be taking attendance at the lectures and individual meetings.

Tuesday, January 10th

• Introduction—going over syllabus
• Watch short films
• Homework: review assigned narrative nonfiction articles

1
Tuesday, January 17th
• Discuss assigned narrative nonfiction articles
• Homework: listen to podcasts

Tuesday, January 24th

• Discuss assigned podcasts
• Homework: think about your genre

Tuesday, January 31st

• Narrowing down your chosen genre—how to select a project that’s right for
you
• Homework: prepare to pitch next week

Tuesday, February 7th

• Pitch story ideas in class (for grade)

Tuesday, February 14th

• Researching your subject
• Guest speaker, nonfiction expert

Tuesday, February 21st

• INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK (UPDATES)

Tuesday, February 28th

• INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK (UPDATES)

Tuesday, March 7th

• Delving into sensitive subjects
• Guest Speaker: Bryan Burrough

SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, March 21st

• Reveal outlines in class (for grade)

2
Tuesday, March 28th
• Discuss rough projects in class (for grade)

Tuesday, April 4th

• Individual meetings

Tuesday, April 11th

• Individual meetings

Tuesday, April 18th

• LAST DAY IN CLASS: Final Unveiling of Projects