Screenwriting, B.A. | Academic Catalog

Learning Outcomes of the B.A. Program in Screenwriting

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of storytelling required for film, television, and new and emerging media by developing a portfolio of screenplays and teleplays in which structure, character development, dialogue, tone, and theme are clearly demonstrated.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of industry standard communication through the practice ad execution of pitching and oral/written presentation.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of why diverse stories matter, the value of ethical and humanistic themes, and the importance of constructive collaboration in the writer’s room.

Screenwriting Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
Lower Division Requirements
Foundations
SCWR 120	Storytelling for the Screen	3
FTVS 1010	Art of Cinema	4
PROD 101	Production Bootcamp: The Film Crew at Work	3
Preparing the First Feature
SCWR 220	Feature Story Development ¹	3
Select one of the following:		4
FTVS 2117	World Cinema 2 (1955-1990)
any FTVS 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course
*Subtotal*		17
Upper Division Requirements
Intermediate Coursework
Any Upper Division FTVS course		4
SCWR 320	Feature Screenplay: Writing the First Draft	3
SCWR 325	Writing the Comedy TV Series Spec ¹	3
or SCWR 326	Writing the Drama TV Series Spec
SCWR 321	Rewriting the Feature Screenplay	3
SCWR 329	Directing for Screenwriters	3
Advanced Coursework
SCWR 420	Writing the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot	3
or SCWR 440 FEATURE
or SCWR 450 TV PILOT
SCWR 421	Rewriting the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot	3
or SCWR 441 FEATURE
or SCWR 451 TV PILOT
SCWR 428	Adaptation: From Source to Screen	3
*Subtotal*		25
Total Semester Hours		42

¹: SCWR 220 Feature Story Development, SCWR 325 Writing the Comedy TV Series Spec, SCWR 326 Writing the Drama TV Series Spec should not be taken concurrently

Screenwriting Model Four-Year Plan

Normal course load is 15 semester hours or 4-5 courses per semester.
Consult your advisor regarding proper course sequencing and course selection for the major.
Suggested sequence, but students may take courses in a modified order with written permission of the chair and Assistant Dean.
Each student is responsible for ensuring she/he fulfills all graduation requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Semester Hours
SCWR 120	Storytelling for the Screen ¹	3
FTVS 1010	Art of Cinema ¹	4
FFYS 1000	First Year Seminar	4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	17-19
Spring
PROD 101	Production Bootcamp: The Film Crew at Work ¹	3
RHET 1000	Rhetorical Arts	3-4
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	15-19
Sophomore Year
Fall
SCWR 220	Feature Story Development ¹	3
FTVS 2117 World Cinema 2 (1955-1990) 4 semester hours or any FTVS 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course ¹		4
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-15
Spring
Any 3000- or 4000-level FTVS course 4 semester hours ¹		4
SCWR 325 or SCWR 326	Writing the Comedy TV Series Spec (can be taken Fall or Spring, Sophomore or Junior year) or Writing the Drama TV Series Spec	3
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-15
Junior Year
Fall
SCWR 329	Directing for Screenwriters (can be taken Fall or Spring) ¹	3
SCWR 320	Feature Screenplay: Writing the First Draft	3
University Core		3-4
Elective
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	12-14
Spring
SCWR 321	Rewriting the Feature Screenplay	3
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	12-15
Senior Year
Fall
SCWR 428	Adaptation: From Source to Screen ¹	3
SCWR 420 or SCWR 440 FEATURE or SCWR 450 TV PILOT	Writing the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot or or	3
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	12-14
Spring
SCWR 421 or SCWR 441 FEATURE or SCWR 451 TV PILOT	Rewriting the Senior Project: Feature Screenplay or TV Pilot or or	3
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	12-15
	Minimum Semester Hours	106-126

¹: Can be taken Fall or Spring