Screenwriting, B.A. | Academic Catalog

Program Details

Department: Screenwriting
Modality: In-Person
Concentrations: n/a
Semester Hours: 43-44

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 and 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.

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
Lower Division Requirements
Foundations
SCWR 1120	Storytelling for the Screen	4
FTVS 1010	Art of Cinema	4
Select one of the following:		4
PROD 1010	Production Bootcamp (or)
FTVS 2117	World Cinema 2 (1955-1990) (or)
any FTVS 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course
Preparing the First Feature
SCWR 2220	Feature Story Development ¹	4
Upper Division Requirements
Intermediate Coursework
SCWR 3320	Feature Scrnplay: First Draft	4
SCWR 3321	Rewriting Feature Screenplay	4
Any Upper Division (3000- or 4000-level) FTVS course		4
Advanced Coursework
SCWR 4440	Senior Project: Feature	4
or SCWR 4450	Senior Project: TV Pilot
SCWR 4441	Rewrtg Senior Project: Feature (OR)	4
or SCWR 4451	Rewrtg Senior Project: TV
SCWR 4428	Adaptation: Source to Screen	4
Any one SCWR 38XX or SCWR 48XX		3 or 4
Total Semester Hours		43-44

¹: SCWR 2220 Feature Story Development, SCWR 2525 Wrtg Comedy TV Series Spec, SCWR 2526 Wrtg the Drama TV Series Spec should not be taken concurrently.

It is recommended to take 15 - 16 semester hours per semester to reach the required 120 semester hours to graduate. Please note this can vary from 4 - 5 classes per semester depending on your total semester hours.
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 all graduation requirements are fulfilled.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Semester Hours
SCWR 1120	Storytelling for the Screen	4
FTVS 1010	Art of Cinema ¹	4
FFYS 1000	First Year Seminar	4
University Core		3-4
	Semester Hours	15-16
Spring
RHET 1000	Rhetorical Arts	4
Select one of the following:		4
PROD 1010	Production Bootcamp
FTVS 2117	World Cinema 2 (1955-1990) ²
or any FTVS 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
Sophomore Year
Fall
SCWR 2220	Feature Story Development ³	4
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Spring
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective ⁴		3-4
Any FTVS 3000- or FTVS 4000-level course		4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Junior Year
Fall
SCWR 3320	Feature Scrnplay: First Draft	4
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Screenwriting Elective (SCWR 38XX or SCWR 48XX) ⁵		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Spring
SCWR 3321	Rewriting Feature Screenplay	4
University Core		3-4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
Senior Year
Fall
SCWR 4428	Adaptation: Source to Screen	4
SCWR 4420 or SCWR 4440 or SCWR 4450	Senior Proj: Feat or TV Pilot or Senior Project: Feature or Senior Project: TV Pilot	4
University Core		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	14-16
Spring
SCWR 4421 or SCWR 4441 or SCWR 4451	Rewriting Senior Writing Project: Feature or Rewrtg Senior Project: Feature or Rewrtg Senior Project: TV	4
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
Elective		3-4
	Semester Hours	13-16
	Minimum Semester Hours	108-128

¹: Can be taken Fall or Spring.
²: FTVS 2117 or any FTVS 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level course can be taken either Fall or Spring term after Freshman year.
³: Can be taken Fall or Spring Sophomore year.
⁴: SCWR 2525 or SCWR 2526 can satisfy the University Creative Core requirement. Either of these courses is also a required pre-requisite for students wanting to write a TV pilot for their Senior project (SCWR 4450).
⁵: The required Screenwriting elective can be taken in this or any subsequent semester.