Under Review
The 2023-2024 requirements are not yet finalized and are subject to change so long as this notice is in place. While the information presented is generally reliable, you should confirm the information later this summer when requirements are finalized.The Media School
Specialization in Screenwriting (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements MDAS31
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Foundations. One (1) course:
- MSCH-D 337 Digital Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-P 331 Scriptwriting
- MSCH-P 431 Feature Film Screenwriting
- MSCH-P 432 TV Series Writing
- MSCH-P 452 Topical Seminar in Design and Production (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-V 470 Issues in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-D 337 Digital Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 101 with a grade of C- or higher; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Develops frameworks for understanding new media technologies in social contexts. Compares computing, networked digital media, and social media to prior eras of technological change, focusing on interactions among technological, industrial, regulatory, social, and cultural forces.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
MSCH-F 392 Media Genres
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topic varies. Analysis of typical genres, such as westerns, situation comedies, documentaries, etc. Problems of generic description or definition: themes, conventions, iconography peculiar to given genres.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 392 and MSCH-F 392.
- Fall 2023CASE AHcourseSummer 2023CASE AHcourse
MSCH-P 331 Scriptwriting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 221, MSCH-C 223, or MSCH-C 250; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Introductory course covering formal elements of Hollywood-style narrative screenwriting, focusing on screenplay format, stages of story development, story structure, character arcs, plotting, conflict, theme, point-of-view, dialogue, subtext, and scene description. Analyzes distinctions between literary writing and screenwriting.
MSCH-P 431 Feature Film Screenwriting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- of higher in MSCH-P 331; or consent of the instructor
- Description
- Builds on the foundations of MSCH-P 331, by focusing on the creation of original, feature-length Hollywood style narrative screenplays. Workshops delve deeper into genre conventions, story structure, character development, plotting, conflict, theme, point of view, dialogue, and sub text.
MSCH-P 432 TV Series Writing
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-P 331; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Builds on the foundations of MSCH-P 331, by focusing on the development process and writing of a long form narrative series, including the creation of a series bible, an outline for the first season, and a written and revised pilot episode for an original series.
MSCH-P 452 Topical Seminar in Design and Production
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 223 or TEL-T 206; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Exploration of design or production problems and issues in telecommunications. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics in MSCH-P 452 and TEL-T 452.
MSCH-V 470 Issues in Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Seminar exploring new developments and advanced research in media.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
- Electives. Two (2) courses:
- Additional course(s) from the Foundations list above
- Three (3) credit hours from the following:
- MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- MSCH-X 474 Journalism Internship
- One (1) of the following:
- THTR-T 458 Screenwriting
- THTR-T 483 Topics in Theatre and Drama (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; at least 12 credit hours completed in the school; and application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Faculty-supervised work in a media field related to student's academic interests. Credits based on at least 45 work hours per credit hour with a maximum of 6 credit hours applied toward the B.A. in Media or the B.S. in Game Design. Student must write a critical analysis paper and be evaluated by a workplace supervisor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 382, MSCH-I 382, MSCH-I 497, MSCH-X 472, or TEL-T 497.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
MSCH-X 474 Journalism Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Approval for a College Career Internship
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Supervised internship working in a journalism or media-related role with a professional media organization.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
THTR-T 458 Screenwriting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Structural analyses of cinematic models, culminating in the creation of an original full-length narrative screenplay.
THTR-T 483 Topics in Theatre and Drama
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Studies in special topics not ordinarily covered in other departmental courses.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit up to four times with different topics.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.