Courses

A survey of the major interpretive approaches to literature in contemporary theory and practice, considering the social and intellectual context out of which each approach arises.

This course introduces students to the history, art, and craft of cogent short-form film and television writing. It involves theoretical and applied components. Topics include: concept, conflict, and character development, writing treatments, structure and plot point crafting, genre considerations, theme and character dynamics, mood and stylistic concerns, etc. Selective scripts from the course may be used in advanced production courses.

Playwriting is a workshop course designed for any student interested in developing their storytelling skills by writing for the stage. Students will study major components of playwriting, including dramatic formatting, structure, plot and character development, writing actionable dialogue, analysis, dramaturgy, and more. Students will deepen their understanding of these components and of the creative process through writing exercises, pitching ideas, reading work out loud, and respectfully providing and receiving feedback. By the end of the semester, students will have written one or more plays.

What makes this story so good? Compelling magazine and newspaper writing employs narrative nonfiction's creative tools to bring true stories to life. In this intermediate workshop-style course, students analyze examples of the best published memoir, personal narrative, travel writing, and immersion journalism to interpret the author's craft and formulate aesthetic principles to apply to their own creative work. Students will write several pieces in a variety of non-fiction genres; critique each other's work; revise their own; and perform one piece during the Festival of the Arts, Media + Culture.