Search Results

Catalog Description Also known as ENGL 9 Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL C1000 with grade of "C" or better Hours: 54 lecture Description: This is a creative writing course focused on scriptwriting intended for dramatic production with an emphasis on format, structure, plot, character, and writing style. Students will critically analyze professional models, view excellent examples of scriptwriting, and work on their own projects, which may include a one-act play, playwriting, and screenwriting. Students will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued in a workshop setting. (CSU) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Evaluate professional scripts: identifying, interpretating, and analyzing the fundamentals of scriptwriting through a variety of forms, styles, and genres. CSLO #2: Apply story structure, character development, dialogue, plotting, and formatting while writing college-level scripts. CSLO #3: Discuss, critique, revise, and edit original scripts through peer review workshops. Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to: Describe the fundamental elements of scriptwriting. Describe the evolution of the script from amphitheater to stage to film.  Analyze professional stage plays and screenplays, focusing on elements of effective visual storytelling and dramatic development. Appraise fellow students’ scriptwriting considering strength of structure, conflict, dialogue, character development, thematic development, and visual storytelling. Apply the fundamental elements of storytelling in a diverse portfolio of original scriptwriting work. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Arts and Humanities CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: Guided by the instructor, students will engage in close reading of selected scripts to identify elements of scriptwriting to be applied to their own original work. Objective Examinations Example: Students will identify literary and scriptwriting terms to match with corelating definitions and/or exemplary literary passages. Projects Example: Students will submit at least three college-level scripts in a final portfolio. The portfolio will contain a total of 25-30 pages of revised scriptwriting. Skill Demonstrations Example: Student will produce short, descriptive in-class writing to demonstrate an understanding of and ability to describe a scene, create a setting, develop a specific character, construct dialogue, and so on. Instructor will provide appropriate examples to model these skills. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor will provide a history of the stage play, from Sophocles to Shakespeare to Lin-Manual Miranda. The class discusses their experiences reading plays and watching plays in live theater. Distance Learning Instructor will demonstrate and oversee student analysis and evaluation of student writing, incorporating terms, concepts, and standards covered in lecture and discussion. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments Read "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder (Chapters 1–3) and watch the short film "Lights Out." What does Snyder mean by the "Save the Cat" moment? Identify the "Save the Cat" moment in "Lights Out." How does it shape our perception of the character? Writing, Problem Solving or Performance Write a short scene where two characters want different things, allowing their agendas to emerge through dialogue, emphasizing subtext and emotional shifts. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Complete a final portfolio of college-level, original scriptwriting demonstrating thorough knowledge of script style/format, central conflict, plot arc, complex character development, effective dialogue, developed themes, and visual storytelling in a comprehensive final portfolio. Required Materials Finish the Script! Author: Scott King Publisher: CreateSpace Publication Date: 2013 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The Complete Book of Scriptwriting Author: J. Michael Straczynski Publisher: Writer's Digest Publication Date: 2002 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: FADE IN: A Guide to Screenwriting Basics Author: Candance Rose Publisher: Creative Commons Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: https://una.pressbooks.pub/fade-in/ PLAYWRITING Author: Shannon Dollar Publisher: Creative Commons Publication Date: 2023 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/105627/overview Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

Catalog Description Also known as AAD 9 Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL C1000 with grade of "C" or better Hours: 54 lecture Description: This is a creative writing course focused on scriptwriting intended for dramatic production with an emphasis on format, structure, plot, character, and writing style. Students will critically analyze professional models, view excellent examples of scriptwriting, and work on their own projects, which may include a one-act play, playwriting, and screenwriting. Students will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued in a workshop setting. (CSU) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Evaluate professional scripts: identifying, interpretating, and analyzing the fundamentals of scriptwriting through a variety of forms, styles, and genres. CSLO #2: Apply story structure, character development, dialogue, plotting, and formatting while writing college-level scripts. CSLO #3: Discuss, critique, revise, and edit original scripts through peer review workshops. Effective Term Fall 2026 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to: Describe the fundamental elements of scriptwriting. Describe the evolution of the script from amphitheater to stage to film.  Analyze professional stage plays and screenplays, focusing on elements of effective visual storytelling and dramatic development. Appraise fellow students’ scriptwriting considering strength of structure, conflict, dialogue, character development, thematic development, and visual storytelling. Apply the fundamental elements of storytelling in a diverse portfolio of original scriptwriting work. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Arts and Humanities CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) Articulation Information CSU Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: Guided by the instructor, students will engage in close reading of selected scripts to identify elements of scriptwriting to be applied to their own original work. Objective Examinations Example: Students will identify literary and scriptwriting terms to match with corelating definitions and/or exemplary literary passages. Projects Example: Students will submit at least three college-level scripts in a final portfolio. The portfolio will contain a total of 25-30 pages of revised scriptwriting. Skill Demonstrations Example: Student will produce short, descriptive in-class writing to demonstrate an understanding of and ability to describe a scene, create a setting, develop a specific character, construct dialogue, and so on. Instructor will provide appropriate examples to model these skills. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor will provide a history of the stage play, from Sophocles to Shakespeare to Lin-Manual Miranda. The class discusses their experiences reading plays and watching plays in live theater. Distance Learning Instructor will demonstrate and oversee student analysis and evaluation of student writing, incorporating terms, concepts, and standards covered in lecture and discussion. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments Read "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder (Chapters 1–3) and watch the short film "Lights Out." What does Snyder mean by the "Save the Cat" moment? Identify the "Save the Cat" moment in "Lights Out." How does it shape our perception of the character? Writing, Problem Solving or Performance Write a short scene where two characters want different things, allowing their agendas to emerge through dialogue, emphasizing subtext and emotional shifts. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Complete a final portfolio of college-level, original scriptwriting demonstrating thorough knowledge of script style/format, central conflict, plot arc, complex character development, effective dialogue, developed themes, and visual storytelling in a comprehensive final portfolio. Required Materials Finish the Script! Author: Scott King Publisher: CreateSpace Publication Date: 2013 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The Complete Book of Scriptwriting Author: J. Michael Straczynski Publisher: Writer's Digest Publication Date: 2002 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: FADE IN: A Guide to Screenwriting Basics Author: Candance Rose Publisher: Creative Commons Publication Date: 2021 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: https://una.pressbooks.pub/fade-in/ PLAYWRITING Author: Shannon Dollar Publisher: Creative Commons Publication Date: 2023 Text Edition: First Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/105627/overview Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.