Screenwriting and Playwriting
About the Program
Bachelor of Science Degree: 182.0 quarter credits
The Westphal College Screenwriting & Playwriting program is designed to guide and prepare students in their pursuit of a writing career for the stage or the screen. The program emphasizes both the principles of dramatic writing and a practical hands-on approach to instruction. Graduates are armed with the skills, experience, and confidence to gain an edge in a growing and competitive field.
Students in the Screenwriting & Playwriting program begin the lifelong process of accumulating a writer’s capital: the ideas, understandings, facts, and methods of perception, as well as the technical knowledge, needed to write compellingly for the stage or screen. Students learn to create scripts that meet industry standards for feature film and television and acquire hands-on experience in the techniques of film and video production. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue careers in any of numerous fields that require dramatic writing or to enter one of the highly competitive graduate programs in the field.
For more information about this major, visit the College's Screenwriting & Playwriting page.
Degree Requirements
| General education requirements | ||
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Arts and Humanities electives (excluding ENGL courses) | 9.0 | |
| Natural science electives | 8.0 | |
| Social science electives | 9.0 | |
| Electives | 31.0 | |
| Visual Studies Requirements | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| DIGM 220 | Digital Still Imaging I | 3.0 |
| MUSC 130 | Introduction to Music | 3.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| Screenwriting and Playwriting Requirements | ||
| Literature requirements | ||
| ENGL 315 [WI] | Shakespeare | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following Western Literature survey courses: | 3.0 | |
| Classical to Medieval Literature | ||
| Renaissance to the Enlightenment | ||
| Romanticism to Modernism | ||
| Select one of the following Non-Western Literature survey courses: | 3.0 | |
| Post-Colonial Literature I | ||
or ENGL 204 | Post-Colonial Literature II | |
| Literature (ENGL) electives | 6.0 | |
| Cinema studies/Theatre studies requirements | ||
| ENGL 216 [WI] | Readings in Drama | 3.0 |
| FMST 150 | American Classic Cinema | 3.0 |
| FMST 160 | European Cinema | 3.0 |
| THTR 121 [WI] | Dramatic Analysis | 3.0 |
| Theatre (THTR) choice elective (any advanced acting, directing or production course) | 3.0 | |
| Cinema studies (FMST Film Studies or TVST Television Studies) elective | 3.0 | |
| Methods requirements | ||
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| FMVD 115 | Basic Editing | 3.0 |
| FMVD 120 | Basic Sound | 3.0 |
| THTR 210 | Acting: Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| THTR 211 | Acting: Scene Study | 2.0 |
| THTR 240 | Theatre Production I | 3.0 |
| THTR 320 | Play Direction | 3.0 |
| Writing requirements | ||
| SCRP 220 | Playwriting I | 3.0 |
| SCRP 225 | Playwriting II | 3.0 |
| SCRP 270 [WI] | Screenwriting I | 3.0 |
| SCRP 275 [WI] | Screenwriting II | 3.0 |
| SCRP 280 [WI] | Writing the Short Film | 3.0 |
| SCRP 310 | Literature for Screenwriters | 3.0 |
| SCRP 370 | Screenplay Story Development | 3.0 |
| SCRP 495 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing I | 3.0 |
| SCRP 496 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing II | 3.0 |
| SCRP 497 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing III | 3.0 |
| WRIT 225 [WI] | Creative Writing | 3.0 |
| Writing Choice: select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Fundamentals of Journalism | ||
| Public Relations Principles and Theory | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Select one of the following two-course sequences: | 6.0 | |
| Playwriting Workshop I and Playwriting Workshop II | ||
| Screenwriting Workshop I and Screenwriting Workshop II | ||
| Total Credits | 182.0 | |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Sample Plan of Study
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FMST 150 | American Classic Cinema | 3.0 |
| SCRP 220 | Playwriting I | 3.0 |
| THTR 121 [WI] | Dramatic Analysis | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Term Credits | 13.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| SCRP 225 | Playwriting II | 3.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Natural science elective | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| Natural science elective | 4.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| FMVD 115 | Basic Editing | 3.0 |
| MUSC 130 | Introduction to Music | 3.0 |
| SCRP 270 [WI] | Screenwriting I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 204 or 203 [WI] | Post-Colonial Literature II Post-Colonial Literature I | 3.0 |
| Literature (ENGL) elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| ENGL 216 [WI] | Readings in Drama | 3.0 |
| FMST 160 | European Cinema | 3.0 |
| SCRP 275 [WI] | Screenwriting II | 3.0 |
| THTR 210 | Acting: Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| FMVD 120 | Basic Sound | 3.0 |
| SCRP 370 | Screenplay Story Development | 3.0 |
| THTR 211 | Acting: Scene Study | 2.0 |
| Western literature survey course* | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| DIGM 220 | Digital Still Imaging I | 3.0 |
| SCRP 280 [WI] | Writing the Short Film | 3.0 |
| SCRP 310 | Literature for Screenwriters | 3.0 |
| Film Studies/Television Studies elective* | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| ENGL 315 [WI] | Shakespeare | 3.0 |
| THTR 240 | Theatre Production I | 3.0 |
| THTR 320 | Play Direction | 3.0 |
| SCRP 382 or 380 | Playwriting Workshop I Screenwriting Workshop I | 3.0 |
| Arts and Humanities elective (excluding ENGL courses) | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 18.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| SCRP 383 or 381 | Playwriting Workshop II Screenwriting Workshop II | 3.0 |
| Writing choice | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities elective (excluding ENGL courses) | 3.0 | |
| Literature (ENGL) elective | 3.0 | |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| SCRP 495 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing I | 3.0 |
| WRIT 225 [WI] | Creative Writing | 3.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities elective (excluding ENGL courses) | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| SCRP 496 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing II | 3.0 |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Theatre elective* | 3.0 | |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| SCRP 497 | Senior Project in Dramatic Writing III | 3.0 |
| Free electives | 13.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Total Credit: 182.0 | ||
| * | See degree requirements. |
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Dramatic writing is writing for production — work intended for performance on the stage or screen. These days, “screen” can mean movie,TV, or computer, and the work can be anything from full three-act stage plays to 15-second commercials.
Co-Op Experiences
By working for professional writers, entertainment management companies, television stations, magazines and advertising and public relations firms, Screenwriting & Playwriting students gain valuable insights into how the entertainment industry works.
In an industry where the process of building a career often begins with a few key contacts, the co-op program gives Drexel students the chance to begin meeting people and networking.
In the Program's first few years, co-op students were placed with Disney Video Animation, several prominent Hollywood talent managers, the editor and publisher of a screenwriters' magazine, at Marvel Comics and in the production office of "Star Trek: Enterprise. "
Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.
Courses
SCRP 220 Playwriting I 3.0 Credits
Introduces the basic tenets of playwriting and their use in writing a 10-minute play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: HUM 106 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 101 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 105 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 225 Playwriting II 3.0 Credits
Builds on the writing tenets learned in Playwriting I. Requires students to write a one-act play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 220 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 241 Writing TV Comedy 3.0 Credits
Teaches the essentials of situation comedy writing for TV. Students will be expected to conceive and write their own thirty-minute pilot script plus a ‘bible’ for their show.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 242 Writing TV Drama 3.0 Credits
Teaches the essentials of writing the one-hour television drama. Students will be expected to conceive and write their own thirty-minute pilot script plus a ‘bible’ for their show.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 250 Creating Stand-up Comedy 3.0 Credits
Deals with the conception, writing and performance of a stand-up comedy routine. Includes exploration of creating a comic persona, structuring an act, construction of jokes, and aspects relating to perfromance. "Final exam" will be given before a live audience at a public venue.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 270 [WI] Screenwriting I 3.0 Credits
Workshop course that covers the fundamentals of writing scripts for film and television. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: HUM 106 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 101 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 105 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 275 [WI] Screenwriting II 3.0 Credits
Workshop course that builds on the fundamentals of screenwriting learned in Screenwriting I. Each student develops and completes a short dramatic screenplay. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 280 [WI] Writing the Short Film 3.0 Credits
This course will focus on creating scripts for films under thirty minutes in length. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 310 Literature for Screenwriters 3.0 Credits
This course provides exposure to literary traditions from the classics to pop culture, analyzing how the selected books have affected the film industry, both in terms of direct adaptations and by influencing generations of filmmakers and screenwriters.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D] or FMVD 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 350 Writing the TV Comedy Series 3.0 Credits
This course gives students practical experience in writing a pilot episode for an original, single-or-multiple comedic television series. Following the network primetime model and working in collaboration, students meet deadlines and operate under budget and production contraints similar to those faced by professional writers.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 353 Writing the TV Drama Series 3.0 Credits
This course gives students practical experience in writing a pilot episode for an original dramatic television series. Following the network primetime model and working in collaboration, students meet deadlines and operate under budget and production contraints similar to those faced by professional writers.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 370 Screenplay Story Development 3.0 Credits
This course provides a thorough understanding of methods used to develop story ideas from initial concept to complete screen story, including pitching, structuring, and creating treatments. Students pitch and develop several stories which can then be used to create full-length scripts in advanced workshops.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 275 [Min Grade: D] or FMVD 275 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 380 Screenwriting Workshop I 3.0 Credits
The first of a two-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, or television pilot.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 275 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 381 Screenwriting Workshop II 3.0 Credits
The second of a two-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, or television pilot.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 380 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 382 Playwriting Workshop I 3.0 Credits
The first of a two-course sequence in which students write a 90-minute, two-act play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 225 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 383 Playwriting Workshop II 3.0 Credits
The second of a two-course sequence in which students write a 90-minute, two-act play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 382 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 399 Independent Study in SCRP 0.5-12.0 Credits
Independent study on a topic selected by the student. Independent study is supervised by a faculty member and guided by a plan of study. Department permission required.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP 465 Special Topics in SCRP 3.0 Credits
Examines a particular genre in dramatic writing (comedy, the thriller, etc.) or issues of particular interest to students interested in writing for the stage or screen (e.g., Literature for Screenwriters). The course, but not the same topics, may be repeated for credit.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
SCRP 495 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing I 3.0 Credits
The first of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, full-length stage play, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 381 [Min Grade: D] or SCRP 383 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 496 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing II 3.0 Credits
The second of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 495 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 497 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing III 3.0 Credits
The thid of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, tlelfilm, full-length stage play, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 496 [Min Grade: D]
