CURRICULUM FOR THE MA IN SCREENWRITING
A minimum of 30 units of approved graduate work is required for the degree. At least 18 units of the program shall be in 500 and 600 level courses. Students applying more than 36 units of course work to their graduate program must take at least 70 percent of their courses in 500 and 600 level classes. A candidate for the Masters degree in Screenwriting will complete at least three screenplays.
REQUIRED COURSES (21 units):
- CTVA 500 Theory and History of Cinema (3 units)
- CTVA 501 Theory and Criticism in Cinema (3)
(CTVA 500 is a prerequisite for CTVA 501)
- CTVA 512 Intro. to Graduate Screenwriting (3)
- CTVA 525 Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
- CTVA 622 Colloquium in Screenwriting (3)
(525 and 622 together make up a single, two semester course wherein students write and polish one feature-length screenplay)
- CTVA 692 Research Practicum (3)
- CTVA 698 Thesis Screenplay (3)
ELECTIVE COURSES (9 units):
- CTVA 420 Screenplay Adaptation (3)
- CTVA 425 Advanced Screenwriting (3)
- CTVA 428 Writing Screenplay Comedy (Sit-com) (3)
- CTVA 416 The Documentary Tradition (3)
- CTVA 415A-Z International Cinema (3)
- CTVA 595D Writing for Episodic Television (One Hour Series) (3)
- CTVA 595F Script Development in the Film Industry (3)
- CTVA 694A-C Internships (1-3)
- CTVA 699C Independent Study (3)
(with an approving faculty member)
Course Descriptions
Only courses at the 400, 500, or 600-level carry credit toward the master’s degree in Screenwriting.
CTVA 500. Theory and History of Cinema and Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate status. Survey of the history of cinema/electronic media and cinema and electronic media theory and criticism from the silent era through the fifties.
CTVA 501. Theory and History of Cinema and Electronic Media II (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Survey of the history of cinema/ electronic media as well as cinema and electronic media theory and criticism, from the fifties to the present.
CTVA 512. Seminar in Cinema and Contemporary Media Theory (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Seminar in specific cinema and/or electronic media theory. Includes analysis and evaluation of the works of major cinema and media theorists.
CTVA 525. Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
Prerequisites: CTVA 425; CTVA 501. Identification and analysis of the student writer’s creative strengths and weaknesses. Format includes exercises and original screenplay material specifically designed to strengthen narrative skills.
CTVA 532. Seminar in Analysis of Media Performance I (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Extended application of research and evaluation techniques as used in mass communication research to describe the quality of broadcast and film media performance.
CTVA 595A-I. Studies in Mass Communication (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Supervised graduate studies in Cinema and Television Arts Mass Communication. Faculty members will direct the studies of a small group of students in the following general areas with exact content to be determined: (A) Advanced Research, (B) History, (C) Theory; (D) Writing, (E) Radio/TV Production, (F) Film, (G) Educational Media, (H) Management and (I) International Communication.
CTVA 602. Seminar in Research Methods (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Scope and methods of research in mass communication, including review of literature, statement of research problem, research design, collection and analysis of data and information, and writing the research report.
CTVA 622. Department Colloquium (3)
Prerequisite: CTVA 500. Intensive study of contemporary issues in Screenwriting by Graduate Faculty on a rotating basis.
CTVA 692. Research Practicum (3)
Prerequisites: CTVA 501 and 602.Instruction and individualized guidance in the preparation of thesis or project proposals, including introduction, literature and methodology.
CTVA 694A-F. Internship (1-6)
Prerequisites: CTVA 602 and approval of graduate advisor.Intensive on-the-job training beyond the entry level in radio, television, and allied industries.
CTVA 696. Directed Graduate Research (3)
CTVA 697A. Comprehensive Examination (1)
Written and oral examination in the major field.
CTVA 698A-F. Thesis or Graduate Project (1-6)
Prerequisites: CTVA 501; 602; approval of graduate advisor.
CTVA 699A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: CTVA 500; 602; approval of sponsoring faculty member.