Honors Program: A pathway to excellence.

HONR 100 / 300 Writing for the Stage and Screen

Students will learn the principles of playwriting and screenwriting in this interdisciplinary course that focuses on the basics of drama, character, conflict, theme, scene work, and plot structure. The fundamentals of storytelling will be observed through the mediums of film, television, and playwriting. Students will adapt their work to various formats and will be given the opportunity to write a script that is produced in the University of Montana Western's Annual 10 Minute Play Festival.

Students will analyze various dramatic literature exemplars, synthesize their observations into functional original writing, and then evaluate each other through feedback sessions and revision cycles. A large portion of this course will be in the contextual exploration of contemporary playwrights, modern trends, and how they relate to current issues. Students will be challenged to articulate their artistic intentions clearly and support each other in providing constructive critical response.

This will be an advanced reading and writing course that examines the structure and utility of dramatic literature through a purely experiential perspective.

100 level students will have two assignments, readings, discussions, and one final project. 300 level students will have four assignments, readings, discussions, and one final project.
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Substitutions:
List the courses for which this course may substitute (especially gen eds).
THTR 101: Introduction to Theatre (Expressive Arts)
THTR 232: Dramatic Literature and Theatre History (Literary and Artistic Studies)
THTR 435: Storytelling (Drama K-12, and Drama Related Minor requirement)

Instructor: Stephen Alan Seder

Time: Fall 2023, Block 1