BA in Screenwriting

APU’s intensive screenwriting major equips students for professional writing careers in the entertainment industry.

46 units

Students with a passion for storytelling embrace the screenwriting major, which equips them to write for mainstream Hollywood films and television series. After learning the basics of production, students dive into an intensive sequence of courses taught by produced writers, active professionals, and scholars practicing the best of historic and contemporary narrative dramatic structure. The program culminates in writing original screenplays or pilots that are often pitched to be produced as student films by APU’s nationally recognized, award-winning production teams.

Requirements

CINE 101Christianity and the Creative Process 13
CINE 119Introduction to Directing3
CINE 260Cinema-TV Production I4
CINE 274Story and Character3
CINE 280Writing the Short Screenplay3
CINE 295Film and Television Business3
CINE 375Writing 3: Screenwriting 23
CINE 385Intermediate Screenwriting3
CINE 485Advanced Screenwriting3
CINE 496Ethics in Cinematic Arts3
CINE 493Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts 33
Select one of the following:3
CINE 275
History of Television and Digital Media 1
CINE 285
History of Film 1
Select two of the following:6
CINE 388
Sketch Comedy for the Writer/Performer
CINE 487
Television Writing: Episodic Drama
CINE 488
Television Writing: Situation Comedy
Select one of the following:3
CINE 420
Topics in Cinema and History
CINE 481
Contemporary Auteurs
CINE 483
Genre Studies
CINE 486
Topics in Film Analysis
Total Units46
1

Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Story: Describe an understanding of the integral structures of cinematic storytelling and implement these in criticism, scripts, and productions.
    2.
  2. Technical Practice: Demonstrate proficiency in the aesthetic, practical, and technical aspects of production, writing, criticism, animation, or entertainment management.
    3.
  3. Knowledge/Analysis: Articulate, critique, and apply the historic, social, and theoretical contexts of the cinematic arts.
    4.
  4. Professional Development: Implement the protocol, vocabulary, and work ethic necessary for professional careers.
    5.
  5. Collaboration: Serve and participate as a member of a creative team in leadership and/or supporting roles to meet project goals.
    6.
  6. Spiritual/Faith: Integrate an understanding of Christian faith through critical, creative, and collaborative endeavors.