Writing for the Screen and Stage Minor

The minor in writing for the screen and stage is a two-year interdisciplinary program housed in the Department of Communication that offers undergraduates from all departments the unique opportunity to focus specifically on the craft of dramatic writing. The minor is designed for students considering writing careers in theater, film, and television.

 

Requirements 

In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must:

  • take at least nine hours of their minor "core" requirements at UNC–Chapel Hill
  • earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the minor core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for minor or specific courses.

For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.

Candidates must be first-year or sophomore students with a 2.4 grade point average or better to begin the minor and must have taken one of the following prerequisite courses.

Prerequisite (select one):
COMM 330IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Writing for Film and Television 13
DRAM 231Playwriting I 23
ENGL 130IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Fiction Writing 33
ENGL 132HIDEAs in Action General Education logo First-Year Honors: Introduction to Fiction Writing 43
1

Preference given to communication studies majors.

2

Requires permission from the department.

3

Open to all students.

4

Restricted to honor students.

The prerequisite may be waived with the approval of the director of the minor.

An application is required for acceptance; please visit the Writing for Screen and Stage Minor's Web site to review this process. Continued participation in the minor is based on the student’s work and the recommendation of the program’s instructors.

Core Requirements 1
COMM/DRAM 131Writing for the Screen and Stage 23
COMM 430IDEAs in Action General Education logo History of American Screenwriting3
COMM 433Intermediate Screenwriting 23
COMM 537Master Screenwriting 23
DRAM 120IDEAs in Action General Education logo Play Analysis H, F3
Total Hours15
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

1

Students must achieve a C grade or better in core requirements.

2

COMM 131/DRAM 131, COMM 433, and COMM 537 must be taken in consecutive semesters beginning with the first semester of the minor.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.

The following sequence of courses is recommended:

Junior (or Sophomore) Year Fall Semester
COMM/DRAM 131Writing for the Screen and Stage3
DRAM 120IDEAs in Action General Education logo Play Analysis H, F3
Junior (or Sophomore) Year Spring Semester
COMM 430IDEAs in Action General Education logo History of American Screenwriting3
COMM 433Intermediate Screenwriting3
Senior (or Junior) Year Fall Semester
COMM 537Master Screenwriting3
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

The following courses are recommended but are not required to complete the minor:

COMM 334Writing the One-Hour TV Drama3
COMM 335IDEAs in Action General Education logo Film Story Analysis3
COMM 337IDEAs in Action General Education logo Visual Storytelling for Screenwriters3
COMM 390Special Topics in Communication Study (Writing the Full-Length Play)3
COMM 535Introduction to Screen Adaptation3
COMM 600Screenwriting: The Re-Write3
DRAM 135IDEAs in Action General Education logo Acting for Nonmajors3

See the program pages in CommunicationDramatic Art, and English and Comparative Literature for special opportunities.

Department of Communication

Visit Program Website

CB 3285, 308 Bynum Hall, 222 East Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599

(919) 962-2311

Director

Joy Goodwin

goodwinj@unc.edu

Chair

Avi Santo

asanto@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor Advisor

Kristin Hondros

hondros@email.unc.edu