College of the Redwoods
CURRICULUM PROPOSAL
--Attach the Course Outline-1. Division/Center
Professional and Technical Programs
2. Program and Course Number RT 5
3. Course Title Introduction To Narrative and Broadcast Screenwriting
4.
X New (If new, are you deleting a course?) Course to be deleted:_________________
_____ Change (Indicate current status and proposed changes on "Summary of Curriculum Changes" form)
_____ Check here if catalog description is being changed.
_____ Delete (Reason for deletion: ___)
5. Of what approved program is this course a part? ___________
(see list of approved programs and TOPS Codes)TOPS Code 0603.00
Is the course a "required course"?_____ an "additional requirement"?_____
(In a certificate or degree program)
6. Provide evidence that this course/revision is needed (purpose of proposal).
Just as a building needs a blueprint to be constructed, so does a television or film production. The screenplay serves as a
blueprint for the narrative that is to be conveyed. Anyone writing film or television, anyone directing film or television,
producing, shooting, editing or viewing film should know the basic elements of dramaturgy and the look of a script as a
blueprint; the business of film and television as craft, industry, and art; production considerations, and the forms of
synopsis, treatment and adaptation.
No author or teacher can teach someone else how to be creative or how to find inspiration. However, technique and a
professional approach to the creative form can be taught. The difference between a construction worker, carpenter and
cabinetmaker is a matter of technique. Likewise, the way a screenplay is put together is technique and can and should be
learned by those who wish to advance beyond a “grip” or “gaffer” existence in the film and television production
community.
7. Describe the students who will enroll (include estimated number).
Students pursuing general studies degrees with an emphasis in television production, CalWorks students, students
seeking job skills and specific interest students drawn from the community at large. (30)
8. Parallel courses--what is the relation of this course to existing courses
(modify/overlap/replace)?
This course provides the premise from which all television productions spring forth. An exacting narrative format must
be produced as a map for a cast and crew to navigate through a production. Students must understand narrative structure
as it pertains to the unique qualities of spatial, temporal, graphic and rhythmic continuity inherent in television and film
productions.
9. Capital Outlay: Describe the equipment for this class.
Presently have: Computers with Screenwriter software.
Need to acquire: (include cost) None
10. Staffing implications (Associate or Full-time faculty) Associate or Full-time
Instructional Aide required? How many hours per week? ____________________________
11. Learning Resource Implications (new courses only)
Does the college have adequate learning resources to support the proposed course, or can the necessary resources be
acquired within the existing budget?
Yes
X
No ________
Please attach the "Learning Resource Supplement" to the Course Proposal form.
12. Facility Implications: (Unless otherwise stated, it is assumed this course can be offered
District-wide.)
Where Scheduled? Del Norte
When Scheduled? Semester(s) _Fall or Spring______________
Day __X__Evening _ X____
13. Special Fees None
14. Special Student Expenses (i.e., equipment, clothing, tools, etc.):
15. Submitted by Tom P. Walradt
Tel. Ext. 2300
Approved by Curriculum Committee __
9/28/01
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COURSE OUTLINE 6/98
1
Date September 14, 2001
________
College of the Redwoods
COURSE OUTLINE
DATE __9/17/01___
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER:
RT 5
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered) ______________
COURSE TITLE Introduction to Narrative and Broadcast Screenwriting
I. CATALOG AND OUTLINE
1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the concepts and structure of screenwriting and broadcast news presentations. Emphasis is placed on
the development of the initial story idea into a viable, professional shooting script for television or film. Additionally,
students learn to write, re-write and edit stories using computers, incorporate sound tracks and visuals into stories.
2. COURSE OUTLINE:
Introduction and orientation to scripts and scripting
Proposals and treatments
Premise and Conflict
Narrative Structure
Plot elements
Climax and Resolution
Denouement
Character function, definition and development
Exposition
Dialogue
Production considerations
The Look of a Professional Script
Other forms and techniques
Comedy
Commercial/PSA
Documentary
Storyboards
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
2.5%
5%
2.5%
25%
20%
10%
15%
10%
5%
5%
II. PREREQUISITES
Prerequisite?
No
X
Corequisite?
No
X
Recommended Preparation?
No
X
Yes _____________________
(course)
Yes _____________________
(course)
Yes _____________________
(course)
Rationale for Prerequisite, Corequisite, Recommended
Preparation__________________________________________________
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COURSE OUTLINE 6/98
2
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER RT 5
III. OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENTS
1. COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES:
List the primary instructional objectives of the class. Formulate some of them in terms of specific measurable
student accomplishments, e.g., specific knowledge and/or skills to be attained as a result of completing this course.
For degree-applicable courses, include objectives in the area of "critical thinking." Upon successful completion of
this course, the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of narrative structure within the parameters of television and film
disciplines.
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of scriptwriting terminologies.
3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the structure and objectives of a proposal and treatment.
4. Recognize the specific goals necessitated in order for a screenplay to be successful.
5. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of spatial, temporal, graphic and rhythmic considerations inherent in
television and film screenwriting.
6. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the elements incorporated in character foundation and development.
7. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of playing-time per given amount of commercial copy, dialogue,
dramatic or comedic action.
8. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the required “Look” of a professional screenplay.
9. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of comedy, commercial/PSA, documentary and storyboard formats.
2. COLLEGE LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING TASKS/ASSIGNMENTS:
Degree applicable courses must include critical thinking tasks/assignments. This section need not be completed for
non-credit courses. Describe how the course requires students to independently analyze, synthesize, explain, assess,
anticipate and/or define problems, formulate and assess solutions, apply principles to new situations, etc.
1. Students are required to formulate narrative possibilities within restricted time frames synthesizing them
into coherent spatial, temporal, graphic and rhythmic scripts for television production.
2. Students are required to construct and resolve conflict while maintaining a unity of theme.
3. Students are required to develop characters with qualities, traits idiosyncrasies and dialogue that drive
the plot forward demonstrating an exposition for time, place and relationships.
4. Students are required to develop strategies for adjustment (re-write) of plot and character development as
suggested by producers and directors for commercial reasons.
3. ASSESSMENT
Degree applicable courses must have a minimum of one response in category A, B, or C. If category A is not
checked, the department must explain why substantial writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part
of the grade.
A. This course requires a minimum of two substantial (500 words each) written assignments which demonstrate
standard English usage (grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary) and proper paragraph and essay development. In
grading these assignments, instructors shall use, whenever possible, the English Department’s rubric for grading the
ENGL 150 exit essay. Substantial writing assignments, including:
__ essay exam(s)
__ term or other paper(s)
___ laboratory report(s)
X written homework
X reading report(s)
X other (specify) Proposals, treatments, commercial/PSA, scripts, dialogue, character developments
If the course is degree applicable, substantial writing assignments in this course are inappropriate because:
__ The course is primarily computational in nature.
__ The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
__ Other rationale (explain) __________________________________
B. Computational or Non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
__ exam(s)
__ quizzes
__X_homework problems
__ laboratory report(s)
__ field work
__ other (specify) Written assignments
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COURSE OUTLINE 6/98
3
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER
RT 5
C.
Skill demonstrations, including:
X class performance(s)
__ field work
___ other (specify) ________________
__ performance exam(s)
D. Objective examinations, including:
__ multiple choice
__ true/false
__ completion
X other (specify) essay
E.
__ matching items
Other (specify) _________________________________
NOTE: A course grade may not be based solely on attendance.
IV. TEXTS AND MATERIALS
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
(Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended, including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title: The Elements of Screenwriting – A Guide for Film and Television Writing
X
Required
Edition: First
______ Alternate
Author: Irwin R. Blacker
______ Recommended
Publisher: Collier MacMillan Publishers
Date Published: 1996
(Additional required, alternate, or recommended texts should be listed on a separate sheet and attached.)
For degree applicable courses the adopted texts have been certified to be college-level:
X
Yes.
X
OR
______
No
Basis for determination:
is used by two or more four-year colleges or universities
or Center Dean)
Providence College, Rhode Island
Boston University, Massachusetts
(certified by the Division Dean
has been certified by the LAC as being of college level using the Coleman and Dale-Chall
Readability Index Scale.
Request for Exception Attached.
REQUIRED READING, WRITING, AND OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Over an 18-week presentation of the course, 3 hours per week are required for each unit of credit. ALL Degree
Applicable Credit classes must treat subject matter with a scope and intensity which require the student to study outside
of class. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each hour of lecture. Lab and activity classes
must also require some outside of class work. Outside of the regular class time the students in this class do the following:
X
Study
_____ Answer questions
X
Skill practice
X
Required reading
X
Problem solving activity or exercise
X
Written work (essays/compositions/report/analysis/research)
______Journal (reaction and evaluation of class, done on a continuing basis throughout the semester)
X
Observation of or participation in an activity related to course content (e.g., play, museum, concert,
debate, meeting, etc.)
_____ Other (specify) ______________________________________________________
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COURSE OUTLINE 6/98
4
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER______RT 5____________________
V. TECHNICAL INFORMATION
1. Contact Hours Per Week: (Indicate
"TOTAL" hours if less than semester length)
Lecture:
2+
Weekly
36 TOTAL
Lab:
3+
Weekly
54 TOTAL
No. of Weeks S _(S = semester length)
(Use Request for Exception sheet to justify
more-than-minimum required hours.)
Units
3 or
Variable Unit Range ______
2. TLUs 6
3.
Does course fulfill a General Education
requirement? (For existing courses only;
for new courses, use GE Application Form)
______Yes
X
5. Recommended Maximum Class Size 30
6. Transferability X
CSU X
UC
List two UC/CSU campuses with similar courses (include course #s)
CSU Cal State L.A. - BCST 265 Introduction to Scriptwriting.
CSU Northridge – RTFV 220 Foundations of Media Writing
____________________________________________
Articulation with UC requested __
7. Grading Standard
__X__Letter Grade Only
______CR/NC Only
Grade-CR/NC Option
Grade-CR/NC Option Criteria:
______Introductory
______1st course in sequence
______Exploratory
No
CSU/GE Area ___
IGETC Area ____
4. Method of Instruction:
_____ Lecture
_____ Lab
X Lecture/Lab
_____ Independent Study
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
COURSE OUTLINE 6/98
8. Is course repeatable ______ Yes X
No
If so, repeatable to a maximum of:
______Total Enrollments
______Total Units
(Use Request for Exception sheet to justify repeatability.)
9. SAM Classification __C____
Course Classification __I_____
5