Professional Writing Program (MPW)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

460ab Playwright's Workshop (4-4, FaSp) Development of full-length plays from staged readings to a finished, producible work. Class involves the writer with directors, technicians, and actors in shaping plays with an eye toward professional production. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

900 Survey of Professional Writing (3, FaSpSm) Analysis of genres, characteristics of narration, stylistic editing, and the role of the writer in contemporary society. Required of all MPW majors.

910 The Literary Marketplace (3, FaSp) The writer in the professional world: agents, contracts, copyright, adaptations, manuscript preparation, and editing.

915 Writing Humor: Literary and Dramatic (3, FaSp) Analysis of the specifics of humor - wit, irony, satire, parody and farce - through examples taken from various genres; discussion/workshop on incorporating humor in students' work.

920 Principles of Dramatic Structure (3, FaSpSm) Analysis of techniques in preparing scripts for various media; practice in adapting materials from non-dramatic forms.

925ab Advanced Nonfiction Writing (3-3, FaSp) a: The writing of longer nonfiction works: organization of material, subject choice, and interviewing techniques. b: Continuation of completion of work begun in a.

930 Story Conference (3, FaSp) Development of a synopsis idea for stageplay or screenplay via a professional producer/writer story conference approach. Emphasis on character, scene structure, advancement of storylines. Prerequisite: writing sample; departmental approval.

940 Literature and Approaches to Writing the Novel (3, Sp) Discussion and analysis of literary classics and their influences as applicable to the writing of today's novel; development of book-length fiction. Prerequisite: departmental approval; MPW 960ab recommended.

950 Technical Writing (3, FaSp) Preparation of technical material and reports for management; detailed descriptions of processes, equipment, and systems.

960ab Fiction Writing Workshop (3-3, FaSp) Development and analysis of booklength fiction; concentration on narration, characterization, point of view, and clarity of style.

965ab Seminar in Playwriting (4, FaSp) An extensive examination of dramatic forms; classroom analysis and production of material culminating in work demonstrating professional promise.

970 Principles of Poetic Techniques (3, Fa) Beginning analysis of techniques in the writing of poetry as they relate to form and content; concentration on individual student poetry. Contemporary poetry surveyed.

980ab Advanced Poetry Writing (3-3, FaSp) Advanced analysis of modern poetic techniques; concentration on individual student poetry; emphasis on producing publishable literary poetry. Prerequisite: MPW 970 or departmental approval.

985ab Master Class in Drama (3-3, FaSp) a: The development of a short stageplay from idea to stage reading. b: Analysis of full-length stageplays written in workshop. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

990 Directed Research (1-4, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the program director. Graded CR/NC.

994 Professional Writing Project (1-6, FaSpSm) Supervised preparation of a full-length manuscript in student's major concentration: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama-cinema-television. Credit upon completion of project. Graded IP/CR/NC. Prerequisite: taken last semester of study.

999 Special Topics (3, max 9, FaSpSm) Studies in specific genres, techniques or aspects of the writing craft. Prerequisite: departmental approval.

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