This is an archive of the 2019-2020 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2019-2020 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2019-2020

Program: B.A., Cinema and Television Arts

Screenwriting

Program Description

Conceptualization, structuring and writing of scripts for film, television and new media.

Program Requirements

All lower and upper division courses taken toward completion of the CTVA major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

In addition, students intending to continue in the Screenwriting option must pass CTVA 220 with a grade of “B-” or better.

1. Lower Division (12 units)

*Note: Students intending to continue in the Screenwriting option must pass CTVA 220 with a grade of “B-” or better.

2. Upper Division (33 units)

Required Courses (12 units)

CTVA 309 Film as Literature (3)
CTVA 320 Writing for Film and Television (3)
CTVA 420 Screenplay Adaptation (3)
CTVA 425 Advanced Screenwriting (3)

Select one of the following courses (3 units):

CTVA 301 Design of the Media Message (3)
CTVA 319 Criticism in Cinema and Television Arts (3)

Select one of the following courses (3 units):

CTVA 305 History of Broadcasting (3)
CTVA 310 History of American Cinema (3)

Select one of the following courses (3 units):

CTVA 327 Writing for Industrial Media (3)
CTVA 428 Writing Screenplay Comedy (3)

Select one of the following courses (3 units):

CTVA 350 Film Directing (3)
CTVA 440 Theory and Techniques of Television Directing (3)

Additional Units (9 units)

Select 9 additional units in CTVA or an allied field, with the approval of an advisor, as prescribed in the official departmental advisement form for Screenwriting, or CTVA 329CCTVA 494A/B, or CTVA 494C/D.

3. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
6 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CTVA 309 satisfies upper division C1 Arts; CTVA 100 satisfies E Lifelong Learning and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.

Total Units in the Major/Option: 45

General Education Units: 42

Additional Units: 33

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

Contact

Department of Cinema and Television Arts
Chair: Thelma Vickroy
Manzanita Hall (MZ) 195
(818) 677-3192

CTVA Advisor: ctva411@csun.edu

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program of study, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and critically analyze the fundamental components and aesthetics of audiovisual storytelling.
  2. Develop and write scripts for fiction and nonfiction audiovisual productions.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of historical, cultural, critical, theoretical and emergent aspects of media arts.
  4. Develop the skills necessary to produce, research and/or present an entertainment industry or other media project.