THET 119 Introduction to Playwriting

This course is an introduction to the art and craft of playwriting. Students will participate in daily writing exercises, read play scripts, attend and respond to assigned theatrical performances, complete assigned written projects, and read them in class for discussion. Emphasis is placed on the student's increasing ability to freely employ the tools of the craft, including, but not limited to, conflict, character, action, dialogue, dramatic structure, responding to others' work, revision of written work, and preparation for production. This course is writing intensive.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues
   of aesthetics and creativity, and how characteristics of plays including conflict, character,
   action, and dialogue contribute to creating dramatic works.
   
2. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods,
   by presenting specific processes by which creative writing is produced and shared,
   generating ideas, receiving feedback, and revising.
   
3. Pose and address questions
   related to the confluence of creative expression with social and cultural contexts, by
   demonstrating an understanding of how writing reflects the human spirit across cultures and
   regions of the world.
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of playwriting in illuminating the human
   condition, and analyzing the works of self and others through a critical lens, to give and
   receive feedback in a professional manner and make revisions accordingly.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues
   of aesthetics and creativity, and how characteristics of plays including conflict, character,
   action, and dialogue contribute to creating dramatic works.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Text analysis

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1
2. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods,
   by presenting specific processes by which creative writing is produced and shared,
   generating ideas, receiving feedback, and revising.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Presentation and feedback on short play

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2
3. Pose and address questions
   related to the confluence of creative expression with social and cultural contexts, by
   demonstrating an understanding of how writing reflects the human spirit across cultures and
   regions of the world.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Written homework

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of playwriting in illuminating the human
   condition, and analyzing the works of self and others through a critical lens, to give and
   receive feedback in a professional manner and make revisions accordingly.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Critiques of local play

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4