The Minor in Screenwriting, which is administered by the Department of English, offers undergraduate students a foundation in the production of scripts for fiction films and television programs.
The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
Students who are planning careers in writing for film and television should consider combining this minor with a major in Film Studies or Digital Storytelling.
Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of English or the Director of Film Studies in the Department of English.
To declare a Screenwriting minor, please contact the English department academic advisor or set up an advising appointment.
Admission
Students considering the Minor in Screenwriting must have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0.
Requirements for the Minor in Screenwriting
Complete a minimum of 16 credits from the following:
- One of the following introductory courses in Film Studies (4 credits):
- FLM 230: Introduction to Film
- FLM 260: Introduction to Digital Film and Emergent Media
- All of the following core courses (9 credits):
- FLM 334: Introduction to Screenwriting (W)
- FLM 434: Advanced Screenwriting (W)
- FLM484: Advanced Topics in Screenwriting
- At least one of the following courses (3 credits):
- DS 202: Writing for Digital Storytelling
- ENG 227: Introduction to Playwriting
- FLM 255: Stars and Directors
- FLM 300: History of Film to Midcentury
- FLM 301: History of Film after Midcentury
- FLM 337: Topics in Film Form
- FLM 350: National and Transnational Cinemas
- FLM 355: Studies in Film Genres
- FLM 380: Classical Film and Media Theory
- FLM 381: Contemporary Film and Media Theory
- FLM 400: Seminar in the History of Film (W)
- FLM 450: Studies in Ethnic Film
- FLM 451: Studies in Postcolonial Film
- FLM 452: Studies in Film, Gender, and Sexuality
- FLM 460: Seminar in Digital Film and Emergent Media (W)
- FLM 480: Seminar in Film and Media Theory (W)
- FLM 484: Advanced Topics in Screenwriting (may be repeated with a different topic)
- FLM 491: Special Topics in Film Studies
- THR 304: Topics in Acting/Directing II
- THR 350: Plays as Film
Contact
Kaveh Askari, Director of Film Studies: askarik1@msu.edu