Major in Film and Digital Storytelling, Screenwriting, and Cinematic Studies

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degrees in Screenwriting and Animation offer concentrations in:

• Computer Animation
• Film and Television Writing
• Integrated Media Writing (Screenwriting and Animation)

These degrees require that students complete 61 credits in the major and in supporting courses. The BA requires students to complete six credits in the same foreign language as a part of their degree requirements, while the BFA Degree requires students to complete six credits in practical studio courses as a substitution for the foreign language requirement.

Both degrees provide multidisciplinary academic and professional training in the media arts through a combination of practical and theoretical courses, as well as field experiences to expose students to and prepare them for the next generation of an increasingly complex and evolving profession.

Courses Required of All Majors

Gateway Courses (14 credits)

COSC 111 Introduction to Computer Science
SWAN 101 Intro to Cinematic Storytelling (Theory/Form)
SWAN 102 Intro to Film and Digital Storytelling (Practice)
COSC 112 Introduction to Computer Science II

Core Courses - Required of all SWAN Majors (18 Credits)

SWAN 220 Filmmaking I
SWAN 225 Art of Motion (Film Editing I)
SWAN 230 Fundamentals of Film and TV Writing (Narrative)
SWAN 335 Introduction to Screenwriting
SWAN 345 Animation Workshop 1

Choose 1 From Below

SWAN 241 Art and History of the Graphic Comic
SWAN 305 History of Animation
SWAN 350 Black Film
SWAN 355 World Cinema
HIST 425 History of American Movies

Film and Television Writing (Screenwriting) Concentration

Comedy, drama, or somewhere in between, you want to be the writer telling the next great stories for television and film. With an emphasis on visual storytelling, SWAN offers emerging screenwriters the place to work on their craft, their voices, and their creative process through a variety of forms and genres.

Requirements

SWAN 320 Cinematography
SWAN 325 Film Editing II
SWAN 330 Filmmaking II
SWAN 383 Comedy Writing OR SWAN 430 1-Hour Drama
SWAN 434 Advanced Screenwriting
SWAN 469 Film & Digital Storytelling Internship
SWAN 495 Senior Studio Projects I
SWAN 496 Senior Studio Projects II

Electives (12 Credits)

6 credits from other SWAN courses
6 from other disciplines in the liberal arts

Computer Animation Concentration

Comedy, drama, or somewhere in between, you want to be the writer telling the next great stories for television and film. With an emphasis on visual storytelling, SWAN offers emerging screenwriters the place to work on their craft, their voices, and their creative process through a variety of forms and genres.

Requirements

SWAN 320 Cinematography
SWAN 325 Film Editing II
SWAN 330 Filmmaking II
SWAN 383 Comedy Writing OR SWAN 430 1-Hour Drama
SWAN 434 Advanced Screenwriting
SWAN 469 Film & Digital Storytelling Internship
SWAN 495 Senior Studio Projects I
SWAN 496 Senior Studio Projects II

Electives (12 Credits)

6 credits from other SWAN courses
6 from other disciplines in the liberal arts

Integrated Media Writing Concentration

Storytelling in the twenty-first century means having a toolkit full of knowledge. Whether you are looking to animate the next Hollywood blockbuster, develop a breakthrough independent film or web series, or to prepare for a career telling the stories of giants in business and government, SWAN offers students the tools and the knowledge to get thrive.

Requirements

ART 209 Drawing I
ART 210 Drawing II
ENGL 323 Creative Writing (Fiction)
SWAN 341 Practicum in the Graphic Comic
SWAN 346 Animation Workshop II
SWAN 469 Film & Digital Storytelling Internship
SWAN 495 Senior Studio Projects I
SWAN 496 Senior Studio Project II

Electives (12 Credits)

6 credits from other SWAN courses
6 from other disciplines in the liberal arts