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EN4500   Playwriting

Academic year(s): 2018-2019

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: 11.00 am Wed and 12.00 noon Wed

Contemporary playwriting is flourishing in Britain, and this module will use the best examples of modern classic plays to unearth technique and skills that the students will then be asked to apply. The module aims to enable students to be able to write for the theatre, to have an awareness of the creative process and be able to shape narrative into a scene or scenes. It is intended as an introduction to playwriting, and the expectation is that students will have little or no previous experience of playwriting, although a keen interest and enthusiasm for theatre is essential. The classes will combine an academic and a practical approach to developing writing: as well as formally studying the published works of established playwrights, we will also workshop the students¿ texts, and approach some exercises through improvisation. By the end of this course the students will have been taught the principles of playwriting, developed their own techniques through exercises, will be able to feedback critically in seminars as well as their written assessments, and will have created original work. (Group E)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN2003 and pass EN2004

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take EN4417 or take EN4420 or take EN3217

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminars and 2 optional consultative hours

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module teaching staff: Professor Zinnie Harris; Mr Oliver Emanuel Module coordinator(s): Professor Zinnie Harris/Mr Oliver Emanuel