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  2. Writing Drama [WRT3105]

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Writing Drama

  • Unit Code

    WRT3105

  • Year

    2019

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Marcella Kathleen POLAIN

Description

This unit will offer the student an opportunity to develop an existing strength in writing drama. The work of established writers in the genre will be the starting point for the workshops in which students will be encouraged to explore a range of subjects and styles in the development of their own writing. There will be an emphasis on twentieth century and contemporary, English-language drama, and, within that, on current Australian playwriting.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discern and discuss the characteristics and conventions of various styles of drama, including structure, plot, characterisation, dialogue, stage-direction and relevant stage-craft and acting styles.
  2. Express an understanding of the history of English-language drama in relation to contemporary playwriting.
  3. Identify and discuss intercultural issues and themes in Australian and international plays.
  4. Identify and employ the conventions of stage-script layout.
  5. Workshop with peers to develop scripts through reading, movement and role-play.
  6. Write a stage play of at least one act (no less than 30 minutes).
  7. Write an analytical essay deploying academic conventions.

Unit Content

  1. Academic essay writing skills and conventions.
  2. Creative arts research.
  3. Playwriting skills.
  4. Research published plays and historical and critical commentary, with an emphasis on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
  5. Role-playing and workshopping of students' plays.
  6. Teamwork and peer evaluation skills.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 1 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Workshops. Practice-led research. Textual analysis. Class discussion.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentCompleted play50%
EssayAnalytical essay30%
WorkshopWorkshop participation20%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

WRT3105|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Writing Drama

  • Unit Code

    WRT3105

  • Year

    2019

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Marcella Kathleen POLAIN

Description

This unit will offer the student an opportunity to develop an existing strength in writing drama. The work of established writers in the genre will be the starting point for the workshops in which students will be encouraged to explore a range of subjects and styles in the development of their own writing. There will be an emphasis on twentieth century and contemporary, English-language drama, and, within that, on current Australian playwriting.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discern and discuss the characteristics and conventions of various styles of drama, including structure, plot, characterisation, dialogue, stage-direction and relevant stage-craft and acting styles.
  2. Express an understanding of the history of English-language drama in relation to contemporary playwriting.
  3. Identify and discuss intercultural issues and themes in Australian and international plays.
  4. Identify and employ the conventions of stage-script layout.
  5. Workshop with peers to develop scripts through reading, movement and role-play.
  6. Write a stage play of at least one act (no less than 30 minutes).
  7. Write an analytical essay deploying academic conventions.

Unit Content

  1. Academic essay writing skills and conventions.
  2. Creative arts research.
  3. Playwriting skills.
  4. Research published plays and historical and critical commentary, with an emphasis on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
  5. Role-playing and workshopping of students' plays.
  6. Teamwork and peer evaluation skills.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 1 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 2 hour tutorialNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Workshops. Practice-led research. Textual analysis. Class discussion.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentCompleted play50%
EssayAnalytical essay30%
WorkshopWorkshop participation20%

Core Reading(s)

  • Smiley, S., & Bert, N. (2005). Playwriting: the structure of action. New Haven: Yale University Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/123125261?databaseList=638
  • Nowra, L. (1993). Radiance: The play and the screenplay. Currency Press. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ecu/detail.action?docID=2051468

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

WRT3105|1|2