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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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Writing Drama

  • Unit Code

    WRT3105

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    2

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

    N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

  • 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 selected established writers in the genre will be the starting point and 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 and twenty-first century, English-language drama, and, within that, on current Australian playwriting.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse, explain and appraise characteristics and conventions of various styles of dramatic writing.
  2. Relate 21st century playwriting to the history of English-language drama.
  3. Compare intercultural issues and themes in Australian and international plays.
  4. Work with peers to revise and enhance scripts through reading, movement and role-play.
  5. Create an original stage play of at least one act (no less than 30 minutes).

Unit Content

  1. Academic essay writing skills and conventions.
  2. Conventions of realist and non-realist plays.
  3. History of English-language theatre.
  4. Temporality and use of stage in writing for theatre.
  5. Playwriting skills: e.g. dramatic arc, characterisation, plot, story, spectacle, dialogue, stage script format.
  6. Historical context, critical commentary, and analysis of selected plays.
  7. Role-playing and discussion of students' plays.

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 2 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 1 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
AssignmentOriginal one-act play 50%
EssayAnalytical essay30%
PresentationOral presentation - In week scheduled, on designated unit texts, including scene selection and reading, requiring teamwork. 20%

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|2|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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Writing Drama

  • Unit Code

    WRT3105

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    2

  • 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 selected established writers in the genre will be the starting point and 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 and twenty-first century, English-language drama, and, within that, on current Australian playwriting.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse, explain and appraise characteristics and conventions of various styles of dramatic writing.
  2. Relate 21st century playwriting to the history of English-language drama.
  3. Compare intercultural issues and themes in Australian and international plays.
  4. Work with peers to revise and enhance scripts through reading, movement and role-play.
  5. Create an original stage play of at least one act (no less than 30 minutes).

Unit Content

  1. Academic essay writing skills and conventions.
  2. Conventions of realist and non-realist plays.
  3. History of English-language theatre.
  4. Temporality and use of stage in writing for theatre.
  5. Playwriting skills: e.g. dramatic arc, characterisation, plot, story, spectacle, dialogue, stage script format.
  6. Historical context, critical commentary, and analysis of selected plays.
  7. Role-playing and discussion of students' plays.

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 2 hour lectureNot Offered
Semester 2Not Offered13 x 1 hour tutorialNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and tutorials. Practice-led research. Textual analysis. Class discussion. Online and on campus.

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
AssignmentOriginal one-act play 50%
EssayAnalytical essay30%
PresentationOral presentation - In week scheduled, on designated unit texts, including scene selection and reading, requiring teamwork. 20%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOriginal one-act play50%
EssayAnalytical essay30%
PresentationOnline presentation20%

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|2|2