USC Schedule of Classes

A cross-genre investigation of publishing and the marketplace, with the goal of familiarizing students with the practical aspects of writing and selling creative work. Duplicates credit in the former MPW 910.

An investigation of the evolving role of the critic, focused on reviews as essays, and criticism as essential to a rich popular culture and conversation.

An examination of innovative storytelling, in which old and new media in tandem can extend our narrative capabilities, and connect us across the world.

A nuts and bolts approach to craft, aiming to identify the requisite tools, and to develop skills necessary for writing vivid and convincing fiction.

Development and analysis of book-length fiction; concentration on narration, characterization, point of view, and clarity of style. Duplicates credit in the former MPW 960.

A survey of literary classics, focusing on recurring techniques, with the goal of identifying strategies to inform the students approach to narrative and craft.

The investigation of various forms in the genre, with attention to the literary value of thinking and making connections on the page.

A workshop designed to hone voice, and determine the best way to approach personal narrative in cultural and historical contexts.

A look at first-person narrative, from memoir to criticism, with a view towards cultivating favorite writerly strategies, and then trying less comfortable forms.

Writing and reading poetry in combination with other genres. Forms may include prose poem, verse drama, verse novel, and epic.

Analysis of techniques in preparing scripts for various media; practice in adapting materials from non-dramatic forms. Duplicates credit in the former MPW 920.

Writing the play, teleplay or screenplay, focusing on character development and scene structure, in collaboration with the workshop. Duplicates credit in the former MPW 930.

Reading and viewing films with an eye toward the development and completion of the first 45 -- 60 pages of an original screenplay.

Introduction to television writing, from pitching to polishing, with all the responsibilities of a staff writer.

Seminar and workshop with adjustable focus on aspects of professional and creative writing in relation to the literary marketplace.

Practical experience in the writing world. Enables students to acquire skills and knowledge that cannot be gained in the classroom. Graded CR/NC.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the program director. Graded CR/NC.

Supervised preparation of a full-length manuscript in student's major concentration: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or writing for stage and screen. Credit upon completion of project.

Supervised preparation of a full-length manuscript in student's major concentration: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or writing for stage and screen. Credit upon completion of project.

Supervised preparation of a full-length manuscript in student's major concentration: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or writing for stage and screen. Credit upon completion of project.