Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing

Chair and Associate Professor: M. Gunter (MFA), 450-3162
Distinguished Professor Emeritus: J. Anderson (PhD)
Professor: B. Hutchinson (PhD), S. Vanderslice (MFA, PhD)
Associate Professor: K. Browne (PhD), C. Fritzges (MFA), Sh. Meador (MFA), Wm S. Meador (MFA), G. C. Powell (MFA), M. Spitzer (MFA), J. Vanderslice (MFA, PhD)
Assistant Professor: G. Blakey (EdD), J. Case (PhD), J. Gerber (MFA), S. Longhorn (MFA)
Lecturer II: C. Churchill (MFA), B. May (MFA)
Lecturer I: R. Scallet (MFA)

[1] Purposes

The department offers professional training in the areas of film, theatre, and creative writing. It also seeks to educate interested non-professionals who seek to become participating members of a knowledgeable audience. Additionally, through broadcast, print, cinematic, and theatrical productions, students and faculty of the department share their work with the people of Arkansas.

[2] Facilities

State-of-the-art facilities support each program in the department. The Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing is housed in Stanley Russ Hall and the Snow Fine Arts Center. Stanley Russ Hall includes production soundstages, audio recording and mixing studios, two computer labs labs featuring Adobe Creative Cloud software, production areas, and a 16-seat 4K screening room with surround sound. Theatre facilities include classrooms, a well-equipped technical area, a CAD laboratory, a Black-Box studio theatre, and a 300-seat proscenium theatre in the Snow Fine Arts Center as well as the 1200-seat Reynolds Performance Hall.

[3] Honors in the Majors

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

Students who major in Film or Theatre may be invited by the faculty of the department to enter the Honors in the Majors program in the first semester of the senior year. To earn honors, students must major one of these areas and enroll in MCOM 3322. Students will submit a final honors project paper or performance no later than February 1 for May graduation, October 1 for December graduation, or June 1 for August graduation.

[4] Baccalaureate Degrees

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

[4.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Film

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in Film requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) specific degree requirements; (3) the digital filmmaking core courses FILM 1305 and FILM 1310; (4) major requirements and electives as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.1.1] Major in Film (44 hours)

Undergraduate Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication, and FILM courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4 as the required UCA Core capstone.

Required courses (32 hours):

FILM 1305 Introduction to Film
FILM 1310 Introduction to Visual Storytelling
FILM 2310 Script Analysis
FILM 2466 Digital Filmmaking 1
FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1
FILM 3351 Cinema History 2 [UD UCA Core: D]
FILM 3456 Digital Filmmaking 2
FILM 4356 Digital Filmmaking 3 [UD UCA Core: C]
FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4 [UD UCA Core: Z]

Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following):

FILM 3316 Film Theory Since 1960
FILM 3321 Internship (120 clock hours)
FILM 3322 Directed Study in Digital Filmmaking
FILM 4305 Production Design
FILM 4311 Cinematography
FILM 4320 Film Editing
FILM 4354 Animation for Visual Effects
FILM 4355 Visual Effects Compositing
FILM 4363 Audio Production and Design for Film
FILM 4373 Documentary Production
FILM 4380 Seminar in Film Studies
FILM 4392 Topics in Digital Production (Producing, Directing, etc.)
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
THEA 2320 Stage Make-Up
THEA 3310 Costume Design
CRWR 3320 Forms of Screenwriting
CRWR 3376 Screenwriting Workshop

[4.1.2] Minor in Film (22 hours)

Students must complete a minor declaration form to enroll in the program.

Students seeking a minor in Film are required to complete the following:

Required (16 hours):

FILM 1305 Introduction to Film
FILM 1310 Introduction to Visual Storytelling
FILM 2310 Script Analysis
FILM 2466 Digital Filmmaking 1
FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory
or
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1

Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following):

FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory
FILM 3316 Film Theory Since 1960
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1
FILM 3351 Cinema History 2
FILM 3456 Digital Filmmaking 2
FILM 4305 Production Design
FILM 4311 Cinematography
FILM 4320 Film Editing
FILM 4354 Animation for Visual Effects
FILM 4355 Visual Effects Compositing
FILM 4356 Digital Filmmaking 3
FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4
FILM 4363 Audio Production and Design for Film
FILM 4373 Documentary Production
FILM 4380 Seminar in Film Studies
FILM 4392 Topics in Digital Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
CRWR 3320 Forms of Screenwriting
CRWR 3376 Screenwriting Workshop

[4.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Theatre

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in theatre requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) specific degree requirements; (3) requirements for the major as described below; and (4) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.2.1] Major in Theatre (43 hours)

Undergraduate Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication, and Theatre courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take THEA 4320 Directing as the required UCA Core capstone.

Required (30 hours):

THEA 1360 Text Analysis
THEA 1370 Voice and Movement
THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 2331 Stagecraft
THEA 2390 Acting I
THEA 3324 Theatre History I [UD UCA Core: I]
THEA 3325 Theatre History II [UD UCA Core: C, D]
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting or THEA 3310 Costume Design or THEA 4340 Scene Design
THEA 4300 Professional Issues [UD UCA Core: R]
THEA 4320 Directing [UD UCA Core: Z]

Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):

THEA 2200 Dance for the Theatre
THEA 2320 Stage Make-Up
THEA 2330 Stage Management
THEA 3305 Scenic Painting for Theatre
THEA 3310 Costume Design
THEA 3320 Digital Design
THEA 3331 Stagecraft II
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting
THEA 3390 Acting Styles: Farce, Commedia, Comedy of Manners
THEA 3391 Acting Styles: Shakespeare, Greek
THEA 4305 Acting for the Camera
THEA 4315 Topics in Theatre Performance (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4321 Topics in Technical Theatre (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4322 Theatre Workshop
THEA 4326 Costume History
THEA 4340 Scene Design

Required Application Courses (4 hours):

THEA 1122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 2122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 3122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 4122 Theatre Production and Performance

Optional:

THEA 3V50 Directed Study in Theatre (Variable credit, 1 to 3 hours)
MCOM 3321 Internship
(Directed Study and Internship not included in hours for the major)

[4.2.2] Minor in Theatre (20 hours)

Students seeking a Minor in Theatre are required to complete the following:

Required (6 hours):

THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 2390 Acting I

Electives (12 hours – at least 9 hours to be upper division) from the following:

THEA 1360 Text Analysis
THEA 1370 Voice and Movement
THEA 2331 Stagecraft
THEA 2320 Stage Makeup
THEA 2330 Stage Management
THEA 3305 Scenic Painting for Theatre
THEA 3310 Costume Design [Note 1]
THEA 3320 Digital Design [Note 1]
THEA 3324 Theatre History I [Note 3]
THEA 3325 Theatre History II [Note 3]
THEA 3331 Stagecraft II [Note 4]
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting [Note 1]
THEA 3390 Acting Styles: Farce, Commedia, Comedy or Manners [Note 2]
THEA 3391 Acting Styles: Shakespeare, Greek [Note 2]
THEA 4300 Professional Issues [UD UCA Core: R]
THEA 4305 Acting for the Camera [Note 2]
THEA 4315 Topics in Performance [Note 2]
(May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4320 Directing [Note 2] and [Note 3]
THEA 4321 Topics in Technical Theatre [Note 1]
(May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4322 Theatre Workshop
THEA 4340 Scene Design [Note 1] and [Note 4]
THEA 4326 Costume History

Application courses (2 hours):

All students are required to complete 1 hour credit at any two levels. (Each level may be repeated once for a maximum 2 hours credit.) Minimum grade of ‘B’ for Minor credit.

THEA 1122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 2122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 3122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 4122 Theatre Production and Performance

Notes:
Note 1: Prerequisite THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Note 2: Prerequisite THEA 2390 Acting I
Note 3: Prerequisite THEA 1360 Text Analysis
Note 4: Prerequisite THEA 2331 Stagecraft

[4.4] Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

[4.3] Major in Creative Writing (36 hours)

One Creative Writing required course (CRWR 2310, Introduction to Creative Writing) satisfies the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity (D). Students may take CRWR 4324, Topics in Creative Writing, to satisfy the UCA Core capstone (Z) requirement.
Required courses (24 hours):

CRWR 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing [ACTS: ENGL2013]
WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
6 hours CRWR “Forms” courses (CRWR 3320, 3321, 3325, 3330, 3331, 3335, or 3345)
6 hours CRWR “Workshop” courses (CRWR 3370, 3371, 3372, 3373, 3374, 3375, 3376, 3377 or 3378)
6 hours CRWR “Topics” courses (CRWR 4324, 4340 4371, or 4372)

Creative Writing Electives (12 hours chosen from the following):

CRWR 3320 Forms of Screenwriting
CRWR 3321 Forms of Playwriting
CRWR 3325 Forms of Poetry
CRWR 3330 Forms of Creative Nonfiction
CRWR 3331 Forms of Illustrated Narrative
CRWR 3335 Forms of Fiction
CRWR 3345 Forms of Writing for Children
CRWR 3370 Poetry Workshop
CRWR 3371 Fiction Workshop
CRWR 3372 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
CRWR 3373 Illustrated Narrative Workshop
CRWR 3374 Travel Writing Workshop
CRWR 3375 Writing for Children Workshop
CRWR 3376 Screenwriting Workshop
CRWR 3377 Genre Fiction Workshop
CRWR 3378 Playwriting Workshop
CRWR 4324 Topics in Creative Writing [UD UCA Core: Z]
CRWR 4340 Teaching Creative Writing
CRWR 4371 Novel Writing Workshop
CRWR 4372 Novella Workshop

Other Writing Electives:

WRTG 2325 Introduction to Rhetoric
WRTG 3301 Rhetoric and Composition
WRTG 3306 Information Design II: Usability and Accessibility
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
WRTG 3340 Writing Acquisition: Theory and Practice
WRTG 3390 Discourse Analysis [UD UCA Core: I, R]
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing (variable credit, 1-3 credit hours)
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing

Note on Prerequisites

Introduction to Creative Writing (CRWR 2310) is a prerequisite to taking upper-division creative writing classes. A genre-appropriate forms class (CRWR 3320-3345) must be taken before enrolling in a corresponding workshop class (CRWR 3370-3377). Before enrolling in a senior-level course, a student must complete six hours of upper-division creative writing courses.

[2.1.5] Minor in Creative Writing (24 hours)

Required courses (15 hours):

CRWR 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing [ACTS: ENGL2013]
WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
3 hours CRWR “Forms” course (CRWR 3320, 3321, 3325, 3330, 3331, 3335, or 3345)
3 hours CRWR “Workshop” course (CRWR 3370, 3371, 3372, 3373, 3374, 3375, 3376, 3377, or 3378)
CRWR 4324 Topics in Creative Writing [UD UCA Core: Z]

Electives (9 hours) from the following:

CRWR 3320 Forms of Screenwriting
CRWR 3321 Forms of Playwriting
CRWR 3325 Forms of Poetry
CRWR 3330 Forms of Creative Nonfiction
CRWR 3331 Forms of Illustrated Narrative
CRWR 3335 Forms of Fiction
CRWR 3345 Forms of Writing For Children
CRWR 3370 Poetry Workshop
CRWR 3371 Fiction Workshop
CRWR 3372 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
CRWR 3373 Illustrated Narrative Workshop
CRWR 3374 Travel Writing Workshop
CRWR 3375 Workshop in Writing for Children
CRWR 3376 Screenwriting Workshop
CRWR 3377 Genre Fiction Workshop
CRWR 3378 Playwriting Workshop
CRWR 4324 Topics in Creative Writing [UD UCA Core: Z]
CRWR 4340 Teaching Creative Writing
CRWR 4371 Novel Writing Workshop
CRWR 4372 Novella Workshop

Professional Writing:

WRTG 2325 Introduction to Rhetoric
WRTG 3301 Rhetoric and Composition
WRTG 3306 Information Design II: Usability and Accessibility
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
WRTG 3340 Writing Acquisition: Theory and Practice
WRTG 3390 Discourse Analysis [UD UCA Core: I, R]
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing

Note on prerequisites:
CRWR 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing is a prerequisite to taking upper-division creative writing classes. A genre-appropriate forms class (CRWR 3320-3345) must be taken before enrolling in a corresponding workshop class (CRWR 3370-3377). Before enrolling in a senior-level course, a student must complete six hours of upper-division creative writing courses.

[5] Resources

[5.1] The Great Bear Writing Project of Central Arkansas

The Great Bear Writing Project of Central Arkansas is one of three Arkansas sites of the National Writing Project, a federally funded program that seeks to improve student writings in grades K-12. It has been recognized by the American Association for Higher Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an “outstanding and nationally specific example of how schools and colleges can collaborate to improve American education.”  Every other year the site offers a four-week invitational summer writing institute for K-12 teachers across subject matter areas during which they study contemporary composition theory, experience of the act of writing, devise effective pedagogy, and earn 3 graduate credits. Graduates of this institute become teacher-consultants able to provide in-service workshops to local educators in teaching writing-across-the-curriculum and join a network of colleagues who meet regularly to renew and update skills and knowledge.

[5.2] The Artists in Residence Series

Residencies bring professional performing and visual artists, creative writers, filmmakers, and arts exhibitions to the UCA campus for one or more days for the purpose of expanding student learning experiences. They offer the general student body performances, lectures, and exhibits that enlarge awareness and appreciation of the arts, and provide students participating in the arts with workshops, masterclasses, critiques, etc. that enhance understanding and professionalism.

The Central Arkansas Writing Arts Series invites three to six distinguished writers to the campus each year. Visiting writers conduct workshops for students interested in creative writing and perform readings open to the community.

[6] Course Links

Follow this link for CRWR course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for FILM course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for THEA course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link for WRTG course descriptions: course link