Faculty profile

CRW 201 SCREENWRITING: INTRODUCTORY - This introductory course explores the screenwriting genre as it applies to a visual medium.  Students will engage in writing exercises to learn the elements of story, character development, structure, scene study and dialogue.  Students will also analyze professional screenplays, learn to pitch and write their own short film script. No prerequisite.

CRW 330 FORM AND THEORY OF GENRES: HORROR - Created to evoke nightmares and to push boundaries, the horror genre serves an important societal function. It is a barometer for all our social anxieties. The purpose of this course is to examine American horror in all its forms: novels, short stories, graphic novels, urban legends, as well as short and feature films. We will explore how this genre has reflected America through the decades, its taboos and monsters, and how these scary stories continue to influence our fears. Graded work will include a midterm and multiple essays or creative alternatives.

CRW 395 SPECIAL TOPICS: THE HISTORY OF COMICS - The History of Comics will be an exploration of the comic book industry as a reflection of America. From the rise of Superman in the 30s, the evolution of the Marvel Age in the 60s, the creator driven and emotional story of struggle in Maus during the 80s, to today's diverse reinvention of the form with Miles Morales and Into the Spider-verse, comic books have grown just as quickly as the ever changing American landscape. These American myths have shaped the lives of millions and transformed into the Hollywood behemoth we see today. Along the way, this seemingly niche industry went through the same growing pains as the world surrounding it. This course will attempt to examine the thin line between fact and fiction in one of America’s most influential forms of art and literature and discuss what it truly means to be a hero in American culture.