Screenwriting: Theory and Practice

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 2016
Course ID icon
Course ID
200903
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Adelaide City Campus West, Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Humanities
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Patrick Flanery
Course level icon
Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This second-year course aims to familiarise students with a wide variety of approaches to writing for screen. Students will be introduced to the formal and industry-oriented expectations of a range of genres and formats, including writing for feature films, for streaming/series, and for fine art/installation. The course works to develop students technical skills in relation to this form of writing, in addition to affording opportunities to explore different genres and formats as they work towards a portfolio of short scripts.

  • Foundations
  • Features And Form
  • Shorts And Experiments

Course learning outcomes

  • Critically analyse different modes, histories, and theories of screenwriting
  • Analyse creative, critical, and theoretical texts related to different screenwriting forms, informed by an understanding of the national and historical contexts of their production
  • Conceptualise short screenwriting projects, incorporating processes of research, drafting, and revision, and fulfil these to deadlines, aiming for a produceable standard
  • Critically assess a range of screenplays, whether produced by other writers or by students themselves
  • Describe national and international screen ecosystems and industry practices
  • Offer sensitive and insightful feedback on peer writers' work

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 55079
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 100
Available
Available 99
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-16
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 9:10am - 10am Adelaide City Campus East Centenary, C4-16
Class number
Class number 55084
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316
Class number
Class number 55083
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 102
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Nexus10, 102
Class number
Class number 55082
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 21 Sep Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2052
12 Oct - 9 Nov Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Barr Smith South, 2052
Class number
Class number 55081
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 29
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 323
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 323

Magill

Class number
Class number 55088
Section
Section WS01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 10:10am - 12pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04A
Class number
Class number 55087
Section
Section WS02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 9:10am - 11am Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
Class number
Class number 55086
Section
Section WS03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-04
Class number
Class number 55085
Section
Section WS04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 12:10pm - 2pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H2-03A
Class number
Class number 60249
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 120
Available
Available 120
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Magill ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.