Writing the One-Act Play
Douglas Post
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Deadline December 26, 2025
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Format Online
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Tuition $475
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Next Start Date January 6, 2026
Course Description
Founded on the principles of clear writing developed at The University of Chicago’s renowned Writing Program, this course helps students learn how to write clearly for academic and professional purposes. The course is open and useful to all from the most experienced writers to those uncertain about their writing skills. The aim of the course is to demystify what it means to write clearly by teaching principles that focus on the needs of readers. Students will also be taught how to apply those principles at the sentence and paragraph levels. The idea is to liberate students from learning more “rules,” and following vague advice about what makes “good” writing. This 5-week hybrid course will consist of asynchronous lectures of approximately 1 hour each and a synchronous seminar that meets 2 hours per week on Zoom. Prior to each seminar, students will be asked to view the lectures, share their writing (either previously written or written for the course), and analyze fellow student writing by applying the principles. Students will then share their analyses in the seminar. This course will be taught by Millie Rey, a veteran lector at The University of Chicago, Writing Program with over 20 years of experience teaching the Writing Program principles. Millie currently holds various positions at the University: writing advisor for the Master of Liberal Arts Program and the Leadership & Society Initiative, and capstone instructor for the Threat & Response Management Program. As a consultant, she works with individuals, educational institutions, organizations and corporations to help them develop / execute academic projects, implement change, clarify messaging and deliver value. She is currently in the process of launching her consultancy: Write to Do.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Available Course Sections
Here I was introduced to perspectives from the humanities and social sciences that challenged me to approach things from different angles and become more tolerant to differences. Enrolling in Graham is the best decision I ever made.
Alvaro Iriarte MLA‘23
Once you start, there is a thirst within you for more. The desire for new knowledge and understanding never ends.
Rosemarie Mitchell MLA’12
Guided by expert staff, and aided by students with a variety of experience and knowledge, I gained new understanding, opened myself to new points of view, and have grown intellectually.
Roberta Lee CER’22
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
