The University offers several opportunities for students who want to learn more about films, filmmaking, and digital-video production.
Library Collection
Clayton State's Library houses hundreds of DVD and VHS films, representing a wide range of styles and national cinemas. All are available for a free, seven-day check out to any Clayton State student, unless a title has been placed on library reserve for a class. All available films are listed in the library catalog.
Additional titles are added each year. Please contact Dr. Virginia Bonner with suggestions.
Film Festivals and Screenings
The Department plans multiple festivals during each academic school year. More information is available on the festivals page.
The Student Life Activities Committee (SLAC) also sponsors regular screenings.
Art, Film & Video Club
The Art, Film, & Video Club sponsors video screenings and other film-related events every semester. See the club's web site for more information.
Film and Video Classes
Check the DUCK for schedule times.
CMS 2100 Introduction to Film
This class introduces cinema as an art form. It is a required lower-division course for Communication and Media Studies (CMS) majors. It also fulfills an Area C.2 (Humanities) requirement for all Clayton State students. Attendance is required for weekly out-of-class screenings.
CMS 3720 New Media Design
This course includes instruction in advanced Web design, streaming media, and Flash animation. Prerequisite: CMS 3710
CMS 4310 Film Analysis and Criticism
This course continues the humanities-based approach to cinema begun in CMS 2100, now in a writing-intensive format. Through weekly writing assignments, students master film theory and criticism within historical and international contexts. Attendance is required for weekly out-of-class screenings.Prerequisite: CMS 2100
CMS 4320 Women and Film
This course explores the role of women in the cinema as on-screen representations, spectators, and filmmakers. It also surveys some of the most influential writings in the field of feminist film theory. Films represent three distinct historical phases: classical Hollywood, experimental, and contemporary cinemas. Attendance is required for weekly out-of-class screenings.Prerequisite: CMS 2100
CMS 4330 Film Genres
An analysis of specific genres of American and international cinema, focusing on the conventions and icons of those genres and examining significant films within them. Attendance is required for weekly out-of-class screenings. May be repeated when topics vary. Prerequisite: CMS 2100
CMS 4410 Digital Video Production
An introduction to the three primary phases of video creation: pre-production (planning), production (shooting), and post-production (nonlinear editing). Prerequisite: CMS 2100
CMS 4450 Digital Video Post Production
Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, students master the basic principles, terms, and concepts of digital nonlinear editing. Fundamentals of video storytelling--including continuity, pacing, and dramatic structure--are emphasized. Prerequisite: CMS 2100
ITMM 4404 Multimedia Design and Production
Offered by the Department of Information Technology, this course includes instruction in 3D design and digital video production.
Forthcoming courses
CMS 3340 National Cinemas
Description to come.
CMS 4430 Film History
Description to come.