CMS 4802: Zombies on Screens
The special topics course CMS 4802 Zombies on Screens examines the figure of the zombie in recent U.S. film, television, and video games. We examine the ways that the zombie itself, along with images of the zombie apocalypse, offer audiences spaces to play with and work through various real-life dreams, desires, fears, and cultural divisions.
The basic setup of the course is to watch, play, talk, think, and write about zombies with me and your classmates. Links to other sections of this syllabus will be found in the header menu as well as the General Class Policies menu. Additional course materials are accessible to enrolled students through D2L.
The course was last taught in Spring 2023, when it met in a traditional, face-to-face format. This syllabus is not complete; check here frequently to make sure that you have the most current information.
Spoiler Warning
Unfortunately, we will not be able to avoid spoilers in our discussions of movies, shows, or games.
Required Textbook
- Ian Olney, Zombie Cinema, Rutgers UP, 2017
In addition, we will read a variety of PDF and online resources, all linked through the Content panel in D2L.
Required Movies/TV/Games
Required texts will be listed on our schedule. Students will be able to access assigned films for free via Swank.
A partial list of zombie titles is collected on a separate page.
Required Software, Hardware, and Technical Capabilities
In addition to Desire2Learn, the following software programs and capabilities are necessary for success in this course. The Hub offers training resources to help students master these tools.
- Webcam and Microphone
- For quizzes and exams, you may be required to use the Respondus Lockdown Browser, which includes video monitoring. If your laptop does not have a built-in webcam, you will need to invest in or borrow one to use with your university-mandated laptop computer. (Wikipedia has a useful entry on webcams.)
- Game Footage Capture Utility (e.g. OBS for PC)
- Major assignments will require that students record their game footage and upload multiple clips to a personal account on YouTube. Modern game consoles have built-in sharing features that simplify this process. If you are playing on a PC, however, you will need a software tool like the free Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS.
- Lockdown Browser
- You may be required to use the Respondus Lockdown Browser for quizzes and exams. You will download and install this on your laptop from within D2L. Please complete this process by taking the Sample Quiz during the first week of class.
- Web Browser: Firefox or Chrome or Safari
- In this media-rich class, using an up-to-date browser is mandatory.
- Microsoft Teams
- Students should download the Teams app to their computer, since the Web-based version doesn’t support screen- and video-sharing the Hub’s Knowledge Base article details the necessary steps.
- PDF Reader (Adobe Reader)
- Students must be able to read PDF files.
- Media Player: VLC or equivalent
- Students must be able to play mp3 and mp4 files. Many software tools will enable this, including VLC, which is available for free download.
- Microsoft Word word processing
- Students must be able to compose and read documents saved in the Microsoft Word “docx” format.
- Clayton State email
- Students must access their CSU email accounts on a regular basis. They must be able to use these accounts to attach and retrieve attached files.
Contact Information
My contact information including office hours is collected on separate page.
Violence, Vulgarity, and Profanity
A note of warning: We are all adults, and we are studying a culture that is often violent, vulgar, and profane. As a result, you may hear or see adult content in the materials assigned for our class. Nothing assigned by me or submitted by other students should exceed the MPAA rating of R. When engaging in class discussions, if you submit material that is Not Safe For Work (NSFW) or other venues and audiences, please note this in your subject line as a convenience to your classmates. Please also be aware that your contributions should conform to the class’s rules regarding Online Etiquette.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
It is my intent that students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity along multiple dimensions, including ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students or student groups.
Disability Services
Students with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Center, Edgewater Hall, Suite 255; 678-466-5445; disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu