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The End of the World
| Semester and Year | FA 2012 |
| Course Number | IDSEM-UG1701 |
| Section | 001 |
| Instructor | Matthew Stanley |
| Days | Mon,Wed |
| Time | 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM |
| Units | 4.0 |
| Level | U |
| Foundation Requirement |
Description
The idea of the world coming to an end is a characteristic and fundamental part of the western tradition. The course will examine the emergence of the idea of end-time thinking, often called apocalypticism, and consider its persistence and influence through religious, psychological, sociological, and literary lenses. We will examine Jewish and early Christian apocalypticism, its revival in the middle ages and nineteenth century America, the rereading of Biblical narratives as atomic destruction during the Cold War, and the development of science-based apocalypses. The course will close with deep investigation of the Mayan calendar and the modern eschatological movements inspired by it. Readings may include: Book of Daniel; Book of Revelation; Wessinger, Millenialism, Persecution, and Violence ; Kyle, The Last Days are Here Again ; Paul Davies, The Last Three Minutes ; Mary Shelley, The Last Man ; Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End ; Paul Boyer, When Time Shall Be No More ; Mayan calendrical documents relating to 2012; Cormac McCarthy, The Road ; John Hall, Apocalypse ; Film: On the Beach ; Carl Sagan, The Cold and the Dark ; Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth .
Syllabus
Course Type
Interdisciplinary Seminars (IDSEM-UG)
