Apocalypse Now! RL5013

How have humans imagined the end of the world? Why do end-time narratives remain relevant today? What apocalyptic visions circulate in popular culture, and where do the building blocks of these ideas come from?

The course Apocalypse Now! offers a foundational introduction to some of the most influential conceptions of the end of the world as expressed through text and image in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Many of these ideas have a rich and varied reception history that continues to shape cultural, political, and religious visions of the future. The course focuses on the use and development of apocalyptic themes in contemporary fiction, film, and other forms of popular culture. Conceptual learning is central to the course, which takes a global and comparative approach.

Students will write a paper within one of three specialization topics: Climate Apocalypse, Dystopia/Post-Apocalypse, or The End.

This is an elective course in several master's programs.

Structure and Organization

Teaching in Apocalypse Now! will be delivered through lectures and seminars. The course is offered in collaboration with the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements (CenSAMM), and some lectures may therefore be held digitally. Parts of the instruction will be in English.

The course may include a study trip to the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements (https://censamm.org/) and the Panacea Museum (https://panaceamuseum.org/) in Bedford, England.

About the study

Study requirements

To receive a final assessment, the student must:

Have a draft of an individual written assignment (1000-1500 words) approved, which forms the basis for the final assessment in the course. Present the draft to fellow students in a teacher-led seminar on one occasion. Provide feedback on a fellow student’s assignment on one occasion. Attend at least 75% of the seminars. Participate in the course evaluation if it is conducted electronically during the relevant semester.

Students who do not meet these requirements will not be permitted to take the exam in the course. To avoid using an exam attempt, the student must actively withdraw their exam registration for the course by the withdrawal deadline of May 1 / November 1.

Final assessment/Exam

The course uses an individual written assignment (3500-4500 words) as its form of assessment. The assignment may be written in Norwegian or English. The final grade (A-F) is based on the assignment.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

The student has:

In-depth knowledge of how apocalyptic ideas are expressed in contemporary popular culture In-depth knowledge of selected end-time concepts in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism Solid knowledge of texts, visual media, and traditions that have conveyed and refined these ideas Solid knowledge of key academic concepts

SKILLS

The student can:

Identify and analyze apocalyptic cultural expressions Apply disciplinary terminology to understand historical and contemporary future scenarios and visions of the end of the world Analyze a film, book, short story, or series, applying relevant theoretical perspectives Develop an academic text (individual written assignment) and provide constructive feedback on peers’ unfinished academic texts

Overlapping courses

RL5013 Apocalypse Now! overlaps by 10 ECTS credits with RL2013 Apocalypse Now! Students who have completed RL2013 Apocalypse Now! will receive 0 ECTS credits for RL5013 Apocalypse Now! on their transcript or diploma.

Course Coordinator

Lied, Liv Ingeborg

Professor

Liv.I.Lied@mf.no

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