Apocalyptic Grief

Human caused climate change has already irreparably altered the earth’s natural environment, and in the coming years these changes are certain to accelerate into routine and unrelenting catastrophe. In noting that religion often attends to the dying through practices of mourning and grief, this course will seek to consider how categories of apocalypse, pastoral care, lament, ritual, and the creative Arts might be crucial to our common future. Readings and film screenings will focus upon depictions of apocalypse and dystopia in recent art, as well ethical and theoretical considerations of the end of the world in critical and theological writings.
This is a limited enrollment course. Interested students should attend the first course meeting. If the course is overenrolled, a selection procedure will be described at that first meeting. Selected students will then be invited to enroll in the course by the end of the day following the first class meeting.