AP/JWST 4819 6.00

Visions of the End: Early Jewish and Christian Apocalypticism

This course investigates the origins, development and continuing legacies of apocalypticism in ancient Judaism and in the history of Christianity. We will focus on understanding: (1) apocalyptic literature (biblical and nonbiblical, including 1 Enoch, Daniel, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Revelation); (2) millennial movements; and (3) the apocalyptic worldview, which centers on the notion of God’s ultimate intervention in order to destroy evil and inaugurate an eternal perfect kingdom. We will spend some time looking at the legacies of apocalypticism for religious movements, popular culture (e.g. film), and artistic representation in late antiquity, the middle ages, and the modern world to the present day.

Students taking the course will come to understand important aspects of social and religious life in the ancient world (especially Second Temple Judaism and the Jesus movement) while also acquiring firsthand knowledge of a religious worldview that has come to play an important role in the history of Christianity and western civilization. Although analysis of literary evidence will be central, students will also acquire skills in analyzing visual materials (e.g. art and film).
A variety of assignments involving both written and oral communication will develop students’ ability to express themselves clearly and to engage in research in an academic manner. The course will be designed to encourage both interactive and self directed learning among these upper level students.

RESERVED SPACES: All spaces reserved for Year 3 and Year 4 Humanities and Religious Studies Majors and Minors.
PREREQUISITE: N/A
COURSE CREDIT EXCLUSIONS: AP/HUMA 4819 3.0 PRIOR TO FALL 2009: AS/HUMA 4819 3.00, AS/HUMA 4819 6.00.