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CS92PROD
Thinking with Demons
HIST 148
Spring 2015
Section: 01  
Crosslisting: RELI 210, MDST 148

As the perennial bad boy of Judeo-Christian tradition, the devil has exerted an enduring fascination on Western culture for two millennia and counting. He and his kind remain so compelling in part because they tap into both our most profound anxieties and our deepest desires. This course will explore the myriad of ways humans across the centuries have found demons useful to "think with," employing them to everything from explaining the existence of evil to justifying violence against others. It will also introduce you to the conventions of college-level writing, and to the perspectives of different academic disciplines, which the many aspects of the demonic provide an ideal opportunity to explore. The first half of the course will focus on the devil and demons in ancient and medieval culture, emphasizing their critical impact on the formation of medieval Christianity. The second half will address the role of the demonic in European culture after 1500, including the great witch trials and the fears of the diabolic that emerged as part of colonial encounter, before considering the way ideas of the devil continue to function in contemporary society.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: None
Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89%

Last Updated on MAR-29-2024
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