This course offers an introduction to ways of thinking about, and visualizing, “the global” over time. People from different societies and cultures have been drawn together as a result of processes that can best be conceived of as “flows” of people, capital, ideas and goods. Using a panoramic lens, we will explore a series of interactions, analyzing the wide-ranging effects of those interactions and the artifacts they produced. By studying a variety of encounters, we will cultivate a broader sense of how the “global” has been defined and experienced through the lens of cultural interaction. Globalization itself is not a new phenomenon; it can be traced back centuries if not millennia.

Is the world ending? Are we all going to die? In this course, we will explore how people around the world have answered these questions in different times, places, and sociocultural contexts. Together, we will analyze art, literature, film, and cultural expressions and their implications on societal values, fears, and aspirations. We will explore a wide range of films and other media from all over the world. From the classics, like Godzilla (1954), Mad Max (1979), Threads (1984), to different genres like anime including Attack on Titan, The End of Evangelion, to lesser known films from around the world such as Mami Wata (Nigeria), The Host (South Korea). In addition to watching films, we will read literature, historical, and academic texts as well as engage in class discussions on how apocalyptic narratives intersect with historical events, global interactions, and regional contexts. By comparing and contrasting these perspectives, the course aims to foster a deeper understanding of global cultural diversity and the shared human experience of confronting existential threats. Assessments for the course will include short written reflections, in class participation activities, and final exam.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.