REL 276(S) Life After Death

A study of Western ideas about the afterlife, concentrating on ancient literature but with a brief look at some non-Western traditions. The course will begin with Sumerian ideas of life after death, together with stories of heroes who visited the abode of the death. It will progress through classical and biblical views of the same and end with the medieval world. The readings will include The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, The Hebrew Bible, Plato, The New Testament, Intertestamental Literature, the Koran, Mu-lien Rescues his Mother from Hell, and The Golden Ass. Responsibilities will include regular attendance, two oral reports closely associated with the reading in class, and a twenty page term paper. Students may pick any topic worldwide for their term paper. Papers should concentrate on a single document or group of documents, or a ritual. (This course is part of the new Jewish Studies cluster.)

Hour: SEGAL