Why Is There Evil In The World?

3 Credits

The problem of evil has been a focus of intense reflection by philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and novelists. Students will address this key theme in the human condition in this course. The class will enable students to analyze this question in a written form and orally by drawing on a variety of methodologies from different fields in the humanities including philosophy, religion, history, and art . Students will not only read and analyze classical texts from the Western canon and beyond, such as the biblical book of Job, as well modern interpretation of classical themes in TV shows such as Good Omens. The case studies examined, historical and contemporary alike, including Egypt in antiquity, Italy of the Middle Ages, and twentieth century Germany and France.