The Course
Before The Walking Dead, before The Omen, and even before the Book of Revelation, there were prophecies, songs, and stories about the end of the world—tales of fire and renewal, deceivers and saviors, chaos and cosmic judgment.
On July 14, 2025, join Diana W. Pasulka, scholar of religion and author of American Cosmic and Encounters, and Christopher J. Moreland, Ph.D. candidate and instructor at UNC Wilmington, for four sessions online via Zoom (recorded and uploaded with additional digital resources).
Together, we’ll explore what is often referred to as The End of Days.
SESSION 1: The End Foretold — Christian Eschatology
We begin with the foundational apocalyptic texts: the Book of Revelation. What is Christian Eschatology (studies of the end times)? Why is there so much variety within the Christian denominations about this New Testament book? We will examine the history of Apocalyptic literature, with its emphasis on recurring signs—earthquakes, societal collapse, moral breakdown, and the rise of an adversary figure—and ask: are these literal predictions, symbolic warnings, or both?
SESSION 2: The Antichrist Unveiled — Figures of Deception
This session turns to the figure of the Antichrist, a shape-shifting concept that has evolved through religious texts and political history. From Polycarp’s warnings, to Soloviev’s fictional “man of peace”, to the Catholic Catechism’s “pseudo-messianism,” the Antichrist has been cast as everything from an individual leader to a spirit of rebellion. We'll examine proposed candidates—Nero, Napoleon, AI, and globalist systems—while reflecting on traits associated with deception, charisma, and “godless” humanism. Is the Antichrist a real person, a force, a system, or an algorithm?
SESSION 3: Apocalyptic Visions in Media
How has the apocalypse been imagined, feared, and aestheticized in visual media? We’ll explore representations in film and television—from The Omen, Prince of Darkness, Rosemary’s Baby, and the cult evangelical thriller A Thief in the Night. These works don’t just entertain; they shape our moral imagination and interpret “the end” for modern viewers. What happens when sacred symbolism becomes secular spectacle? How do these stories influence belief and behavior?
SESSION 4: Christian Apocalypse and Its Contenders
In our final session, we place the Christian end-times narrative alongside other powerful apocalyptic frameworks: the AI Apocalypse, Environmental Collapse, Secular Extinction. What unites these visions of the end? Are they truly separate—or converging into one archetype of collapse? Drawing on religious, philosophical, and psychological insights, we’ll explore how these stories are reshaping our understanding of time, humanity, and the sacred. Is apocalypse still a religious concept—or has it become our default cultural lens?
Course Overview
Format: 4 live Zoom sessions (recorded), with downloadable materials
Instructors: Diana W. Pasulka and Christopher J. Moreland
Start Date: July 14, 2025
Along with the live Zoom sessions (recorded and posted in the course platform), you will get digital materials relating to the subject matter for each session, including digital downloads.
Spaces are limited!
Join us for this timely course.
Note: This course is part of a trilogy of courses. Part 2 continues Fall 2025 (AI Apocalypse), Spring 2026 (Marian Prophecies) (Please note: Each course in the trilogy is priced and purchased separately.)