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Course Descriptions for The Institute for PostApocology |
OVERVIEW
Note: As a new institution, the Institute for PostApocology's noncredit courses are
still in development, with an expectation of formal availability in
Fall of 2008. Full accreditation seems unlikely until 2009 or
later.
Through a multi-disciplinary format, courses at the Institute range over
a variety of topics, from the Seven Vectors of Humor to Fluid
Dynamics in Continuous Mechanical Systems. We aim to provide students
with a vast selection of learning opportunities in PostApocology
Studies.
A full curricular catalogue will be available soon,
with an emphasis on Earth, Climate and Biology studies as they pertain
to PostApocalypse analysis; in
the the meantime, below is a sample of some of the newer Liberal Arts
courses that we intend to offer.
PHILOSOPHY
P147 -- Climax Theory (1 cr)
Instructor: James
Climax theory postulates a solipsistic vision that all deaths are a
personal Apocalypse for the individual, and that any concerns for the
larger, macro-Apocalypse are no more than an act of projection or
anthromanticizing (see course P214). It raises the question: Does anyone even
exist - save for the person asking the question. Even that, some
argue, is debatable. In this course, we'll also study the alimentary
cana,l as arguably, this "climax" theory is based on the biomatrix of
digestion even more than ejaculation/orgasm reproductive reflex.
Finally, we'll rigorously investigate the relationship between the
words "climax" and "climate," exploring their shared - and not so
shared - etymology roots. PostApocalypse Studies to be integrated
throughout.
P221 -- Dynamic Ecosystems and Life Choices (3 cr)
Instructor: James and Mike
Dr. Eric Nolan's "twenty predictions," given as near-prophecy at the end of his
course on Dynamic Ecosystems in the early 1980s, are analyzed as
"precursor PostApocalypse thought" by Mike and James. Eleven of the
his predictions have manifested, as of 2007. What are the implications
of his dictum, "If [these] happen in your lifetime, it's time to do the
things you were meant to do, because you won't have much time left to
do them"?
P 206 -- Trauma metabolizing through performance vectors (1 cr)
Instructor: James
This course, a rare partnership between the Psychology and Theater
Departments, offers students a variety of ways of physically
manifesting various rituals as a means of metabolizing trauma. For
example, students will be required to fly model planes into each
other, to mimic the 911 tragedy. Also, faux cannibalism, ostensible
warfare and "corpse position" are some of the course activities where
students use performance art vectors to sublimate grief, trauma and
anxiety. Note: A signed waiver is necessary for this class.
P 214 -- Anthromanticizing the Apocalypse (2 cr)
Instructor: James
What happens on a global scale when literally hundreds of millions of
people become swept up in the largest drama imaginable - that of the
fate of the earth. Most anthropologists agree that weather and the
forces of the earth were the original grist for the story-telling
mill. Shadow puppets, dance, cave paintings: all media in prehistory
grappled with dramatic weather occurrences, whether to sublimate or
elevate or simply to try and understand. The Mother of all Weather
Drama, then, is most assuredly the Apocalypse. What's the impact on
the collective consciousness? How will this be exploited? Can
narrative vectors in fact be used to help transform consciousness.
Note: Students with a background in the works of Terrence McKenna and
the like are highly encouraged to take this course.
P 424 -- The Future of Confuturism (2 cr)
Instructor: Mike
Survey course of current scholarship on the subject, including
ground-breaking articles such as "What Would Hegel Eat: Hand, Bicep,
or Elbow?" (Journal
of Self-Cannibalism, November 2007), "Optimism is Optimystic" (The
Third Eye, July 2006), and Mike's upcoming book Thesis/Antithesis/Synthesis: From Hegel to
Martin (Institute for PostApocology Press, forthcoming)
THEATER
T101 -- Funlosophy (1 cr)
Instructor: Mike
The Seven Humor Vectors - Irony, Sarcasm, Metonymy, Pun, Satire,
Metaphor, and Deadpan - are studied in depth. Those interested in
Asides, Wisecracks and the like may find courses available by 2010.
Note: Blue Humor, Ridicule and Slapstick may become available as a
correspondence course through the KissMyAsspocalypse site;
negotiations ongoing.
T 202 -- Comedy Improv (1 cr)
Instructor: Mike
This classic course in comedy improv is given the Institute "twist" as
subject matter is themed along PostApoc vectors. For example, the
"What are you doing?" game is posited in a PostApoc scenario ("I am
burying my newly-dead friend while trying to avoid catching his
leprosy") or the Avante Garde musical improv game is based on a
PostApoc document such as A Boy and His Dog, Ridley Walker or
Children of Men.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
Comp Lit 403 -- Literature and the PostApocalypse (2 cr)
Instructors: James and Mike
Together, the founders of the Institute provide a survey course of the
best PostApocalyptic literature, focusing on authors like Russell
Hoban, John Wyndham, Cormac McCarthy, Vernor Vinge, Cory Doctorow,
and others. Of special interest
is Mary Shelley's The Last Man, published in 1826.
Note: Available through correspondence
Comp Lit 405 -- Film and the PostApocalypse (2 cr)
Instructors: James and Mike
Together, the founders of the Institute provide a survey course of the
best PostApocalyptic film, including such well known titles as When
Worlds Collide, The War of the Worlds (comparison of both versions),
On the Beach, The Birds, A Boy and His Dog, The Day After, Deep
Impact, The Matrix (series), Hellboy, Dr. Strangelove, and Children of Men.
Note: Available through correspondence.
Courses currently in development:
- Dick, revisited: How Philip K. Dick's oeuvre has been consistently
misinterpreted by popular culture
- The rise and fall of Apocalypso music
- The completion of the thirteenth b'ak'tun cycle in Mayan cosmology.
The 12/21/12 winter solstice will take place at 11:11:32; What Happens
Next?
- Confuturism v. conflationism (v. confluentialism): exploring
frameworks for future studies in relation to PostApocalypse models. A
seminar.
- Global consciousness shift; pertaining to the variety of predictions
surrounding 12/21/12.
- Soil salinization, acidification, desertification: can
mycoremediation save the day?
- New approaches to methane capping strategies on an animal-to-animal
basis. Can the individual "fart-trap" be cost-effective enough to
justify? A survey of current thought.
- Quo PostApocology? Confronting the absence of recognition of
likely Scenarios: popular culture, news, blogosphere, del.icio.us,
digital communities, and other likely communication vectors.
- Self-cannibalism: how to eat non-essential bodyparts to survive in
an extreme scenario.
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