Stanford Summer Session

Summer Course: The Devil Through the Ages

Although recent surveys show that belief in the devil has reached historic lows in the United States, the influence of the demonic still runs deep in today's culture. Yet the devil we know today - as the embodiment of evil - was once a far more complex figure, sometimes even a helpful guide or cosmic guardian.

So where did our modern image of the devil come from? And how does this figure still haunt our pop culture, politics, and public fears?

This course is a broad historical introduction to the devil. Specifically, we explore how the character and its roles have evolved over time to represent changing social anxieties while also shaping our ideas about evil.

We begin with a visit into ancient perspectives on divine and often ambiguous beings - the serpent Apep in Egyptian hieroglyphs, daimones in Plato's philosophy, and Satan from the Hebrew Bible - before moving to the Book of Revelation and other early Christian writings to trace the devil's transformation into a universal foe. Moving into the medieval period, we will encounter detailed biographies of the Antichrist, a demonology handbook to identify witches, and haunting depictions of hell to examine how an increasing fear of the devil shaped Europe. And in early America, we step into the world of Puritan beliefs by exploring the Salem Witch Trials and fiery sermons on demonic possession. Finally, we move into the modern era, where we explore portrayals of the devil in horror films, literature, and political rhetoric as a means of representing contemporary social anxieties, such as fears of moral decline, corruption, and societal "enemies."

By the end of the quarter, we will strengthen our critical thinking, research, and writing skills by examining the devil as occupying multiple roles: a feared supernatural figure, a tool for demonizing social enemies, a lens for social commentary, and a reflection of cultural anxieties.

Details

RELIGST 23S-01

• Class Number: 23487
• Course Cost: $4341.00
• Population: High School, Undergraduate, Graduate
• Units: 3
• Interest Area: Social Sciences and Humanities
• Course Format & Length: In-Person, 8 weeks
• Instructors: Sunil Persad

Events and Engagement

Workshops

Hosted through the Summer Academic Resource Center (SARC), we offer a variety of educational workshops to complement your academic pursuits. Presenters varying from Stanford affiliates, community partners, and graduate tutors will cover a wide range of topics from academic skills to career exploration. Past workshops included college preparedness, software exploration, and building your professional network.

Stanford Spaces

Explore the intellectual ecosystem of the Stanford campus. Tour museums like the Cantor Arts Center, visit unique campus spaces like the d.school, Frost Amphitheater, and O’Donohue Family Farm, and get to know the unique community of companies and innovators that gather at Stanford Research Park.

Stanford Voices

These small gatherings give you an opportunity to connect with Stanford faculty, fellows, and alumni to hear about their work or research, as well as the road that brought them there. Ask questions and continue your intellectual exploration—whether you're taking a course on the topic this summer or just curious.