Course Description:

Satan, or the Devil, has been a character that has been feared for centuries. Many of the major religions have recognized an evil force that stands against God and seeks to undermine His actions. Nevertheless, it was not always this way. Satan is a Hebrew term, and didn’t always refer to an evil being. Demons, or Satan’s henchmen, weren’t always necessarily evil––in fact, a belief in demons entered into established religion hundreds of years after many of the first traditions. In this course, we’ll look at the evolution of the idea of Satan––where thinking developed on the topic, and how it changed over time. We’ll explore Judaism, Christianity, and other major religions, understanding the origin of the idea of Satan and how it has changed over time.

Topic Outline/Schedule:

Week 1, March 2: The Embodiment of Evil

Week 2, March 9: The Superstitious Middle Ages

Week 3, March 16: Satan in Judaism

Week 4, March 30: Greek and Persian Influence