GCS 1700 - The Global Zombie

Credits: 4

Formerly: WLC1200
Courses will be taught in English. Using the zombie as a powerful metaphor, the course will discuss the role of the zombie in a series of national and international blockbuster movies, from classical Hollywood to nowadays. Starting from the premise that there is some kind of inverse relationship between the zombie and the cyborg (Sci-Fi’s number one nightmare scenario before the return of the zombie: Cylons and Terminators and the Borg), we’ll explore how we moved from the cyborg (humanity’s attempt to triumph over nature and rule the world) to the zombie (Nature gone terribly awry, humanity’s complete loss of control). We’ll discuss how zombies can help us interpret our anxieties vis-à-vis such topics as: globalization, global health, international relations, environmentalism, race and gender relations, consumer culture, and societal norms.
Fulfills: AL and D in LS Core.