The End After-Catastrophe in Theory, Art

The End After - Catastrophe in theory and poetics
of cinema and video art Not simply a survey of
cinematic cautionary apocalyptic parables: this is
a seminar/crit on time and on the function of
ending/continuity in our art and theory. The class
is also a general study of more universal matters
such as the eschatological ways we posit history
(apocalypse/post-apocalypse) and the forms we
impose on time. Frank Kermode asserts that time in
its 'pure' state is disorganized, that our
fictions are attempts to overcome this
disorganization by imposing on it a structure
which has both a beginning and an ending; our
plots, whether they be literary or historical,
are, we are led to believe, methods of humanizing
time. Qualified students should have an interest
in philosophy and fiction and are required to
complete readings and a final studio-based
project/experiment which addresses the class
topic.