The History of Heaven

Course C:   The History of Heaven

David Shyovitz, Associate Professor, History

Heaven (if it exists) is presumably eternal and timeless--and yet the concept of Heaven has been anything but. Beliefs about the afterlife, the apocalypse, the resurrection and final judgment, etc., have all changed and developed dramatically over the course of nearly 3000 years. This course will survey the history of ideas and practices related to Heaven, beginning in the Ancient Near East and extending to the present. The approach in the course will be roughly chronological, but each week will also focus on one or more themes that have recurred in the tradition of heavenly theology.

Open Class Schedule or Course Brochure (left column) for weekly subjects.