The COVID-19 Pandemic served as a dramatic reminder that many contemporary collective dangers are both global in scope and potentially catastrophic in impact. This course investigates these kinds of low-probability but high-harm events, some created by humans and others by nature, that have the potential to dramatically alter human societies, the planet, or even life itself. Such “apocalyptic” threats include extreme climate change, global pandemics, economic and financial collapse, nuclear wars, artificial intelligence and killer robots, state failure and civil wars, natural disasters and asteroid impacts. Why are catastrophic risks so hard to assess? Why are human societies so unprepared to deal with pressing collective dangers? How do complex social, economic, and technological systems help humans address serious problems, while sometimes creating them? We will also consider whether “imagined” apocalypses, whether alien invasions or zombie infestations, offer useful or misleading metaphors about how to understand more “real world” dangers. This course is open to first- and second-year students and assumes no background in political science. Together we will develop a shared base of knowledge to critically assess arguments about how our world might end and how we might prevent that from happening.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years and Sophomores.

Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis

Typical Periods Offered: Every other year

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered; Spring