Surviving the Apocalypse

GD302

Romain Chenet

Module Leader

Option - Second and Final Years

Term 2

15 CATS

9 x 2 hour workshops

Not available to students outside SCFS

Please note: this module may not run in 2026-27. If you are a first-year student and wish to take this module, it is recommended you do so as a second-year student in 2025-26.

Have you wondered why life, society, and planetary existence feel as if they might be getting 'worse' or more difficult to pursue meaningfully, despite our proliferation of new technologies, liberties, and opportunities? If so, this module may be for you! GD302 is based on interlinked and contemporary crises that societies face, with a focus on our cultural and contextual histories. It considers limitations of human responses to and initiatives within 'apocalyptic' conditions, looks to engage with ideas from the margins, is dotted with humour, and aims to rethink notions of (and experiences with) crisis.

This module is intentionally experiential and includes a continuously updating set of inspirations by being focused on an ever-unfinished world. That means this outline is a tiny glimpse into a much fuller experience and, for personalised views of GD302, I recommend you kindly ask fellow students that have taken it to share their experiences with you. GD302 is also one of the only GSD modules where, if you choose it, the assessments can be of a creative or 'alternative' nature. It also includes a diversity of sources and audio-visual teaching, with two 'AV' weeks embedded in it. Note: this module has a subtle(?) but unmasked convenor neurodiversity (ADHD) guiding its set-up and delivery. This may have no bearing on your experience and enjoyment of it, or...

Principal Aims

The module aims to facilitate a co-produced approach to social, economic, and political disorder, and to explore their links to eco-systemic breakdown. Students are invited to forward and discuss independent ideas on contemporary issues by exploring the possibilities and limitations of different responses to crises and concerns. The workshop style aims to facilitate a collaborative, student-centred learning environment, requiring a curious approach to encountering development challenges through a deliberate provocation of 'apocalypse'. While there are academic readings (obviously!), there are also many cultural and creative influences used as 'sources', aiming to expand our visions of accredited study. The module's intention is, similarly, to offer a nourishing and empowering - rather than extractive - space for student experiences and understandings to emerge from.

The rationale underlying this module is a suggestion that humanity is limited in addressing crises not because of inadequate ideas or lacking ability, but because of a variety of destructive methods of thought/practice that dominate and control our capacities for change, including in university contexts. The module thus also aims to collaboratively leverage 'education' in exploring novel responses to crises, while being playfully curious about ironies involved in our pursuits.

Principal Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module students should:

be able to critically reflect on understandings of the crises faced by human societies;
be able to design a response to processes which are precipitating or emerging out of contemporary crises;
be able to reflect critically on potential successes and failures of past interventions, including 'Development' itself.

Indicative Syllabus

Weeks 1 - 3: Conceptual and contextual framings

Introduction: Crises and survivals in our times
Disembedded understandings and ineffectual responses: 'Governed' sustainability as case study
Frameworks for understanding: Education and Global Development as case studies

Weeks 4 - 5: Responses to future(s)

Individualised and elite-led responses in our era: fear, bunkers and inner/outer space (AV week #1)
The potential and pitfalls of grassroots, collective, and activist efforts in traumatised societies

Week 6: Reading week (no classes)

Weeks 7-10: Project ideas and inspirations

Mushrooms and zombies: case studies on apocalyptic conditions (AV week #2)
Creativity and creation (first assessment also due in Week 9)
Shifting worlds, realities, and pursuing change
Module wind-down: 'success' and survival

Assessment (TBC: reflection might be removed in 2025-26!)

Coursework

1 x 10 minute proposal (video) individual presentation (20%)

1 x 2500 word (written essay or creative 'equivalent' length) project (50%)

1 x 1500-word or 3x 500-word reflection(s) on the project or module (30%)

Please note: Module availability and staffing may change year on year depending on availability and other operational factors. The School for Cross-faculty Studies makes no guarantee that any modules will be offered in a particular year, or that they will necessarily be taught by the staff listed on this page.