Awakening the "Walking Dead": Zombie Pedagogy for Millennials

Abstract

This article lays out the pedagogical benefits of using popular zombie productions, particularly AMC's The Walking Dead, to teach a critical introduction to modern political theory. Based on my undergraduate course: "Political Theory, Climate Change, and the Zombie Apocalypse," the article outlines how The Walking Dead can be used to critique the mythic assumptions built into modern social contract theory; to introduce other political ideologies, including conservatism, anarchism, fascism, and communism; and to consider the political challenges raised by a global problem such as climate change in an increasingly neoliberal environment. Zombie productions are offered as a particularly salient pedagogical tool that can help awaken critical political analysis for the Millennial Generation.

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“…Generation Y, or those individuals who were born from 1980 to early 2000s (Anderson et al, 2016;Hammer, 2015), witnessed several historical events growing up. Millennials confronted many challenges and these experiences forged their political and even economic values specifically with regard to their neoliberal thought processes (Wadsworth, 2017). Wadsworth (2017) argued that millennials inherited a country that promotes neoliberal economy.…”

“…Millennials confronted many challenges and these experiences forged their political and even economic values specifically with regard to their neoliberal thought processes (Wadsworth, 2017). Wadsworth (2017) argued that millennials inherited a country that promotes neoliberal economy. Millennials believe that the economic development is the center of a nation's strength (Wadsworth, 2017).…”

“…Wadsworth (2017) argued that millennials inherited a country that promotes neoliberal economy. Millennials believe that the economic development is the center of a nation's strength (Wadsworth, 2017). Millennials believe in capitalism, and they show consumerism tendencies.…”

“…Millennials take an interest in the world around them, show genuine concern for the state of their world, and volunteer to causes important to them (Wadsworth, 2017). They exercise their right to assemble and to freely express their opinions, and their participation in social causes leads to a political and social awakening (Fortin & Hennessy, 2015).…”

“…In fact, they believe that organizations should have a positive influence on society, and business leaders should incorporate sustainability and social responsibility into the organization's activities (Belcher, 2015). Wadsworth (2017) discussed that millennials are staunch volunteers to social causes, and they present real apprehension about the state of the world. Campione (2016) suggested that volunteer work can help millennial employees with adaptations and adjustments that can result in a positive experience in the workplace.…”