Walking Dead 101: University to Offer Zombie-Fighting Course

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How would you react if there was a zombie apocalypse? Now if they only taught that in college. Oh wait, they do.

Michigan State University students will soon get the opportunity to take a seven-week summer course called “Surviving the Coming Zombie Apocalypse: Catastrophes & Human Behavior,” which focuses on how humans behave in plagues and catastrophic events. It’s not all fun and games: the course will cover events like the Great Plague and disastrous earthquakes, before moving on to a theoretical zombie invasion. (They can also probably try their hand outrunning the zombies once the class is over.)

(MORE: CDC to America: How to Prepare for a Zombie Apocalypse)

According to the course catalog:

The question at the center of this course is, “How do humans behave in catastrophic times?” Does their behavior change in the midst of trying to survive and the decisions they face? We will examine major catastrophic events from the past, look to potential future events, and consider a concept for increasing our chances of survival.

You actually don’t have to be a MSU student to sign up; the class will also be available through the university’s Lifelong Education program. Glenn Stutzky, who teaches the class, gets the point across easily enough: “In a time of catastrophe, some people find their humanity; other lose theirs.”

MORE: Zombies Are the New Vampires

Erica Ho is a contributor at TIME and the editor of Map Happy. Find her on Twitter at @ericamho and Google+. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.