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Although belief in the devil has reached historic lows in the United States, the influence of the demonic still runs deep in today's culture. Yet the devil we recognize today as the embodiment of evil was once a far more complex figure - sometimes even a cosmic guardian or helpful guide. So where did this image come from? And why does this figure still loom so large in our imagination? This course surveys how the idea of the devil has taken shape across different times and cultures, and why it continues to matter today. Each class, we explore a new moment in the devil's story to see how this shape-shifting figure has stirred fear, sparked imagination, and helped define order and chaos. We begin with ancient sources that introduce serpents, spirits, and other ambiguous beings, before turning to early Christian texts where Satan emerges as a more defined adversary. In the medieval world, we examine depictions of hell, biographies of the Antichrist, and the rise of witch-hunting manuals. In colonial America, the devil surfaces in fiery sermons and the Salem Witch Trials. Finally, we examine how modern films, fashion, and political rhetoric continue to adapt this figure, leaving traces of older fears in new cultural forms. By examining the devil in his many roles - feared supernatural being, agent of disorder, moral scapegoat, political symbol, and cultural mirror - this course aims to strengthen critical thinking and writing skills. At the same time, it invites us to consider how societies have used the figure of the devil to confront fear, enforce norms, and draw lines between good and evil. Whether in medieval theology or modern media, the devil remains a revealing lens through which we define not only evil - but ourselves.