The dominant “common-sense” metaphor in the contemporary West imagines time as an arrow with a future target, but this concept is neither natural, universal, nor particularly useful for thought. This class explores other ways of understanding time through human history and in multiple art forms. Since our experience of time is a matter of life and death, and life and death are the matter of religion, we’ll begin by grounding ourselves in religious understandings of time (emphasis on early Christianity). From there we’ll move to think about narrative, memoir, time travel, photography, and music.

Book-length readings include St Augustine’s Confessions, Octavia Butler, Kindred, Michael Lesy, Wisconsin Death Trip. 5 short response papers (600-900 words each), final project.

Class Format:

nstruction Mode: As a DC (Distance due to COVID) course, all aspects of this class will be fully compatible with remote online learning. You will need access to the internet, a webcam, and a mic for online meetings.

Learning Mode: Class discussions will be synchronous via Zoom. All classes will be recorded and made available asynchronously.

Course Testing/Assessment: No tests. 5 short response papers (600-900 words each) and final project will all be submitted via Canvas asynchronously.