HIST 2631

The Global History of Time

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

We often define history as change over time, while overlooking that our ways of measuring, thinking about, and using time are themselves an important part of history. This lecture course examines that history on a global scale. Why have societies around the world spent so much effort over the centuries in studying, philosophizing, and inventing stories about time? How have clocks, calendars, and other timekeepers evolved? How have those devices helped re-organize society, industry, and science? Drawing on case studies from every continent, this course will familiarize students with the technological, political, social, and cultural histories of time, while developing their skills in analyzing primary sources such as art works, films, and literary texts.

Distribution Requirements (CA-AG, HA-AG, LA-AG), (ALC-AS, HST-AS)

Last 3 terms offered 2024FA

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