REL 325 - Memory, Repetition, Forgetting

Institution:

Williams College

Subject:

Religion

Description:

Plato famously argues that all learning is recollection; during the period of Roman antiquity, a robust training in memory practices was an essential aspect of formal education. This course will examine ancient, medieval, and modern discourses on memory, forgetting, and repetition. Starting with Greek sources we will consider the philosophical relevance of memory and forgetting. We will then consider the role of memory and forgetting in medieval Christian sources, examining the place of memory in the search for God and the role of memory and repetition in religious practice. We will then ask the following questions: how do modern accounts of memory and forgetting differ from ancient and medieval accounts? And how do we construe memory and forgetting differently today, when so much information is archived or at least potentially archivable, and when the availability/suppression of information is such a charged political topic? Authors include: Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, Peter Damian, Hugh of St. Victor, Pascal, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Freud and Derrida.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Seminar

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.williams.edu

Phone Number:

(413) 597-3131

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Four-one-four plan

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