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Narrating Time
Die Zeit erzählen
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:08
Abstract
It seems quite natural to capture past times by way of narrative representation. Certain theorists and historians even claimed that time is inherently narrative and therefore articulated best in the form of narrations. But is it even possible to narrate time? What kind of translation is that? And, above all, what are the costs of, and the resistances to, such a translation?
Objective
The overall aim of this class is to reflect, in theory and through literature, upon the fundamental category of time, the critical insight being that a discretely progressing and uniformly clocked time is only one way of looking at temporal processes. In fact, this standard clock, with which the mathematical sciences calculate and which is mainly used in the technical field, is only a special case, an abstraction for the purpose of more convenient division, measurement and precalculation of time processes. The world, however, also holds more complex experiences of time, which cannot be calculated mathematically or explained by the law of causation alone. Certain experiences of time simply necessitate narration (which is why even in the philosophy of science scholars have come to regard narrative as a legitimate and indeed indispensable means of explanation). Literature makes all this tangible by bringing the uneven clockings, overlaps, and loops of experiential time to light, which still holds true when the literary representation of time fails, i.e., when it becomes clear that the transfer of experienced time into narrated time also entails certain deformations and even losses.
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 32
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Die Zeit erzählen |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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