First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-20)
Topic
Paying Attention
Instructors
Kevin Delaney Buckelew
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 3-410: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
What does it mean to "pay attention"? What is the history of attention as a concept, and what is at stake when we talk about paying attention? What are the ethical implications of attention and distraction? How have religion, aesthetics, economic conditions, social norms, and technological change helped shape the ways we pay attention and the ways we think about attention? In the age of the "attention economy"—when digital technology is blamed for giving rise to a culture of distraction, and collaborations between neuroscientists and Buddhist meditators are credited with heralding the attentional key to happiness—this seminar provides an opportunity to reflect on attention as a key term in history and contemporary life.
Teaching Method
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be uploaded as PDFs
Class Attributes
WCAS Writing Seminar