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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 304"
COURSE NAME: "Philosophy of Art and Beauty"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Paul Gaffney
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 4:00 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: One previous philosophy course or Junior Standing Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
On this course we will examine philosophers’ fascinating attempts to understand art and explore the multiple roles that it can play in our lives. We will consider such issues as what ‘art’, ‘beauty’, ‘creativity’, ‘expression’, and ‘imagination’ can mean, whether our judgments about them can ever be objective, how art relates to our feelings and to our understanding of the external world, how it reflects society, religion, and politics, and the radical differences between contemporary, modern, and classical kinds of art.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into five units; each week covers one unit.

1.      The first unit explores the cultural value and definition of art.  We will begin our examination with an examination of various standards or conditions of what makes something artistic, and discuss the nature of critical assessment. An important part of this discussion is the ideal of beauty and aesthetic appeal in art: Is beauty a necessary or sufficient of art? Is there such a thing as non-beautiful art? How do other factors, such as pleasure, social impact, shock value, affect our understanding of artistic significance?

2.      The second unit concentrates on aesthetics and the creative process. We will study various theories about how artists create their works, including some discussions about genius and inspiration. Central to this discussion is the ability of art to connect through emotional expression on the part of the artist and emotional response on the part of the audience. Does it matter if the emotion that produces a work differs from the emotion that receives it? Is art fundamentally a form of communication or transmission?

3.      The third unit studies the sources and the ontology of art. We will consider the issue of replicas, restoration, and forgeries in art. What makes a work of art so valuable? Why are forgeries nearly worthless?  In this discussion we are concerned with what philosophers call the ontology of art. We will also consider the settings of some works of art, and whether or not a different presentation of art might affect status or meaning.

4.      The fourth unit explores the theme of meaning and representation. We will examine pictures and representational art, which is a relatively straightforward expression of art. What is the relationship of the original to the representation? Is accuracy some kind of artistic standard? Does it make sense to ask what a work of art means?

5.      The fifth unit studies the value of art. We will explore the distinction between fine art and popular art, and also consider subjective factors that affect our responses to artistic expression, including gender and race. Precisely what kinds of value do we discover by attending to art? Are these values unique to the world of art or are they replicable in other enterprises, such as sport? 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·         Students will gain a basic understanding of some important theories of art, paying particular attention to the possibility of  arriving at a definition of art, and drawing a distinction between genuine art and fraudulent art

·         Students will develop an understanding of the audience response to art, that is, how we should understand critical reception, commercial  appeal, and individual taste

·         Students will be able to discuss the nature of creativity, taking in account such factors as artistic technique, emotion, intention, and sincerity

·         Student will consider the place of art in the good life, its role in cultural and religious self-understanding, and its potential for disruptive effects

·         Students will consider how various factors—gender, economics, culture, religion, and race, among them—affect both the presentation and the appreciation of art
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Philosophy of ArtStephen DaviesBlacxkwell978-1-4051-2023-4     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class ParticipationRegular attendance and contibutions10%
Case StudyTerm paper and presentation15%
First ExaminationMonday, July 10, in class15%
Second ExaminationTake home assignment, due Monday July 1715%
Third ExaminationMonday, July 24, in class15%
Fourth Examination Take home assignment, due Monday, July 3115%
Fifth ExaminationFriday, August 4, in class15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Schedule of Lectures and Examinations

WEEK I: July 3-7

Reading and Discussion

Chapter 1: Evolution and Culture

Chapter 2: Defining Art

Schedule

Monday July 3:                      First class—Introduction to the Philosophy of Art

Tuesday July 4:                      Holiday: No class

Friday July 7:                         Make-up class

 

WEEK II: July 10-13

Reading and Discussion

Chapter 3: Aesthetic and the Philosophy of Art

Schedule

Monday July 10:                   First Examination (chapters 1 and 2): in class, first hour

Thursday July 13:         Distribution of Second Examination (take-home, covering chapter 3)

 

WEEK III: July 17-20

Reading and Discussion

Chapter 4: Varieties of Art

Chapter 5: Interpretation

Schedule

Monday July 17:                    Second Examination due (covering chapter 3)

 

WEEK IV: July 24-27

Reading and Discussion

Chapter 6: Expression and Emotional Responses

Chapter 7: Pictorial Representation and the Visual Arts

Schedule

Monday July 24:                   Third Examination (covering chapters 4 and 5) in class, first hour

Wednesday July 26: Term Paper Due

Thursday July 27:               Distribution of Fourth Examination (take-home, covering chapters 6 and 7)

 

WEEK V: July 31—August 4

Reading and Discussion

Chapter 8: The Value of Art

Schedule

Monday July 31:                    Fourth Examination due (covering chapters 6 and 7)

Thursday August 3:               Last Class—Review

Friday August 4:                    Fifth Examination (chapter 8) in class