JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 304-1"
COURSE NAME: "Philosophy of Art and Beauty"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antomarini Brunella
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 17:30-18:45
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: on appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

ART AS LIMIT SITUATION


The aim of this course is to give students a survey of the main philosophical problems issuing from theories of beauty and art, with a special emphasis on the issue of experimentation. All artworks arise from a phase in which contingency plays a main role. Artists do not know how their initial intention will result in the final product. They play with chances and errors and disturbances. The provisional moment in art has been emphasized in modernity. This emphasis implies a change in the philosophical notions of ‘nature’ and the ‘world’.

Key concepts to the structure of the lectures are: allegory, art market, chance, construction, drawing, experiment, fragmentation, machine, mimesis, montage, nature, sequences. Aesthetics emerges as a controversial battleground of philosophical analysis. Class discussion and motivation are fundamental.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

ART AS LIMIT SITUATION


The aim of this course is to give students a survey of the main philosophical problems issuing from theories of beauty and art, with a special emphasis on the issue of experimentation. All artworks arise from a phase in which contingency plays a main role. Artists do not know how their initial intention will result in the final product. They play with chances and errors and disturbances. The provisional moment in art has been emphasized in modernity. This emphasis implies a change in the philosophical notions of ‘nature’ and the ‘world’.

Key concepts to the structure of the lectures are: allegory, art market, chance, construction, drawing, experiment, fragmentation, machine, mimesis, montage, nature, sequences. Aesthetics emerges as a controversial battleground of philosophical analysis. Class discussion and motivation are fundamental.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

ART AS LIMIT SITUATION


The aim of this course is to give students a survey of the main philosophical problems issuing from theories of beauty and art, with a special emphasis on the issue of experimentation. All artworks arise from a phase in which contingency plays a main role. Artists do not know how their initial intention will result in the final product. They play with chances and errors and disturbances. The provisional moment in art has been emphasized in modernity. This emphasis implies a change in the philosophical notions of ‘nature’ and the ‘world’.

Key concepts to the structure of the lectures are: allegory, art market, chance, construction, drawing, experiment, fragmentation, machine, mimesis, montage, nature, sequences. Aesthetics emerges as a controversial battleground of philosophical analysis. Class discussion and motivation are fundamental.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
NONE

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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 course.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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:

Students should plan to regularly attend the class, since we will often broaden the topics contained in the texts to contemporary issues, and since this class is mainly intended to the rousing of students’ personal thoughts and ideas.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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