PHIL145 Aesthetics

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Philosophy

  1. Course Number and Title

    PHIL145 Aesthetics

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    An examination of the major philosophical issues raised in connection with music, the visual arts, literature and poetry, craft, and contemporary media art. Topics include the concept of beauty, critical evaluation, artistic truth, and meaning in the arts. Traditional, as well as contemporary viewpoints will be addressed.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. To develop the ability to formulate aesthetic issues precisely.
      2. To develop critical thinking and problem solving regarding aesthetic issues.
      3. To develop the ability to analyze and synthesize aesthetic arguments.
      4. To develop an understanding of the difference between objectivity and subjective or personal opinion with respect aesthetic criticism and artistic evaluation.
      5. To develop an understanding of aesthetics and art in terms of cultural contexts; gaining a wholistic perspective on the arts.
      6. To understand how aesthetic theories evolve and change over time
      7. To learn to work with others - to listen to the opinions and arguments of others objectively while formulating one’s own responses.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Introduction
      2. Classical Views: Plato and Aristotle
      3. A review of Aesthetic Ideas from the Greeks to the Enlightenment
      4. Modern Views: Francis Hutchenson, David Hume, Immanuel Kant
      5. Romanticism: Shopenhauer
      6. Existentialism: Nietzsche
      7. Contemporary Aesthetic Theories
        1. Art for Art’s Sake
        2. Contemporary Realism
        3. Art as Significant Form
        4. Art as Expression
        5. Physical Distance
        6. The Aesthetic Attitude

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Text: See Course Format

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Lecture, discussion, visual media, writing exercises, projects

Review/Approval Date - 2/99