The Philosophy of Artistic Pursuits

An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art

Is the above architectural model art? If so, why? What makes a piece of art art? Questions like these will be discussed in a course that investigates different philosophical theories of art in connection with artistic expressions.This means that we will investigate why certain objects, expressions, writings, music are considered art while others are not. Of course, we most likely will already have certain thoughts and follow common sense notions regarding many of the artistic works to be considered if only because they are generally called art. Yet while surely most people consider Michelangelo's frescos in the Sistine Chapel in Rome "great art" what about the cow parade in Chicago or Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Can? Are these pieces imbued with a particular aesthetic value? Should they be exhibited in a museum for future generations? Should art be part of everyday life? Philosophers have debated questions like these and developed various theories. To critically review and analyze theoretical approaches will broaden our horizon of knowledge, and offer tools in an assessment of artistic pursuits. This requires a serious attempt to recognize philosophical arguments and to examine ideas that will come from diverse historical contexts.

Description:

By creating a seminar from two courses, "The Philosophy of Art" and "Introduction to the Visual Arts" we have a chance, as a class, to study art and philosophy together in a unique way. In order to gain a more complex understanding of the art works, we will investigate the nature of art as well as the phenomenon of the experience of art. Therefore, under the guidance of philosophical thinkers, we will consider whether one might determine distinctive types of artistic experience, whether art carries certain values, and whether art represents a kind of knowledge, truth or deceptiveness.

The Philosophy of Art emerged as a discipline in the 18th century in Europe, yet in the context of the historical study of visual arts, we will also look at Greek theories of art, investigate texts about art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to explore a wide range of differing approaches to the field of artistic visuality. It is with the following thesis that we will proceed with the seminar: knowledge and understanding of historical roots and aesthetic philosophy will provide a foundation that allows us to frame and critically discuss issues raised in the debate about the nature and the phenomenon of the experience of artistic visuality.

Objectives:

• To acquire knowledge and understanding of philosophical theories of art, and analyze exemplary artistic sites and/or artifact
• To discern, define, and critique artistic pursuit
• Describe the philosophical approaches to art
• Give examples and interpret definitions of the nature of art
• Trace characteristics of creative thought
• Demonstrate and use aesthetic criticism and judgment
  
• To demonstrate the ability to perform research and to utilize the acquired knowledge of philosophical approaches to art
• To analyze, discuss, and critically assess a philosophical theories of art

Requirements

40% of your accumulative grade will be determined by a number of essays. In these essays, you need to write a summary of certain philosophical arguments and discuss philosophical topics in the context of art work. You will receive specific questions about the readings discussed in class to work on summaries, interpretations and philosophical arguments (1-2 pages; double spaced 12 point font). This exercise will prepare you for the work on your term paper. I will give you a letter grade for three of these essays. You decide, which essays you want to have graded (please indicate clearly on the top of your paper). You need to turn in all your essays, even those that do not receive a specific response since you will receive points for them. The grading criteria will particularly focus on clarity, creativity, and depth of presentation in your interpretation and critical analysis of your sources.

You will also be required to choose one text from the reading list that will become the center of your research for the term paper. The task will be to discuss an artwork in the context of a philosophical theory. This project, therefore, includes two steps:

a) you need to perform research regarding an assigned artwork in its historical context in order to investigate what sensibilities, ideas, and knowledge about the world led to the creation of a specific artwork or craft. This research should be performed in group work with another student from the class. In October, you will present your work (a five minute presentation about your chosen topic, the philosophical theory and perhaps the work of art you intend to use) to your fellow students. (Check the calendar MyCOD for tentative due dates.) Please plan to have ample time to visit a library for your research. Overall, you are required to read at least four academic sources about the artwork and the philosophical theory.

b) The research about the artwork is meant to prepare you for the task of the term paper (5-7 pages double spaced) In this paper you should critically discuss the philosophical theory and apply it to your chosen piece of art. In other words, you provide an analysis of the artwork using the lens of a philosophical theory. Here is a short introduction: How to write your term paper . Please do not hesitate to visit me in the office to discuss your research project. Keep in mind, it takes time to develop critical thought. Therefore, choose your philosopher and artwork early on during the course and begin your readings. If you present your term paper before the class you may receive up to 5% extra credit.

Please do not plagiarize. This class follows the Academic Honesty Philosophy Statement of the College of DuPage: http://www.cod.edu/grayke/honesty.htm. The assignments must be your own work. The following website offers advice and examples how to acknowledge your sources: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~sources/. Please think about your choices seriously and remember, what you find as a source, your teacher can detect as well! Again, proven plagiarism will earn you an F for the class, possibly a meeting with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, including a formal report and/or an appearance before a Judicial Board.

Practicing your argumentative skills in class discussions is vital in philosophy. Lively discussions make this a much more interesting class. Your participation accounts for 20% of your accumulative grade. This means you need to come prepared, having read the assignments, and be willing to share your questions and insights regarding the topics. Remember, you need to participate in order to achieve a grade A or B. It is, of course, impossible to participate if you miss many classes.

Here is information how to reach me.

Commitment

I promise to give every effort and knowledge to stimulate your interest in and curiosity about the topic. I will give guidance for your work and will respond to your work as promptly and honestly as possible. Please contact me for any questions. If you participate in this course, I expect you to complete your assignments regularly, be prepared with your readings and contribute to the discussions in class. You are allowed one unexcused class. Yet, you are responsible to keep up with what you missed in particular the computer sessions and assignments. Respect for others will make this class a much more enjoyable and conductive place for exploring, thinking, and learning. Therefore, please be considerate of your student companions. Please be aware that I do not drop students from this class in case of non attendance. If there are exceptional problems, please tell me early, and we will discuss options. In case you cannot participate in the course any longer, you are responsible to withdraw from the course.

Course Materials (required)

• Art and Interpretation. An Anthology of Readings in Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art. ed. Eric Dayton. Toronto: Broadview Press, 1998.
• Umberto Eco. Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages. Nota Bene, 2002

Grading

No portion of this work shall be copied, reproduced, distributed or

publicly displayed without the consent of the author.