DU2345 Anglo-American Philosophy of Art

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Taught online.
Teacher(s)
Matthew Rampley, B.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Matthew Rampley, B.A., Ph.D.
Department of Art History – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Art History – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:40 K31
Prerequisites
There are no pre-requisites.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
This course explores key topics in the Anglo-American philosophy of art. It does not focus on the work of particular authors, but rather on questions that have been at forefront of debates in English-language philosophy about art. These include questions such as:

How does one define art?
What is aesthetic experience?
Is intention relevant to the meaning of art?
Is art universal to all cultures?
What is the relation between art and morality?
What is the difference between erotic art and pornography?
How and why do we respond emotionally to artworks?

The course examines these questions in relation to a wide range of examples, from visual art to music and literature, but its main focus is on theoretical ideas and, as such, it is based on close reading of philosophical texts.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, a students should be able to:

• Identify the major topics of debate in contemporary Anglo-American philosophy of art
• Summarise and explain in detail the arguments and positions regarding specific topics in the philosophical of art
• Subject the arguments relating to a particular topic in the philosophy of art to critical analysis, exploring their strengths and weaknesses
• Identify, summarize and analyse the argument of individual philosophical texts on art
Syllabus
  • Each week a separate question will be explored. Examples of the kind of questions include:
  • 1. Introduction and definitions: what is art?
  • 2. Aesthetic experience: what is it and what is its relevance to art?
  • 3. Is art rational?
  • 4. Morality: Should we judge works of art morally?
  • 5. Interpretation: what makes an interpretation correct?
  • 6. Authenticity, fakes and forgeries: how do we judge them aesthetically?
  • 7. Truth and beauty: in what sense does art convey truths about the world?
  • 8. Emotion: why do we respond emotionally to fictional events?
  • 9. Is art universal to all humans?
  • 10. Art and human evolution: is our capacity for aesthetic appreciation rooted in human biology?
  • 11. What is the difference between erotic art and pornography?
  • 12. The end of art: what does it mean to say that art has come to an end?
Literature
    recommended literature
  • ELDRIDGE, Richard Thomas. An introduction to the philosophy of art. 3rd print. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ix, 285. ISBN 052180521X. 2005. info
  • Aesthetics and the philosophy of art : the analytic tradition : an anthology. Edited by Peter Lamarque - Stein Haugom Olsen. 1st pub. Malden: Blackwell. xii, 571. ISBN 9781405105828. 2004. info
  • WARBURTON, Nigel. The art question. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. x, 147. ISBN 9780415174893. 2003. info
  • CARROLL, Noël. Philosophy of art : a contemporary introduction. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. ix, 273. ISBN 9780415159647. 1999. info
Teaching methods
Each week will be devoted to the detailed analysis of a single philosophical topic. The lecture will provide a general overview of the debates and points of discussion.

In class we will discuss key issues in more depth, including exploration of further related themes. There will be set reading for each seminar, which you will be expected to have read in advance of the class. You will also be expected to give a short minute presentation on a topic or short text. You will be given feedback on your presentation – although this will not contribute to the module mark. The texts will be available as a pdf on the Canvas page for the module.
Assessment methods
The course will be assessed on the basis of an essay of 7-10 sides of A4 (1800 characters per page)

Essays will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Research: is the essay well researched and are its claims based on appropriate use of sources?
2. Analysis: does the essay undertake an appropriate critical appraisal of the written primary and secondary source material?
3. Argument: does the essay present a clearly constructed argument, with a conclusion?
4. Relevance: are the material selected and the arguments used relevant to the topic of the essay question and to the course as a whole?
5. Language: is the essay written in clear and correct English?
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.

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