OVERVIEW

The course aims at analysing single aesthetic themes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Particular attention will be given to the contributions to the debate made by psychology, the constructivist perspective in the cognitive field, the semiotic approach to art and communication theory. It is planned to read in class one or more classic texts relevant to the theme being studied.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at analysing aesthetic themes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Particular attention will be given to the contributions to the debate made by the psychology of perception, the constructivist perspective in the cognitive field, the ontology of the virtual, the semiotic approach to art and communication theory. Readings of one or more classic texts will be chosen on the basis of the problem object of research. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims are: 1. to give an appropriate knowledge of a specific aesthetic theme by drawing up its historical development, its philosophical implications and problematic aspects; 2. to give the skills needed to analytically penetrate the texts also in the original language; 3. to give the skills needed to analyse the interpretations of texts and the history of their reception; 4. to discuss the current state of the debate on the theme in question. The reading of a classic text during the lessons period is connected with the theme of the course, is restricted to the students whose load is 9 CFU, and aims at considering the actual development of aesthetic arguments, and at training students in a direct text interpretation. 

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisite for students of Philosophy is the knowledge of art history at a secondary-school level and for students of Art History or to other degree courses a similar knowledge of the hitory of  philosophy.

TEACHING METHODS

Term of a course: 54 hours (36 for students whose load is 6 CFU) of frontal lessons, learning tests and discussion. More seminarial readings are planned for students whose load is 9 CFU. Students enrolled in the Degree Program in Philosophical Methodologies can write an essay (approved by the professor) on one of the topics addressed during the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu

Eros and corporeity (Leiblichkeit). A specific object of study will be Plato’s theory of beauty and eros, its development in ancient and Renaissance Neoplatonism, and its importance in art practice. It is planned to read and comment some passages of Plato’s Symposium.

Programme for students taking the course for 9 cfu

Eros and corporeity (Leiblichkeit). A specific object of study will be Plato’s theory of beauty and eros,  its development in ancient and Renaissance Neoplatonism, and its importance in art practice. It is planned to read and comment some passages of Plato’s Symposium and Phaedrus .

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students whose load is 6 CFU

Platone, Simposio, ed. a scelta

E. Panofsky, Idea. Contributo alla storia dell'estetica, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2006.

Supplementary texts and secondary literature will be recommended at the beginning of the course. Some supplementary essays can be found on the page of the course in Aulaweb

Bibliography for students whose load is 9 CFU

Platone, Simposio, ed. a scelta

Platone, Fedro, ed a scelta

E. Panofsky, Idea. Contributo alla storia dell'estetica, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2006.

Supplementary texts and secondary literature will be recommended at the beginning of the course. Some supplementary essays can be found on the page of the course in Aulaweb

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

OSCAR MEO (President)

ILARIA BOEDDU

LETTERIO MAURO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 27, 2018.

Class schedule

THEORY OF THE AESTHETIC OBJECT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination. In front of the examining board the students enrolled in the Degree Course of Philosophy whose load is 9 CFU will interpret a passage of the classical text expounded in class.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During lectures active participation of students will be stimulated through discussions about the single points of the programme. During the final exam, an individual oral exam, the examination board will evaluate the level of students’ comprehension and ability to broach the subject. In order to pass students must demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of the course and present them clearly and coherently, albeit without analysing them in-depth but with a fair use of vocabulary. In order to attain excellence, students must analyse concepts they are asked to discuss and demonstrate the ability to develop them autonomously, discuss with impeccable logic, and make connections with other themes. All this must be enhanced with appropriate observations and an excellent use of specific lexicon. To this end, the cultural background and specific professional needs of students from other degree courses will be taken into account.

FOR STUDENTS REGISTERED IN THE COURSE OF PHILOSOPHICAL METHODOLOGIES:

Students of the Degree Program in Philosophical Methodologies can write an essay (approved by the professor) on one of the topics addressed during the course.

Exam schedule