Aesthetics

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to analyze issues in philosophical aesthetics perceptively and evaluate them critically; analyze the historical achievements in aesthetics, current major issues in philosophical aesthetics raised by the art-works, processes, and directions in aesthetics; demonstrate an understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of philosophical aesthetics and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis; exhibit their work and contribute in critiques and discussions of their work and the work of others.

Topics

This course consists of readings, observation and listening assignments, class discussion and presentations, visits to various exhibits, concerts, and performances, and regular writing assignments, both graded and ungraded. Graded assignments include two short essays in; critiques, a short group presentation on an assigned aesthetic topic, and the preparation of a term project in philosophical aesthetics, which is to be discussed with the lecturer. Ungraded assignments include five event reports, a reading response paper every week, and various in-class writing exercises.