The course aims to debate the theme of spectatorship as it emerges from Aristotle's Poetics. This means highlighting those aspects of the Aristotelian theory of tragedy which focus on the effect it has on the spectator, thus emphasizing its ethical-practical values.

The course has the following objectives:

1. make known some fundamental categories that characterize the way in which the thought of art was defined in the ancient Greek world: the concept of mimesis, techne, mythos, kalos;

2. to acquire a basic knowledge of Aristotle's thought and a more specific knowledge of his Poetics;

3. transmit, through an interpretation of Aristotelian thought, which places it in clear discontinuity with the categorical apparatus of modern Aesthetics, knowledge that provides critical tools for deconstructing and thoroughly rethinking the 'evidence' and the way in which contemporaneity has come to define the aesthetic experience.

4. Transmit an understanding of art that highlights its ethical and political aspects.

The course will develop according to the following schedule:

The relationship of discontinuity between ancient Poetics and modern Aesthetics.

The concepts of art, techne, and poiesis are intrinsically linked, in the horizon of thought of the ancient Greek world, to that of mimesis: these terms will be analyzed through an intertextual reading of Aristotelian works.

The Aristotelian distinction of knowledge. Poetic knowledge and its constitutive characteristics.

Reading and interpretation of Aristotle's Poetics. The reading of the Poetics will be conducted by focusing on those concepts that highlight the effect that the tragic spectacle has on the spectator.

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course the student will have to: possess a general knowledge of the theoretical problems and founding categories of ancient Poetics; know and know how to interpret some of Aristotle's fundamental texts, which will be read during the course and critically understand problems inherent in the historical development of the thought of art.

Contextualize philosophical arguments and theories (especially in the poetic and aesthetic fields); argue philosophical theses in an appropriate and convincing way; recognize and value different philosophical traditions.

Judgment autonomy

The student must demonstrate that he has acquired the ability to critically elaborate the various philosophical positions that will be examined during the course and that he has acquired independent judgment.

Learning ability

The student must be able to orient himself in a structured way and with theoretical awareness in the problems concerning the fields of Poetics and Aesthetics.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lesson

Attendance

70% attendance of lesson

Course books

Aristotele, Poetica, a cura di Daniele Guastini, Carocci editore, Roma 2010.

Pierre Aubenque, La prudenza in Aristotele, Studium, Roma 2018.

Assessment

Oral exam.

The assessment of learning involves an oral interview. The exam interview focuses on reading and commenting on some passages from the Poetics. The student must demonstrate that he knows how to grasp the fundamental theoretical problems that this text refer to.

Important in the evaluation will be the presentation ability with appropriate vocabulary.

Evaluation criteria:

- Evaluation of excellence: a clear and fluent presentation of the exam texts; the ability to connect the various problems addressed by the texts being studied; Possession of good critical and in-depth analysis skills.

- They will give rise to discrete assessments: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the exam texts; a good ability to connect the various theories; only moderate possession of critical ability and appropriate language.

- Will give rise to sufficient assessments: a minimal knowledge of the exam texts; a generic ability to connect the various topics studied; the possession of a language that is only sufficiently appropriate.

- Will give rise to negative evaluations: lack of knowledge of the exam texts; obvious training gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students will be able to find support materials for exam preparation on the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it 

Attendance

Contact the teacher

Course books

Aristotele, Poetica, a cura di Daniele Guastini, Carocci editore, Roma 2010.

Pierre Aubenque, La prudenza in Aristotele, Studium, Roma 2018.