Considered as an advancement in aesthetic studies, the course aims to examine relevant issues for both philosophical and literary and artistic disciplines. We will examine classical and contemporary theories. One part of the course is of a general nature, another deals with specific topics in contemporary aesthetics.

Specifically, the course has the following specific educational objectives:

- acquiring knowledge of some fundamental concepts of aesthetics (art, beauty, creativity, mimesis, fiction);

- developing the ability to read and understand classical aesthetic texts;

- developing a critical and cultured consideration of the role of the image and representation in contemporary society.

The course is structured in two parts. (1) First, on the basis of Tatarkiewicz's text, some fundamental notions of aesthetics will be examined in their historical development: the concepts of art, beauty, artistic creativity and mimesis. Particular attention will be paid to the notion of mimesis and the relationship between poetry and painting in the classical conceptions of Plato and Aristotle. (2) The aesthetic theories, in particular representational theories, of Nelson Goodman and Kendall Walton will be studied, with a focus on image theories.

The course will examine the following topics in this order:

1. the concept of art in its historical development;

2. beauty and its forms;

3. the notion of artistic creation in relation to that of invention;

4. the concept of mimesis. In particular, 4.1. the relationship between artistic representation and truth in Plato; 4.2. mimesis and the truthful character of art in Aristotle's Poetics;

5. Critique of the notion of mimesis in contemporary times, particularly in N. Goodman's Languages of Art.

6. Analysis of the representational arts in Mimesis as Make-Believe by K. Walton.

7. The image in some contemporary theories.

Prerequisites are not required.

Knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to understand and explain the aesthetical-philosophical texts examined, to argue rigorously and to discuss critically the topics which have been dealt in the class.

Applying knowledge and understanding
The student must be able to master the essential theoretical and lexical tools for an autonomous interpretation of a work of aesthetics and must also be able to identify the aesthetic aspects in a philosophical work.

Making judgments
The student will demonstrate independent judgment in the evaluation of the aesthetical-philosophical theories studied and he/she will be able to produce a personal reworking of the acquired knowledge.

Communication skills
The student should have acquired the necessary elements to present the essential features of an aesthetic theory to an audience, possibly including non-specialists.

Learning skills
The student will be able to master the knowledge and skills he/she has acquired.

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

There are no didactic support activities.

Teaching

Didactics
Lectures, seminars.

 

Innovative teaching methods

Debate

Attendance

The course requires a regular attendance (at least 2/3 of the lessons). Alternatively, please make use of the information for not attending students.

Course books

A. Texts:

W. Tatarkiewicz, Storia di sei idee, Aesthetica Edizioni, Sesto San Giovanni 2020.

N. Goodman, I linguaggi dell'arte, Il saggiatore, Milano, 1988.

K. L. Walton, Mimesis come far finta. Sui fondamenti delle arti rappresentazionali, Mimesis, Milano-Udine, 2011.

B. Literature:

A. Pinotti, Il primo libro di teoria dell'immagine, Einaudi, Torino, 2024.

A. Voltolini, Immagine, il Mulino, Bologna 2013.

F. Vercellone, Il futuro dell’immagine, il Mulino, Bologna 2017.

C) Reference books:

F. Desideri e C. Cantelli, Storia dell'estetica occidentale, Nuova edizione, Carocci, Roma 2020.

F. Desideri e A. Mecacci, Estetica contemporanea, Carocci, Roma 2023.

F. Vercellone, A. Bertinetto, G. Garelli, Lineamenti di storia dell'estetica, il Mulino, Bologna 2008.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts included in the blended platform, two from group (A) and one of your choice from groups (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts read and commented on during the course; the use of an 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

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate with independent study for what is done during the lectures, it is advisable for them to make use of all the materials posted on the blended platform (slides, tutorials, supplementary material) that are particularly useful for fully understanding the contents of the programme

Non-attending students can contact the teacher in the office hours to ask for explanations about the content of the tests for the exam.

Attendance

Please contact the teacher at least three months in advance of the scheduled date of the exam to agree on the examination program.

Course books

A. Texts:

W. Tatarkiewicz, Storia di sei idee, Aesthetica Edizioni, Sesto San Giovanni 2020.

N. Goodman, I linguaggi dell'arte, Il saggiatore, Milano, 1988.

K. L. Walton, Mimesis come far finta. Sui fondamenti delle arti rappresentazionali, Mimesis, Milano-Udine, 2011.

B. Literature:

A. Pinotti, Il primo libro di teoria dell'immagine, Einaudi, Torino, 2024.

A. Voltolini, Immagine, il Mulino, Bologna 2013.

F. Vercellone, Il futuro dell’immagine, il Mulino, Bologna 2017.

C) Reference books:

F. Desideri e C. Cantelli, Storia dell'estetica occidentale, Nuova edizione, Carocci, Roma 2020.

F. Desideri e A. Mecacci, Estetica contemporanea, Carocci, Roma 2023.

F. Vercellone, A. Bertinetto, G. Garelli, Lineamenti di storia dell'estetica, il Mulino, Bologna 2008.

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts included in the blended platform, two from group (A) and one of your choice from groups (B) and (C).

Students' knowledge of the philosophical theories dealt with during the course will be subject to an evaluation.

Particular attention is given to the expository capacity with appropriate terminology of philosophical theories as well as to the ability to understand and explain passages from the texts that have been studied.

Students will be expected to develop a critical approach with regard to the theories studied. In evaluating students, particular attention will be given to their ability to reformulate in their own terms the ideas encountered in coursework and to their ability to make comparisons between the various thinkers they have studied.

- Criteria for an evaluation of excellence: a clear exposition with an appropriate terminology of the theories studied; a thorough knowledge of the texts; the ability to connect the various theories; the possession of good critical and in-depth skills.

- Criteria for a discrete evaluation: a clear, albeit mnemonic, exposition of the theories studied; a good knowledge of the texts; a relative ability to connect the various theories; the possession of a relative critical capacity.

- Criteria for a sufficient evaluation: a minimal knowledge of the theories studied, even in the presence of some training gaps; a minimum knowledge of the texts; the use of inappropriate language.

- Criteria for a negative evaluation: poor knowledge of the theories studied; evident training gaps; lack of knowledge of the texts; the use of an 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.

The teacher is available for the students in the appropriate office hours, for explanations and additional bibliographic information on the exam program, particularly in the case of not attending students.