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 educated consideration of the role of texts and representation, more specifically of literature and the figurative arts, 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, Aristotle and Lessing. (2) Some new conceptions of literature theory and image theory will be studied.

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; the relationship between poetry and painting in Lessing's Laocoon;

5. the relationship between literature and life, elements of biopoetics and theory of literature with particular reference to Perché le storie ci aiutano a vivere [Why Stories Help Us Live] by Michele Cometa.

6. image theory and the role of images in the contemporary world based on Andrea Pinotti's text, l primo libro di teoria dell’immagine [The First Book of Image Theory].

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

There is no obligation to attend, but regular attendance (at least 2/3 of the lessons) is recommended.

Course books

A. Texts:

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

M. Cometa, Perché le storie ci aiutano a vivere. La letteratura necessaria, Cortina, Milano 2017.

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

B. Recommended readings:

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

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

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

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

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts included in the blended platform and two texts from group (A).

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

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.

A. Texts:

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

M. Cometa, Perché le storie ci aiutano a vivere. La letteratura necessaria, Cortina, Milano 2017.

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

B. Recommended readings:

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

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

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

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

Assessment

An oral examination on the texts included in the blended platform and two texts from group (A).

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.