Aesthetics (PHI3800 Sec. 01)

 

Basic Info

 

Title
Aesthetics

Prefix and Number

PHI 3800

Section

U01

Semester/Year

Fall 2023

Location

PC 416

Day/Time

MW 2:00 – 3:15

Instructor

Kenton Harris

Instructor Office

DM 343 B (MMC)

Instructor Telephone Number

(305) 348-3516

Instructor E-mail

harrisk@fiu.edu

Instructor Web Site

http://faculty.fiu.edu/~harrisk/

Text(s)

Introducing Aesthetics, Fenner, David

Introduction to Aesthetics: An Analytic Approach, Dickie, George

Tests

One In-class Exam

Paper

Two Drafts on One Paper  (8-10-page papers)

Final Exam

Yes

 

Lesson Plan

 

Important Dates:

 

Grades Assignment

Date Due

Percentage of Final Grade

 

 

 

Exam 1

10/4/23

25%

Out of Class Art Project (2)

TBA

10%

Paper 1a

10/30/23

35%

 

Peer Review Returned

11/6/23

Paper 1b

11/13/23

Final Exam

As scheduled by the University

 

30%

End of the Drop/Add Period

 

Last Day to Drop Without incurring financial liability

Monday August 28th

Last Day to Apply for graduation at the end of Fall 2023 term

Sunday September 10th

Last Date to Drop and Receive a “DR”

Monday October 30th

 

Course Description:

 

This course will examine the concepts of beauty and sublime and the evolution of the concept of “aesthetic experience.”  Also we shall consider the most influential theories in Western Aesthetics, including Mimetic Theory, Expressive Theory, Formalism, Media Formalism, Romanticism, Post-modernism, and Historicism.  We shall consider theoretical underpinnings for the interpretation, criticism and evaluation of art objects, the current controversy over "standards in art" and the possible future of art.  Finally we shall examine whether and how judgements involving aesthetic concepts objects of art can constitute knowledge. 

 

Purpose:

 

How does this course advance/fit University Mission?

 

Because this is a course in the philosophical consideration of art and beauty, it necessarily requires that student become acquainted with history, the visual arts, literature, drama, music, dance, religion, mythology, politics, and ethics.  Beyond that, the student will learn to sharpen his/her observational skills, analytic as well as synthetic thinking, and writing abilities and communication skills.  It is precisely this kind of breadth of knowledge and intellectual maturity, which is expected of a University graduate.

 

Objectives:

 

It is the objective of this course to acquaint the student with aesthetic theory both as a way of enriching the student's exchange with art as well as give the student a deeper appreciation of the art world and the issues and controversies therein.  More generally, it is the aim of this course to familiarize the student with the discipline of philosophy, its ubiquitous presence in all areas of reflective human experience and the value of the examined life.  Finally it is the aim of this class to equip the student with the tools necessary to make informed and intelligent judgements about art and culture.

 

Learning Methods:

 

The course will be primarily Lecture in format.  There will be several mandatory outside assignments requiring each student to experience some work of art first hand and later discuss it with the class (i.e. visit a gallery, attend a concert, see a film).  The student will be tested on comprehension of lecture and text material with two in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam.  Also the student will be required to write at least one thesis paper involving some research and original thought.

 

Writing Component:

 

As a portion of this course involves meta-criticism, the students will be required to write critically on several art experiences.  Further the students will be required to write at least one philosophy paper on a designated topic.  This latter project will involve research as well as original thought.  Given the subject matter, the student will necessarily need to incorporate information from a wide range of related liberal arts disciplines.

 

Skills Component:

 

As with any philosophy class there will be heavy emphasis clear articulation skills, the ability to reason and justify one's one assertions, to see the implications and ramifications of theoretical positions.  Developing these skills will be a major focus of the course and, indeed, will be necessary for passing this course.

 

Learning Competencies:

 

The student will need to hone his/her skills as both an analytic and synthetic reasoner as well as his/her observation and communications skills.  This course will involve experiencing, thinking about, talking about and ultimately writing about art.

 

Basic Policies

 

Below are listed various procedural policies.  By remaining a registered student in this course you indicate you acceptance of the policies listed in this syllabus.

 

Attendance and make-up policies:

 

1.            Class participation and in-class assignments are an integral part of a satisfactory grade.  Poor attendance will result in a lower grade.

 

2.            There will be no make-ups for missed work or tests.

 

3.            A documented emergency will be dealt with on an individual basis.

 

Drops:

 

Students unable to continue in the course should notify the instructor.  It is their responsibility to fill out official withdrawal forms with the registrar's office. If they do not officially withdraw, they will receive an F for the course.

 

Special Learning Needs:

 

Students with documented special learning needs are asked to have Student Services inform the instructor so that accommodations can be made when necessary for testing, note taking or, paper writing.

 

Class Conduct:

 

1. All students must come to class, on time and prepared with his or her own books and materials. In the interest of fairness to all students who desire a classroom environment conducive to learning, no students will be allowed to share books. If students come to class without their own books, they must not infringe upon the rights of those who do come prepared.

 

2. Cellular phones must be turned off prior to class.

 

Requirements and Grading:

 

Requirements:

 

Papers:

 

Two Drafts of a Major Paper.  Typed, double-spaced, normal font.  We will discuss the contents of these papers in class.  (35% of final grade)

 

In this class we are utilizing peer review writing techniques.  On the day that Paper 1a is due, students will BOTH bring a paper copy of the assignment to class that day AND submit an electronic version to my Blackboard site for the class.  The paper copy should contain no identifying information other that the student’s Panther ID number.  I will then redistribute the papers to peers within the class.  Each peer will read a fellow student’s paper, provide feedback and fill out a rubric evaluation.   Peers will return the student’s paper with their comments and assessment to me by the end of the week.  The following week I will return to these same materials to the original authors.  With this information, students will write a second draft of the original paper (1b). 

 

On the due date for paper 1b students will turn in to me:

 

  1. The Original Hard Copy of the Paper 1a
  2. The Peer Review
  3. Upload Second Draft to Blackboard (Paper 1b)  Student need not turn in a hard copy of paper 1b.

 

Papers 1a & 1b will receive a single grade to be counted in the student’s final average.  The grade will reflect a composite

 

  1. of the initial quality of the paper submission
  2. the quality of the peer review the student provide to his fellow student
  3.  and the degree to which the second paper is further developed incorporating feedback from the peer reviewer and me.

 

In-class Examination:

 

There will be an in-class exams as designated by the lesson plan. Each exam will be count as 25% of the final average.

 

Final Examination:

 

A final examination will be given during the final exam week as specified by the University calendar.  The final exam will be largely objective and drawn from class lectures and text material. The final exam will be cumulative.  The final exam will count for 30% of the final grade.

 

Out-of class Assignments:

 

Each student will be required to do two out-of-class assignments, both of which will be worth 5% of the student's final grade.  These will require that the student engage some work of art directly and write about the experience (a short 1-2-page paper).

 

Grading:

 

Grades will be based on the papers (40% total), in-class exams (40% total), outside assignments (20% total) and the final exam (20% total).

 

                Note: The student may elect to drop any ONE of the 20% assignments with the exception of the out-of class art engagements.  For this reason, NO MAKE-UP assignments will be given.  It follows that the student may elect to skip the final examination if he or she wishes to drop no other 20% assignment grade.

 

Grading Scale:                    A = (100-94)        A- = (93-92)

                B+ = (91-88)        B = (87-84)           B- = (83-81)

                C+ = (80-77)        C = (76-74)           C- = (73-70)

                D+ = (69-66)        D = (65-63)          D- =        (62-60)

                F = (59-0)

 

ATTENTION STUDENTS: NOTE both the grading scale and the exam and paper dates now.  No exceptions will be made so you must decide NOW whether these terms are acceptable to you or not or whether they interfere will travel plans or per­sonal commit­ments.  It is your decision to remain in this course under the specified conditions and I encourage each of you to thoughtfully consider this before the drop/add deadline.