Ned Hettinger
Office: 16 Glebe, Rm. 201
Office Phone: 953-5786
Office Hrs: MWF, 1-2, T 12-1
(Also, stop by my office or make an appointment)
Email: hettingern@cofc.edu
Webpage: http://www.cofc.edu/hettinger
Course webpage: http://www.cofc.edu/hettinger/Aesthetics_Spring_2006
Course Description and Goals
This course is an introduction to aesthetics and the philosophy of art. Topics include the aesthetic appreciation of nature, similarities and differences between nature and art appreciation, aesthetic experience and aesthetic properties, what counts as art and the ontology of art objects, the relevance of artistic intentions, the nature of representation and expression, public art, environmental art, and the value of architecture. Questions include: Is all of nature (but not all of art) beautiful? Can there be better and worse aesthetic responses to nature and/or art? Is some music (e.g., classical music) better than others? Can food be art? What is wrong with art forgery? Are emotions directed at fiction irrational? May public art be censored? Does environmental art insult nature? Is immoral art bad art? What is wrong with being sentimental?
The course aims to acquaint you with these concepts and controversies with the goal of having each of you develop sophisticated philosophical responses of your own to these issues.
Texts
Robert Stecker, Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: An Introduction (2005)
Alex Neill and Aaron Ridley, Arguing About Art (2nd ed, 2002)
Articles available on the Library's Electronic Reserves (http://ereserve.cofc.edu/) and on the course web page
Course Requirements
Midterm exam (23%) Wednesday, March 1st
Final exam (23%) Friday, April 28, 12-3
Paper (34%), including a one-page, typewritten description of the proposed paper. This is a 5-8 page paper on a topic in aesthetics of your choice. Any of the course topics are appropriate (see the course schedule of assignments for ideas), but suitable topics are not limited to those we discuss. However, all papers must be informed to some extent by the class readings and discussions. A paper proposal is due on Thursday, March 16, 3pm, 14 Glebe mailbox. The paper is due on Thursday, April 6th, 3pm, 14 Glebe mailbox.
Reading Quizzes (10%), Class Participation (5%), and Attendance (5%) (20%)
There will be brief quizzes at the beginning of class on the reading for that class period, typically one per week. There will be no make-ups for these quizzes, but you can send me an email before the class you miss briefly describing the reading for that class. I also offer "free quizzes" that allow students to replace missed quizzes. Class participation includes general quality of class involvement. Attendance is particularly important in this class. I want you to learn from each other. Also, developing the skill of thinking philosophically requires practice and following examples. These can't be adequately done on your own. Poor attendance will lower your grade; extremely poor attendance (missing over two weeks of class) is sufficient grounds for failing the course. If you have a good reason for missing class, please write it on a piece of paper (with the date missed and your name) and give it to me. I give assignments and distribute an attendance sheet at the beginning of class. Please come to class on time. It is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet.