Assignment #4: Art

1. We will continue to discuss Nehamas on Wednesday.  After that, we'll begin chapter 2 of our text ("What is a work of Art," by Hudson-Miles and Broadey).

2. The latter is divided into 6 sections, each addressing briefly a distinct approach to understanding/defining art. The first approaches art as representational or imitative.

Questions for consideration (along with any others you raise):

a. What definitional concerns are raised in the initial paragraphs of the chapter?

b. Contrast Plato's characterization of art with Aristotle's.

c. What's the difference between imitation and representation?

d. What is conceptual art?

Assignment #3: Nehamas, Beauty, Judgment

 1. read: Nehamas, "An Essay on Beauty and Judgment"

(99+) An Essay on Beauty and Judgment

Note: I will not hold class on Wednesday, February 18th.  (Monday the 16th is a holiday; I will hold class on Friday the 20th).

Assignment #2: What is Aesthetics?

Things to do:

1. We will discuss in our next class brief definitions of both "aesthetics" and "philosophy."  We will then move on to: 

2. Chapter 1, Westenberg, "What is Aesthetics?" (You might also read the "Introduction" by Valery Vino.)

3. Raise at least 2 substantive questions (that is, questions not easily answered by a quick google search) about Ch 1.  Write them down in your notebook dedicated to this seminar and be prepared voluntarily to share them in class.

4. Again, I suggest printing out these chapters.  I can help those with any printer access issues.

Assignment #1: Defininitions, handout CPE, syllabus

Welcome to Art and Philosophy.

Things to do:

1. Research the terms "philosophy" and "aesthetics." Find definitions that strike you as inclusive, interesting, or instructive and bring them to class in a dedicated (section of a) notebook.

2. Read Handout CPE; review the syllabus. Raise any questions about these documents in our next class.