28107 - Philosophy and Theory of Arts (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to acquire methodological and critical knowledge about the relationship between philosophy and the ideas, theories and essential categories characterizing the reflection about art. From a historiographical point of view they are expected also to become familiar with two main themes, such as the relationship between philosophical aesthetics and modernity and the possibility to define the conditions under that we can speak of an aesthetic thinking (related to the status of art in general and of the particular arts) also in the ancient philosophy.

Course contents

Representation, denotation, and exemplification. Nelson Goodman's philosophy of Art

The course offers an in-depth examination of Nelson Goodman's aesthetics, focusing on his seminal work Languages of Art (1968), one of the most influential texts in contemporary philosophy of art. Through an analysis of the author's central concepts, the course will explore the symbolic processes underlying the production, interpretation, and experience of works of art. Particular attention will be devoted to Goodman's theories of representation, denotation, and exemplification, as well as to the issues of the individuality and authenticity of the work of art. The course will also examine the role of symbolic systems in the construction of knowledge, showing how art, no less than science, provides distinctive ways of worldmaking. Finally, it will highlight the continuing relevance of Goodman's thought to contemporary debates on aesthetic experience, the theories of emotions, and theories of knowledge.

Readings/Bibliography

1) Sources (mandatory texts)

– Nelson Goodman, I linguaggi dell’arte, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2017.

 

2) Critical studies (mandatory texts)

– Luca Marchetti, Arte ed estetica in Nelson Goodman, Palermo, Aesthetica, 2006.

– Nelson Goodman. La filosofia e i linguaggi, a cura di E. Franzini e M. La Matina, Roma, Quodlibet, 2007, only the essay by L. Handjaras, Identità ed interpretazione dell'opera d'arte nella teoria dei sistemi simbolici di Nelson Goodman (pp. 41-71).

 

Mandatory texts for non attending students:

Non-attending students are required to study the following essay (mandatory text)

– S. Marilungo, Considerazioni sull'arte contemporanea alla luce della teoria dell'arte di Nelson Goodman, in Nelson Goodman. La filosofia e i linguaggi, a cura di E. Franzini e M. La Matina, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2007 (pp. 217-242).

Teaching methods

The course consists of frontal lessons. The sources are commented and discussed, and their main content and historical context are synthetically reconstructed.

Assessment methods

The final proof will take place in the form of an oral examination. During the examination the teacher will assess whether the student has achieved or not some basic educational goals: knowledge of the texts and capacity to contextualize authors and works; comprehension of the fundamental concepts and capacity to provide a correct interpretation of them; clarity in the explanation of concepts and accuracy in the use of philosophical terminology; capacity to establish connections between the various authors and themes from both a historical and a strictly speaking conceptual point of view. During the oral examination the teacher will assess if the student possesses the abovementioned knowledge and skills in a (more or less) complete, precise and adequate way, or vice-versa in a (more or less) incomplete, vague and superficial way. The final grade will correspondently vary from excellent (30 and honors) to very good (30) to good (27-29) to fairly good (24-26) to more than enough (21-23) to merely enough (18-21) to unsatisfactory (<18).

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)have the right to special accommodations according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the teacher but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adaptations. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.

It is recommended that you contact the university office well in advance. Any adaptations must be submitted 15 days in advance for the teacher(s)' approval. They will also assess the adaptations' appropriateness in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Exam sessions

Exam sessions are scheduled during the calendar year in the following months: January, March, May, June, September, November.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations containing useful texts and materials for further study of the course topics will be shown during the lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Gatti