90976 - Everyday Aesthetics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is enabled to critically reflect on the processes of aestheticization that affect everyday life and on events, settings and activities in which the faculty of sensibility is saliently at stake, i.e. aesthetic elements in design, urban environments and social practices. He/she is able to interpret these processes as crucial for the creation of fashion products in the current context and as the basis for cultural phenomena of the last decades in various artistic fields (from the visual arts to music, from the performing arts to literature). To this end the course aims at providing the following skills: analyzing phenomena that characterize the contemporary everyday reality; developing a not naive idea of "creativity"; possessing awareness of the social implications of aesthetic phenomena.

Course contents

Title: The aesthetic knowledge of Fashion.

What kind of knowledge is involved in fashion in the light of the challenges of today’s reality? This is the fundamental background question that will orientate the development of the course, whose main goal is to analyze the various meanings that fashion takes (both as implicit practical knowledge and as a social phenomenon) from an aesthetic point of view. This perspective can also provide a good example for a new conception of the aesthetic that is close to our everyday experience.

Beginning: January, 28th, 2020.

Timetable: third period (second semester) - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 to 11.

Classroom: Briolini 4.

Readings/Bibliography

1) E. Wilson, Adorned in Dreams: Fashion and Modernity, Tauris & Co., London-New York 2003, chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 12 only (pp. 1-90, 134-219, and 248-277).

2) T. Edwards, Fashion in Focus. Concepts, Practices and Politics, Routledge, London and New York 2011, chapter 6 only (pp. 103-119).

3) G. Matteucci & S. Marino (eds.), Philosophical Perspectives on Fashion, Bloomsbury, London 2017, chapters 2 and 9 only (pp. 47-72 and pp. 185-190).

4) Texts provided/indicated by the teacher (for attending students).

Teaching methods

Thematic introductions; classroom activities by students (as indicated in "Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento / Assessment methods").

Assessment methods

1) Attending students must:

a) Prepare and give two presentations during the course on the topics/texts addressed in class (otherwise: see instructions a1 for non-attending students).

b) Write at the end of each lesson a brief glossary concerning one of the main concepts addressed during the class (this material will be evaluated for the final exam only if it concerns 6 lessons at least; otherwise: see instructions a2 for non-attending students).

c) Take part actively to classroom activities.

 

2) Non-attending students must:

a) Write two papers (3000 words each) concerning:

a1) One chapter of Elizabeth Wilson’s volume Adorned in Dreams (see point 1 of the bibliography) chosen among the chapters 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9. Not less than 1500 out of the 3000 words must concern the analysis of the chapter; the remaining part of the paper must address one or more (recent – concerning the last 15 years) case studies which can corroborate or prove wrong the analysis carried out in the chosen text.

a2) The comparison between either at least two chapters of Elizabeth Wilson’s volume Adorned in Dreams (see point 1 of the bibliography), or at least one chapter of Elizabeth Wilson’s volume Adorned in Dreams and Tim Edwards’ Fashion in Focus’ chapter 6 (see points 1 and 2 of the bibliography); the chapter analyzed in the first paper (see a1) cannot be used in this comparison. Not less than 1500 out of the 3000 words must concern the analysis of the chosen topic/s; the remaining part of the paper must address one or more (recent – concerning the last 15 years) case

N.B.: The papers have to be submitted at least 10 days before the date of the exam.

b) Take an oral examination (if required by the teacher after the delivery of the papers) concerning the texts indicated in the point 3 of the bibliography.

 

The assessment will focus particularly on the student’s skills in handling the material included in the exam bibliography and his/her ability to find and use information and examples to illustrate and correlate the various themes and problems addressed during the course.

The papers and the oral examination will ensure the achievement of the following objectives:

- factual knowledge of the subject;
- ability to summarise and analyse themes and concepts;
- familiarity with the terminology associated with the subject and his/her ability to use it effectively.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.

Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.

A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he/she displays significant errors in his/her understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.

Teaching tools

We will use power point slides concerning course's texts and topics.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Matteucci