PHIL 242 Philosophy of Art

Spring Semester 2012 | Evening | Vancouver Campus

INSTRUCTOR  Bill Barthelemy

REQUIRED TEXTS

• Aesthetics: Classic Readings from the Western Tradition, Dabney Townsend, Ed., 2nd edition, Wadsworth

COURSE DESCRIPTION

We will explore attempts to understand the nature and value of art (painting, music, literature, and film). The course presupposes no formal study of the arts although an informal interest will help. We will read traditional thinkers (e.g. Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Tolstoy) on the topics of art and aesthetics, and contemporary critics of those traditional thinkers. We will critically examine answers to questions such as: what distinguishes art from non-art? What is the status of aesthetic judgements? Is there a difference between such judgements and judgements of taste or expressions of subjective preference? Should moral considerations affect our evaluation of art?

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• 2 hour mid-term - 30%
• 6 page essay - 20%
• 3 hour final exam - 40%
• Participation - 10%

Note: Prerequisites: PHIL 242 has no prerequisites and may be applied towards the Certificate in Liberal Arts