Philosophy of Art

Cross-listed: Philosophy 2250/ Art 2216

What is art? What is a craft? What is aesthetic value? Is art a language? Why are specific works considered worthy to be exhibited in museums and preserved for future generations? Is art permitted to survive only if it renounces the right to be different, and integrates itself into the omnipotent realm of the profane as the philosopher Theodore Adorno argues? Philosophers have debated questions like these and developed ideas about art throughout the centuries. Critically reviewing and evaluating theoretical approaches in this class will broaden understanding of the questions raised about works of art and offer tools in an assessment of artistic pursuits. Since the Philosophy of Art emerged as a discipline in the 18th century in Europe, the exploration of artistic pursuits will include insights regarding the historical roots of the theoretical discussions and exemplary reflections of these in the field of art. PHILOSOPHY 2250 Introduction to Philosophy of Art 3 credit hours Fall Philosophical theories of the creative process in art. Emphasis on form, significance, emotion, reality, association, and chance in the realm of aesthetic judgment and criticism. Credit cannot be given for both Philosophy 2250 and Art 2216. Prerequisite: Course requires Reading Placement Test Score-Category One. (3 lecture hours) This course is recommended for students interested in the study of Philosophy and/or Art, artists, and in particularly as a general elective for students pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts.