PHIL 403 - Philosophy of Art

Description:
Survey of ancient, modern, and contemporary philosophy of art, with an emphasis on primary texts and application to artwork. Examination of different ways to define art and its function: art as representation, expression, and metaphor. Formerly, PHIL 303. Students may not receive credit for both.

Credits: (5)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the major philosophies of art: representational theory, institutional theory, formalism, naturalism, expressivism, and phenomenology.
Identify the ways in which an artist’s intention matters and does not matter in interpreting a work of art.
Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which metaphor in art helps us epistemically to understand the world and other people more clearly.
Demonstrate the relationship between art and philosophic vocabulary.
Identify the ways that philosophy has influenced art and art has developed its own philosophies, especially in the Dada movement; as well as how artists have challenged philosophies of art.

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
11/20/2014