SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Department of Aesthetics
043.083: Aesthetics and Art Theory
Spring 2016
Instructor: Peter Milne
Office: 06-303
Phone: 880-8523
Email: pwmilne@snu.ac.kr
Office Hours: TBA
Course Description: Aesthetics as a discipline can trace its roots back to the very origins of
philosophical thought in both Asia and Europe. Later, in the Europe of the 18th and 19th
centuries, for example, the term came to designate a new kind of science: that of sensory
cognition or experience. Aesthetics is thus much broader than the theory of art with which it is
most often associated today. Nonetheless, aesthetics and art theory are very closely linked, and in
this course well explore that link through an examination of some important trends in modern
and contemporary art. Well begin by looking at three important figures in the development of
modern European aesthetics, focusing particularly on questions like the relation of beauty to
knowledge, the role of concepts or ideas in making aesthetic judgments, and the relation of the
development of aesthetic sensibilities to historical change. Well then look at how these big
questions find their way into discourses about modern art in the 20th Century, examining some
famous debates between formalist and conceptual aesthetics in modern art theory and practice.
Finally, well turn to contemporary aesthetics and art theory, looking at some important feminist
critiques of the aesthetic tradition and considering the possibility that art as it has traditionally
been understood has come to some kind of end. This will allow us to think about current
artistic practices and their place in society, and to consider how we might relate to the art of our
time. Examples of specific works of art will help us think through the theory.
Readings (note: some readings might be subject to change):
Alexander Baumgarten, from Aesthetica
Immanuel Kant, from the Critique of Aesthetic Judgment
G. W. F. Hegel, from the Lectures on the Philosophy of Art
Clement Greenberg, Modernist Painting
Joseph Kosuth, Art after Philosophy
Carolyn Korsmeyer, from Gender and Aesthetics
Arthur Danto, Modern, Postmodern, and Contemporary
Note: Readings will be made available on eTL. Please remember to bring current readings to
class.
Requirements: Two in-class exams (25% each), a final exam (40%), and class participation,
including quizzes (10%)

Aesthetics and Art Theory, Spring 2016

Instructor: Milne

Missed Exams/Assignments: Rescheduling missed exams or assignments is not possible after

the fact. Please contact me before an exam or other assignment is scheduled if you anticipate
problems being there or getting it in on time. Late assignments will be penalized.
Attendance: In most cases, any more than three absences will result in the drop of a letter grade.
Electronic Teaching and Learning (e-TL): There is an e-TL site for this course, where you will
find a copy of the syllabus and readings. Please be sure to download and print all readings, and
to bring current readings to class.
Plagiarism/Academic Integrity: All work turned in for this course must be the students own.
It has become increasingly tempting for students to find ways to take shortcuts on assignments.
Dont be tempted plagiarism is never tolerated and the consequences are serious. Under normal
circumstances, plagiarized work will result in an F for the course.