PHILOSOPHY OF THE ARTS

PHIL 331 M & W 1:00 2:15 DAVIDSON 208B SPRING 2012

Instructor: John Gibson. Office hours: M & W 9:30 - 10:55, or by appointment. Office: 313D HUM Office Telephone: (502) 852-0452 Email: john.gibson@louisville.edu

*The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the syllabus during the course of the semester. Changes will always be announced to the class well in advance and will normally be limited to postponing or cancelling assigned readings (for example, if the class falls behind schedule).
A) COURSE DESCRIPTION An introduction to some of the core problems in contemporary aesthetics. Students will be introduced both to the central problems in the philosophy of art and to the practice of engaging in the philosophical exploration of the content of specific artworks. Special attention will be given to the following issues The nature of art The structure of aesthetic judgments & experience The relationship between art, truth and morality The nature of emotional responses to art The nature of artistic meaning and the role of interpretation in uncovering it.

EXPECTATIONS: My general expectation is that students will approach the various theories we will discuss in this course as each offering us a vocabulary with which to offer a story of what art is and the role it plays in our culture. My hope is that by the end of the semester students will have developed an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each of these vocabularies (what each allows us to say of value about art and aesthetic experience) and will be able to use them effectively and creatively in discussing specific artworks. Essays that demonstrate an understanding of this will, other things being equal, receive good goods. Those which do not will receive low grades.
1. 2. 3. 4.

Midterm: 25%. Final Exam: 35%. The final will be cumulative. One Term Paper: 30%. Term papers are longer (7-8 pages). Participation: 10%: For the purposes of this course, it will suffice to define participation as: regular attendance coupled with constructive contribution to discussions.

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Students may ask me to read drafts of their essays. Drafts will be read during my office hours or a prearranged appointment with the student present. I will only read a draft if (a) it is printed and reasonably edited (no scribbled notes, etc), and (b) it is brought to me no later than 2 days before the essay is due. Attendance Policy: Students are allowed to miss two classes. This includes excused absences. After that, overall grades will drop by a letter with every absence (i.e., a B+ will be a B if a student has missed three courses). If you are sick and require an extended absence from class, I will need documentation (a withdrawal from the class is usually recommended in these cases).
B. IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Midterm: February 22nd Last day to withdraw: March 1st. Spring break: March 12th-18th Term Paper: April 16th Final: May 1st, 2:30-5:00pm

C. REQUIRED BOOKS: *All texts are available at the main campus bookstore. 1. The Art Question (Routledge, 2003), Nigel Warburton 2. Arguing about Art, (Routledge, 2008, 3rd edition), Neill and Ridley (eds.) D. SCHEDULE *Students should expect to read 60 or so pages a week. *Depending on discussion and other factors, we very likely spend more (or less) time on a text than indicated below. It is the students responsibility to stay informed about where we are at every point in the semester.

1st Week: January 9th 13th M: Course Intro W: Discussion: Why Does Art Matter to Philosophy? 2nd week: January 16th 20th M: Martin Luther King Day: no class. W: Introduction and Chapter 1, The Art Question (AQ 3rd week: January 23rd - 27th M: Chapter 2, AQ. W: Chapter 3, AQ. 4th week: January 30th - February 3rd

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M: Chapter 4, AQ W: Chapter 5, AQ 5th Week: February 6th -10th M: Outline of theories of fiction and emotion (handout provided) W: Part 7, Introduction. Arguing about Art (AA henceforth). 6th Week: February 14th 18th M: Part 7, chapter 16, AA W: Part 7, chapter 17, AA. 7th week: February 20th - 24th M. Review W. Midterm 8th week: February 27th - March 2nd M: Part 8, intro & chapter 18, AA W: Part 8, chapter 19, AA 9th week: March 5th -9th M. Part 10, Introduction & Chapter 23, AA W: Part 10, chapter 24, AA 10th Week: March 12th -18th SPRING BREAK! 11th week: March 19th 23rd M: Part 3, Introduction, AA W: Part 3, Chapter 6, AA 12th week: March 26th 30th M: Part 3, Chapter 7, AA W: Part 4, Introduction, AA 13th week: April 2nd -6th M: Part 4, Chapter, 8, AA W: Part 4, Chapter 9, AA 14th week: April 9th -13th M: Music & ontology (no reading; handout will be provided) W: Music and emotion (no reading; handout will be provided) 15th week: April 16th -20th W & W: catch-up and individual meetings to discuss papers TERM PAPER DUE Monday APRIL 16th

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16th Week: April 23rd M. Review for Final Final Exam: Tues., May 1, 2:30PM - 5:00PM E. UNIVERSITY STATEMENTS F. UNIVERSITY STATEMENTS 1) Academic Dishonesty: "Academic dishonesty is prohibited at the University of Louisville. It is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of scholarship, makes accurate evaluation of student progress impossible, and defrauds those in society who must ultimately depend upon the knowledge and integrity of the institution and its students and faculty." For more information, visit the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Sections 5. and 6.) 2) Diversity: "We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences-including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, national origin or military status-that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university. For more information, visit the Office of Diversity. 3) Religious Holy Days and Observances: "Federal law and university policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It is the policy of the University of Louisville to accommodate students, faculty, and staff who observe religious work-restricted holy days. For more information, view the Calendar and Policy on Religious Holy Days and Observances (PDF). 4) Students with Disabilities: "The University of Louisville is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify me immediately and contact the Disability Resource Center (Robbins Hall, 852-6938) for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations." For more information, visit the Disability Resource Center.

5) Sexual Harassment: The University of Louisville strives to maintain the campus free of all forms of illegal discrimination as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students. Sexual harassment is unacceptable and unlawful conduct and will not be tolerated in the workplace and the educational environment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment, even when carried out through computers or other electronic communications systems. Students and Instructors are protected from Sexual Harassment according to the Affirmative Action policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and the UofL Computer Account Usage Agreement. Anyone experiencing Sexual Harassment should refer to the links above and/or contact the PEACC Program at 852-2663 and an advocate will explain your choices. This is a free and confidential service. Anyone who would like to receive more information or provide training to a classroom can contact a PEACC representative at 852-2663 and may use the educational modules provided by the PEACC Program. G. IMPORTANT DATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY CALENDAR Classes start Last day of registration Last day to drop/add Martin Luther King holiday Last day to apply for degree Last day to withdraw Spring break Last day of classes Reading day Final examinations Jan. 9 (Mon) Jan. 9 (Mon) Jan. 13 (Fri) Jan. 16 (Mon) Feb. 2 (Thurs) March 1 (Thurs) March 12-18 (MonSun) April 23 (Mon) April 24 (Tues) April 25-May 1 (WedTues)