AESTHETIC I

In consideration of the degree program in which it is offered, the course aims to achieve two primary objectives: 1) to provide an introduction to the history of aesthetics from the eighteenth-century origins to the contemporary perspectives, also through the reading and commentary of selected texts that are significant both for their pivotal role in shaping the discipline and for the theoretical debates they have sparked and enriched over time; 2) to facilitate the acquisition and thorough mastery of key foundational concepts in aesthetics (work of art, aesthetic experience, aesthetic judgement, beauty, creativity, etc.) considered both in their historical-cultural dimension and in their theoretical significance.

The course aims to promote knowledge and understanding of the fundamental moments in the history of aesthetics, the main aesthetic conceptions or theories developed from the eighteenth century to the contemporary era, and the related terminological and conceptual formations and transformations.
In particular:
• Knowledge and understanding: students should be able to independently read and comprehend an aesthetic-philosophical text, place it within its historical and cultural context, and
identify its argumentative lines. They should also be able to use aesthetic terminology precisely and master its main concepts.
• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding – Judgment ability: Finally, students should be able to compare the various aesthetic conceptions or theories studied, critically
evaluating their assumptions, arguments, and implications.

The course is conceived as an introduction to the fundamental issues of aesthetics, so there are no specific prerequisites. Of course, knowledge of both the history of art and philosophical thought of the last two centuries will help.

The course will be divided into two parts: the first part will analyse the aesthetic conceptions of some classics of philosophical aesthetics (Baumgarten, Hume, Kant, Schiller, Hegel, Schopenhauer), especially through the annotated reading of text; the second part will be dedicated, again favoring the annotated reading of texts, to the aesthetics of Wittgenstein and the Wittgensteinians, as well as the reflections of some representatives of the so-called “analytic aesthetics” (in particular, Danto and Goodman).

REQUIRED TEXTS – made available on Moodle at the beginning and throughout the course.

Selected passages from the following works:
‐ A. G. Baumgarten, Estetica.
‐ D. Hume, La regola del gusto.
- I. Kant, Critica della capacità di giudizio.
- F. Schiller, Lettere sull’educazione estetica dell’uomo.
- G.W.F. Hegel, Estetica.
- A. Schopenhauer, Il mondo come volontà e rappresentazione.
- L. Wittgenstein, Lezioni sull’estetica.
‐ A. Danto, La trasfigurazione del banale.
‐ N. Goodman, I linguaggi dell’arte.


SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS

Especially for those who have not attended the lectures or have only attended part of them, it may be helpful to consult:
‐ Franzini, E. (2012), Introduzione all’estetica. Bologna: Il Mulino.
‐ Sauvanet, P. (2008). Elementi di estetica. Bologna: Il Mulino.

The learning will be assessed through a questionnaire of 8 open-ended questions to be completed within two hours. The questionnaire can be analysed and discussed with the lecturer.

written

18-22 range: Sufficient knowledge and understanding of the course content, judgment, and communication skills.
23-26 range: Fair knowledge and understanding of the course content, judgment, and communication skills.
27-30 range: Good or very good knowledge and understanding of the course content, judgment, and communication skills.
30 cum laude will be awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in knowledge and understanding of the course content, judgment, and communication skills.

- Frontal lessons.
- Reading the classics.
- Scheduled student presentations (encouraged).
- Engagement with external scholars.

The lecturer will present the main topics of the course, also through the guided reading and discussion of selected texts. Students will be encouraged not only to ask questions, request clarifications, and raise objections, but also to propose possible solutions to the issues discussed, to develop arguments, and to provide relevant examples.

Accessibility, Disability, and Inclusion.
Ca’ Foscari applies Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support services and accommodations available to students with disabilities or specific language impairment. If you have a motor, visual, hearing, or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disability (Law 170/2010) and require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for exams, individualized exams, accessible materials, note recovery, specialized tutoring to support your studies, interpreters, or other), please contact the Disability and SLI office at disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development