LFU:online

Students acquire basic knowledge of questions of analytical aesthetics with regard to the concept of art. The seminar teaches independent approaches to a research question in the field of art philosophy.

The seminar provides an introductory survey of questions pertaining to the philosophy of art. Topics include the representational theory of art, formalism, neo-formalism, aesthetic theories of art, the institutional theory of art as well as foundational theories by Baumgarten, Kant and Hegel. A recurring question will be: What is Art? How can philosophy grasp that ubiquitous phenomenon?

Preparatory reading of selected essays, joint weekly online discussions. Guidance to writing a seminar thesis. – The minimum requirement for a positive grade is the timely submission of four short assignments during the term and one seminar paper, the latter may be submitted until the end of September 2023. A video- or audio-podcast reduces the short written assignments (except the SE-paper, which has to be written by everyone) to two.

Written assignments, an optional podcast (audio or video), SE-paper. - Each submission will be graded separately. 40% of the final grade will be based on four short written assignments, 20% are based on active participation in class discussions, a further 40% of the grade will result from the final seminar paper.

Literature will be provided online. Useful collections are:

Feagin, Susan & Patrick Maynard (eds.)(1997): Aesthetics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kieran, Matthew (ed.)(2006): Contemporary Debates in Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art. Malden et al.: Blackwell.

For Bachelor's Programme Philosophy at Faculty of Catholic Theology (2021): positive completion of compulsory module 1.

For Bachelor's Programme Catholic Religious Education (2021): positive completion of compulsory module 1.

For Diploma Programme Catholic Theology (2021): positive completion of compulsory module 1 of the first part of studies programme.

The majority of texts will be in English.