AESTHETIC I

The first part of the course will introduce classical themes and authors of the history of western aesthetics conceived in both meanings, philosophy of art and theory of perception. Particular attention will be given the role played by Kant’s work for the process which led to aesthetics as an autonomous field of studies. In the second part of the course, heteronomous issues and dimension of aesthetics will be analyzed through theoretical debates and approaches which will highlight the dialogue between aesthetics and field such as anthropology, history of art and sociology. With reference to the Bachelor’s Degree Programe in “Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Performing Arts Management”, this course aims to develop, on the one hand, the ability to contextualize and to analyze, both from an historical and cultural point of view, the origin and development of concepts and categories risen within the western aesthetic thought. On the other hand, the course intends to foster the critical capacity of addressing the dynamics and interactions linked to the application of western aesthetic concepts to contexts and cultural products of a different tradition.

By attending face-to-face lectures and preparing the compulsory readings, students will:
1. learn classical themes, authors and problems which characterized the historical development of western aesthetics as autonomous field of studies
2. develop the ability of contextualising categories, concepts and debates from both, the cultural and historic point of view
3. learn to critically analyse aspects and problems linked to the application of concepts and categories of western aesthetic to contexts belonging to non-western tradition
4. acquire a specific vocabulary of aesthetics

The course does not have any pre-requirement.

In the first part of the course, key passages of Kant’s “Critique of Judgment” will be analyzed in order to address, from an historical perspective, categories and key concepts of western aesthetics such as aesthesis, aesthetics as both philosophy of art and theory of perception, taste, beauty, sublime, genius. The second part of the course will focus on the following issues and topics: the historical analysis of the origin of aesthetics developed by Pierre Bourdieu; Clifford Geertz’s interpretation of art as a cultural system; different theoretical positions on questions such as aesthetics as intercultural category, the relationship between aesthetics and anthropology, the notion of non-western aesthetics.

A) COMPULSORY READINGS (for the Exam)
- Pinotti A. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di estetica; Milano: Mimesis (only the following chapters: "AISTHESIS", "ARTE", "GIUDIZIO", "ESPERIENZA ESTETICA")
- Kant I., Critica del giudizio, Laterza (o atre edizioni). Students will study the following parts: Introduzione (in particular, the paragraphs III and IV), Parte I, “Critica del giudizio estetico”
- Bourdieu P. (2005), “La genesi storica dell’estetica pura”, in: Id., Le regole dell’arte; Milano: Il Saggiatore, pp. 369-399
- Caoci A. (a cura di) (2008), Antropologia, estetica e arte; Milano: Franco Angeli (pp. 31-70, pp. 71-94, pp. 133-149)
- Geertz C. (2001), “L’arte come sistema culturale”, in: Id., Antropologia interpretativa; Bologna: Il Mulino, pp. 119-152
- Gene Blocker H. (2005), “L’estetica non-occidentale come invenzione coloniale”, in: G. Matteucci (a cura di) (2005), Elementi di estetica analitica, «Discipline Filosofiche», XV, 2, pp. 211-222


B) OPTIONAL READINGS
- Desideri F.-Cantelli C. (2020), Storia dell’estetica occidentale, Da Omero alle neuroscienze. Nuova edizione; Roma: Carocci
- Pinotti A. (ed.) (2022), Il primo libro di estetica; Milano: Mimesis

The BIBLIOGRAPHY may be subject to changes until the beginning of the lecture course.

Oral exam.
In order to pass the exam, students will be expected to know, analyze and compare the theoretical approaches addressed by EACH of the texts of the compulsory readings.

Assessment criteria:
1. knowledge and ability to critical analyze the compulsory readings
2. comprehension of key notions
3. capacity of distinguishing, comparing key questions, basic thesis, main assumption, interpretative hypothesis, argomentations
4. capacity for clear expression use of the specific vocabulary
5. capacity to link and compare different authors and theoretical approaches

- Face to face lectures (with use of ppt, excerpts from video material, photographs)
- Analytical reading of selected passages from the compulsory readings
- Students are encouraged to participate actively

oral

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