Entry requirements

60 credits in Humanities or Social Science

Learning outcomes

The main objective of this course is to explore different philosophical positions relating to the concept of art criticism (i.e. criticism of the arts, including visual arts, music, film, dance, drama, literature). After completing the course, the student is expected to:

• have a good understanding of the philosophical issues connected with the theme of the course.
• be able to think critically and independently about the different ways of construing the meaning and function of criticism and its relation to notions of aesthetic judgement, perception and experience.

Content

The figure of the critic and the idea of criticism are constant points of reference in the philosophical literature of aesthetics. That said, there are wide disagreements about the concept and function of art-critical texts. Should criticism aim to evaluate its object or to describe it. Does the critic strive to justify her observations, or to get her reader to see what she sees? Does the work of criticism leave its object untouched? In what sense does criticism have its own aesthetics - that is, do critical texts themselves have aesthetic value and, if so, how does this relate to the aesthetic value they seek to identify in the artworks they are about? The course will take stock of the main contrasting conceptions of arts criticism as well as explore possibilities for revisionary approaches to the subject. It will also aim at taking a closer look at the practice of criticism, both in journalistic and academic contexts. During the course we will visit a performance and analyse reviews.

Instruction

Teaching instructions include lectures and seminars.The language of instruction is English .

Assessment

Students are expected to submit a written assignment of approximately 6-7 pages. This assignment will count for 70% of the overall mark. Students will also be expected to make an oral presentation during the course, and to write a short review (c. 350 words) of a work or performance of their choice. The shorter assignments count for 15% of the mark each.