Aesthetics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to lend students a theoretical background as regards the essential traits of «Aesthetics» as a philosophical discipline. In particular, the course will provide an introduction to the notion of «aesthetic category» (with a specific focus on «beautiful», «ugly», «sublime», «grotesque» and «kitsch») as well as an analysis of seminal concepts such as «genius», «creativity», «taste» and «reception». From year to year, it will also be possible to examine in depth the question of the relationship between image and reality or the relationship between fiction and reality.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to develop a critical approach to the aesthetic categories discussed and apply the knowledge of these to aspects of the contemporary artistic debate. Students will also have acquired a new perspective on the practical implications of the theoretical results and accordingly they will be able to understand better their relationship with the iconic contemporary environment (visual arts) and with the performing arts in general. Therefore, they will have a greater awareness of the world of art, creation, receptions, and their contradictions and tensions.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
(A-M)
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
(N-Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course explores the fundamental concepts of aesthetics: judgment of taste, fruition, genius, creativity, with a continuous focus on and interrelation with the figurative, performing, literary and musical arts. The eighteenth-century foundations of aesthetics, which will be analyzed in depth, will serve to contextualize strictly current issues in art. The course also aims to analyze the issue of aesthetic reception. What are the social, cultural and philosophical factors that make aesthetic enjoyment a complex and stratified issue? The spectator is analyzed studying the balance between the genesis of its constitutive variations and the identification of its persistent characteristics. A case study will be addressed through a well-known spectator: Denis Diderot.
Part A (20 hours, 3 CFU): Introduction to Aesthetics and its categories
Part B (20 hours, 3 CFU): What is the 'Sublime'
Part C (20 hours, 3 CFU): A case study: Diderot and the Salons
Part A (20 hours, 3 CFU): Introduction to Aesthetics and its categories
Part B (20 hours, 3 CFU): What is the 'Sublime'
Part C (20 hours, 3 CFU): A case study: Diderot and the Salons
Prerequisites for admission
Course's attendance does not involve any particular prerequisites since it introduces the main themes of Aesthetics as a philosophical discipline. It requires propensity and passion for the figurative and performing arts and excellent knowledge of the Italian language.
Teaching methods
Lectures based on analysis, synthesis, discussion of philosophical texts, intended to foster student's ability to elaborate a critical point of view on the relevant subjects.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for attending students
Part A
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Lineamenti di Estetica, Le Monnier, 2015.
Part B
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Il senso del limite. Il dolore, l'eccesso, l'osceno, Le Monnier, 2009 (parts indicated in class).
M. Mazzocut-Mis (ed.), L'estetica nella Encyclopédie, Aesthetica Edizioni 2023 (parts indicated in class).
N. Boileau-Despréaux, Del Sublime. Riflessioni critiche su Longino, Morcelliana 2024 (parts indicated in class).
Part C
D. Diderot, I Salons, Bompani, 2021 (parts indicated in class) or M. Mazzocut-Mis (con M. Bertolini, R. Messori, C. Rozzoni, P. Vincenzi), Entrare nell'opera: i Salons di Diderot. Selezione antologica e analisi critica, Mondadori-Le Monnier, 2012 (parts indicated in class).
Bibliography for non-attending students
Part A
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Lineamenti di Estetica, Le Monnier, 2015.
Part B
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Il senso del limite. Il dolore, l'eccesso, l'osceno, Le Monnier, 2009.
M. Mazzocut-Mis (ed.), L'estetica nella Encyclopédie, Aesthetica Edizioni 2023.
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Estetica della fruizione. Sentimento, giudizio di gusto e piacere estetico, Lupetti, 2008.
Part C
D. Diderot, I Salons, Bompani, 2021 (Salons 1761, 1763, 1765 e 1767).
Part A
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Lineamenti di Estetica, Le Monnier, 2015.
Part B
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Il senso del limite. Il dolore, l'eccesso, l'osceno, Le Monnier, 2009 (parts indicated in class).
M. Mazzocut-Mis (ed.), L'estetica nella Encyclopédie, Aesthetica Edizioni 2023 (parts indicated in class).
N. Boileau-Despréaux, Del Sublime. Riflessioni critiche su Longino, Morcelliana 2024 (parts indicated in class).
Part C
D. Diderot, I Salons, Bompani, 2021 (parts indicated in class) or M. Mazzocut-Mis (con M. Bertolini, R. Messori, C. Rozzoni, P. Vincenzi), Entrare nell'opera: i Salons di Diderot. Selezione antologica e analisi critica, Mondadori-Le Monnier, 2012 (parts indicated in class).
Bibliography for non-attending students
Part A
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Lineamenti di Estetica, Le Monnier, 2015.
Part B
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Il senso del limite. Il dolore, l'eccesso, l'osceno, Le Monnier, 2009.
M. Mazzocut-Mis (ed.), L'estetica nella Encyclopédie, Aesthetica Edizioni 2023.
M. Mazzocut-Mis, Estetica della fruizione. Sentimento, giudizio di gusto e piacere estetico, Lupetti, 2008.
Part C
D. Diderot, I Salons, Bompani, 2021 (Salons 1761, 1763, 1765 e 1767).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two written tests at the end of the course (May) addressed only to the participants (according to the registration during the lessons). These are multiple-choice tests on the texts provided for didactic units A, B and C. In place of the written tests, attending students are allowed to opt for taking an oral test (during the dates foreseen for the exam session), which consists of an oral exam on the syllabus topics, aimed at assessing the knowledge and skills acquired. Students who are not attending will have to take an oral test during the dates for the exam session, which consists of an oral exam on the syllabus topics of the didactic units A, B and C (see "Bibliography for not attending students").
Nota bene
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to make timely contact with the teacher who holds the course.
The examination modalities for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, complying with the competent Office.
Nota bene
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to make timely contact with the teacher who holds the course.
The examination modalities for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher, complying with the competent Office.
Professor(s)