PHL 3650 - Aesthetics and Human Values

Credits: 4

We are so immersed in the various forms of artistic expression and production in our daily lives-whether visual, musical, literary, or architectural-that we seldom stop to consider what art is and why it has such power to affect us. What makes something art? Are there objective artistic standards, or are all standards merely subjective preferences? How can different art works sometimes excite us, sometimes calm us, make us laugh, and make us cry? These are some of the questions we shall ask as we study art’s power, meaning, and social and political dimensions. Depending on the interests of the instructor, the course may emphasize a particular art form, such as painting or music. Area Requirement for Philosophy: Ethics

Prerequisite(s): Any 1000 level course.
Fulfills: AL, X, E in LS Core