2019-2020 / ARCH0224-1

Introduction to philosophical aesthetics

Duration

24h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in architecture2 crédits 

Lecturer

Stéphane Dawans

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Although architecture cannot be reduced simply to its artistic dimension, no-one seriously doubts that it rightfully belongs among the Fine Arts. Future architects should therefore have an introduction to the fundamental issues in aesthetic philosophy: What are the issues around the question of beauty? How has the question changed in 2,500 years? What is art? What are the particularities of architecture as an artistic practice? Why is art in crisis today?; etc. To respond to these objectives, students need to acquire a range of historical, thematic and conceptual reference points. In 24 hours, we will address the philosophers and concepts that have built the history of western tradition, from Plato to Goodman. We will study some of the most fundamental texts from Antiquity to the current day, which contribute to the debate and will address the main concepts which should enable architecture students to position themselves in relation to the major issues of art in general and architecture in particular.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, students should be able to answer questions relating to:
- the characteristics of major paradigms in aesthetic philosophy (classical, critical, romantic, etc.)
- the contribution of particular philosophers (Plato, Hume, Kant, Nietzsche, Goodman, etc.) in relation to an issue addressed in class,
- major concepts (the pleasant, the beautiful, the sublime, etc.),
- the specificity of architecture as art.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will essentially be delivered in lecture form (with the help of PowerPoint, extracts from documentaries, etc.).

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Recommended or required readings

Notes reproducing the course structure (+bibliography) and a portfolio of reading will be made available. The basic reference text is: Sherringham M., Introduction à la philosophie esthétique, Payot, 1992.

Assessment methods and criteria

Written and/or oral exam

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

cours du 1er quadri

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

n progress

Assessment methods

In progress

Contacts

Items online

two important texts
The text of Nathalie Heinich will allow you not to confuse the strategies of classical, modern and contemporary art as it is exposed today in museums or on public space.

The text of Jean-Louis Genard will make you aware of this inflation of the aesthetics which, since the 1960s according to the sociologist Daniel Bell, impacts the lives of everyone and the world of architecture ...