Introduction to Aesthetics: Phil 2401
Course Syllabus – Spring 2012
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, .
Course Numbers: Phil 2401: (CRN 24207) Room: UC 262 MW 5:00-6:15.
Credit Hours: 3.0 semester credit hours (3-0-3)
Catalog Description:An introduction to the philosophical questions "What do you mean?" and "How do you know?" in the realm of aesthetics, most particularly in the arts. Through readings and discussions of representative philosophical texts and with close attention to aesthetic objects themselves, questions such as the following will be examined: What is artistic expression? What do works of art mean? Is there a general definition of art? What makes a work of art good? Critical thinking and communication skills are emphasized.
Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: Learning Support students who are required to take ENGL 0099 and/or READ 0099 must exit the requirement(s)before they can enroll in this course
Computer Requirement: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to
Computer Skill Prerequisites:
- Able to use the WindowsTM operating system
- Able to use Microsoft WordTM word processing
- Able to send and receive e-mail using OutlookTM or Outlook ExpressTM
- Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
- Able to use a Web browser
In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers: Computers will be required to access course materials, communicate with your instructor, and participate in classroom research activities.
Course Learning Outcomes:
To familiarize students with World Philosophy
To enhance communication skills, oral and written
To teach analysis of complex, ideas, definitions and arguments
- Communications outcomes components
- Critical thinking outcomes components
Instructor Information:
Dr. Aaron Dopf
phone: 678.466.4813
e-mail:
Office: Arts and Sciences 110 C
Office Hours:MW 3:30 – 5:00, 6:30 – 8:00, T Th 3:30 – 5:00.
Class Email Listserv:
Required Text:Aesthetics: A Comprehensive Anthology, Steven Cahn & Aaron Meskin, Eds., Blackwell Publishing.
COURSE REQUIRMENTS
In order to do well in this class attendance is essential. You get 2 free absences; any subsequent absences will result in the loss of 2 attendance points and 2 participation points. Anyone missing more than 10 classes will not receive credit for the course. For exams you will be responsible for BOTH material covered in lecture as well as material covered in the readings. The readings will of course be the subject of the lectures but some parts of the readings may not be discussed in as much detail as others, and additional material may be presented in lecture. Therefore, it is essential that you not only do all the readings but do them PRIOR to lecture so that you are able to get the most out of the lectures and participate in discussion of the material. Three short quizzes will be given over the readings during the semester (the lowest of the three will be dropped). To do well on them you will need to do each assigned reading and attend lecture regularly. IN MOST CASES MAKEUP WORK IS NOT ALLOWED.
There will also be 4 reading responses. I will pick one reading in each of the four sections and ask a basic question(s) for you to consider as you read it. You will then need to write a brief response (no more than a paragraph or so and can be hand written) prior to the lecture over the material.
You will also have to write ONE SHORT PAPER (approx. 5 pages) over one of the three sections of the course. During each of the 3 sections of the course I will offer two or three possible paper topics related to that section – you may choose the section and topic that you are most interested in to write on (you can get the paper out of the way early or put it off until the end; the choice is yours). The paper is due a week after the exam of the section you choose to write over. Late papers will result in a 20% grade reduction.
COURSE GRADE
Grades will be based on three examinations, one short paper, three quizzes, four reading responses, and attendance/participation. There are 450 possible points for the course:
300 points: Exams (three 100 point exams)
50 points: Paper (short 5 page paper over 1 of the 3 sections of the course -- your choice)
20 points: Quizzes (there will be three 10 point quizzes but I drop the lowest of the three)
20 points: Reading responses (4 responses, one over each of the four sections: 5 points each)
30 points: Attendance (you get 2 free absences, after that you lose 2 points per absence)
30 points: Participation (active involvement in discussion of the material)
A = 90%-100% (403-450 points)
B = 80%-89% (358-402)
C = 70%-79% (313-357)
D = 60%-69% (268-312)
F = 0%-59% (0-267)
Midterm Progress Report:The Midterm grades will be issued by February 28th. The last day to withdrawal from a class is March 2nd. Contact the Registrar’s office for further information.
READINGS, LECTURES, AND EXAMS
1/9 Introductory Comments
1/11 Plato’s Symposium34
1/16 MLK Day
1/18 Aristotle 41
1/23Adorno 358
1/25Kant 131-144
1/30Kant 145-160
2/1 Hume 103
2/6 Plato’s Republic24
2/8 Review
2/13EXAM I
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2/15 Kivy, Levinson 628, 479
2/20Nietzsche 222
2/22Heidegger 344
2/27Hegel 180
2/29 Langer 317
3/5 SPRING BREAK
3/7 SPRING BREAK
3/12Benjamin 327
3/14Bell 261
3/19Sibley 494
3/21Review
3/26EXAM II
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3/28Dewey 296
4/2 Tolstoy 233
4/4 Gadamer 370
4/9 Bullough 243 [Exit Through the Gift Shop] IT MIGHT GET LOUD
4/11Danto 417
4/16 Schiller 167 [Goodman]
4/18 Weitz409 [Walton: Fearing Fictions]
4/23 Croce 270
4/25 Review
FINAL EXAM: TBA
Course Policies
General Policy: Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected for all class periods. More than 3 absences will result in a deduction of 5% from your final course grade. Habitual tardiness (i.e., more than 5 late arrivals) will also result in a deduction of 5% from your final course grade. An absence or late arrival may be excused due to (1) official CSU functions (such as athletic events), (2) required official military duty, or (3) documentation from a physician or other appropriate authority. For online courses, attendance is required for orientation and for all exams, and is very strongly encouraged for all review sessions.
Missed Work: With a valid excuse that explains why the student was unable to take the test or submit the assignment on time:
- Make-up quizzes will be scheduled at a time chosen by the instructor. Note, the make-up quiz may be different from the scheduled quiz that the student missed.
- Make-up homework may be submitted at a time determined by the instructor.
- Make-up tests will be scheduled at a time chosen by the instructor. Note, the make-up exam may be different from the scheduled examination that the student missed.
- Make-up papers and paper drafts will be due at a time chosen by the instructor.
- The final examination must be taken. If you know you cannot make the scheduled time, consult at least two weeks in advance with the instructor and a new exam date may be arranged, if the instructor believes conditions warrant rescheduling. To reschedule an exam, you must submit a change of final examination date form to the instructor several days prior to the examination. It is your responsibility to submit this form and, if you do not, then you will not be allowed to reschedule your exam. Forms may be obtained from the secretary in the College of Arts and Sciences. Note, should you reschedule, the exam you take may be different from the regularly scheduled examination.
Academic Dishonesty: Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct – This includes posting any course material to sites like NOTEHALL.COM. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else’s words or ideas in your presentation or writing without giving that person credit. Even paraphrase is plagiarism if you do not properly cite your source. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved, and will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at:
Disruption of the Learning Environment: Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: