Michigan State University, Integrative Studies, Dr

MichiganStateUniversity, Integrative Studies, Dr. Christian Lotz

Paper Assignment, IAH 231a, Fall 2005

Note on the assignments selected for this class:

The assignments selected for this class focus on different skills as well as on different levels of insight and understanding. It is hoped that every type of “learner” will find at least one assignment that echoes his or her most appropriate way to express what was learned in class.

-the response sheets give you an opportunity to submit questions and to reflect on the class content and the lectures

-the exams test your discipline and, in addition, they test whether you are a self-determined learner

-the paper is meant to be an additional opportunity for reflecting on and deepening your understanding of theories of art, according to Cassirer and Hegel

-the group assignment challenges you as a social learner and lets you connect the material in class to an institution on campus (KresgeArt Museum). In addition, it tests how well you can apply theoretical questions to cultural examples, such as art work

-the final exam gives you the opportunity to answer broad questions about the material covered in class and the reflections that the material triggers in an essayistic form. It requires you to organize and structure your thoughts in an appropriate and articulate manner.

Thisparticular paper assignment is designed to give you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of Cassirer and Hegel. Moreover, if you take it seriously, it will help you prepare for the final exam. egThe length of the paper should be approximately 3 pages, it should be double spaced with 1 inch margins, Times New Roman font should be used, and its due date is December 8. (No late papers accepted!)

First, go over your notes on Cassirer/Hegel and recall what we discussed in class. Also, study (again) the main parts of these texts. One of the main points discussed in class was the claim that art, according to Hegel and Cassirer, should be conceived as a “reflection” of human thought and of human beings. In other words, art, according to Hegel and Cassirer, does not have a “subjective” nature; rather, it can tell us something about our own – human – constitution. As such, art in this sense presents possible answers to questions of what, how, and who we are as cultural and self-conscious entities. In this way, works of art raise their own questions, are reflective, and can be taken as ways of challenging thought and perception. Art, in short, is a symbolic form and is related to truth and understanding.

Keeping this in mind, read the two-part essay-question below and begin to organize your thoughts. It is very important that you first try to come up with an outline of what you have in mind, since an outline will help you structure what you want to say in your paper. Then, think about how to formulate appropriate answersto the questions and decide which issues are connected to them. Finally, in the introduction to the paper, let your reader know how you intend to answer the main questions or how you intend to argue for your main points. Be aware that the broad formulation of the two-part essay question is challenging in two regards: [i] it requires you to be very wellorganized and [ii] it requires you to demonstrate how to explain a specific position in a conciseand articulatemanner. Please check the class web site if you need more help on writing assignments.

Essay-Question:

Try to prepare your answer from the perspective of Cassirer and Hegel, and try to write an essay on the following question, which has two parts: [1] explain why art deserves both a “scientific” and a philosophical treatment and reflection, according to Hegel, and [2] explain why the function and the essence of art should neither be conceived as imitation, nor as expression,nor as fulfillment of our pleasures, according to Cassirer.