Course detail

The Purose Of Art Now?

FaVU-1POA-ZAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course focuses on contemporary philosophy of art, connecting it with the theory of mass media, sociology, and aesthetics. First half of the course will focus on the writings of Jean Baudrillard and Paul Virilio (Baudrillard's theory of simulacra and his version of the critique of post-modern culture nad society, Virilio's critique of war apparatus, speed, cyberculture, etc...). We will also look at the role of art in contemporary society, ask to what extent this role is essential or replacable, and look at various theoreticians who provide different, often opposing answers. We will also look into the issue of ethics in art. The sole concept of art presuposes that all art is authomatically ethical, but the aim of this course is to look at ethical contradictions in artworks and art strategies. One book or author will be discussed each lesson, so it is vital that students will read actively the assigned bibliography.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. et MgA. Barbora Lungová

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Tests from the reading assignments, discussion in the seminar.

Prerequisites

Students either have to
a] have had a credit from English-Upper Intermediate Lower course held at FaVU or
b] have the FCE, CAE, or TOEFL certificate or
c] have a short interview with the course teacher Barbora LUngová who will assess whether the student is fluent enough in English to be able to actively participate on the course.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminar form: each class, students will write a test (or reflection) of the assigned reading (45 mins) and will discuss the text in group with the teacher (45 mins).

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students will be assessed on continuous basis (tests from the reading).

Course curriculum

Paul Virilio:
- Art and Fear.
- Art As Far as the Eye Can See
- Speed and Politics
- Vision Machine
Jean Baudrillard: - Consumer Culture
- Symbolic Exchange and Death
- Art and Artefact
Hans Belting: Konec dějin umění/(The End of Art History)
Arthur C. Danto: After the End of Art
Georges Duby: Věk katedrál/(The Age of Catedrals)
Jullian Stallabras: High Art Lite: The Rise and Fall of Young British Art.
John Berger: Jak se dívat na obrazy/ (Ways of Seeing)

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Students will enhance their critical and analytical ability in dealing with the issues of the role of art in contemporary society, its relationshio to the institutions, the art market, etc. They will improve both their written and oral argumentative skills - IN ENGLISH, as the whole course is held in English.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Students are allowed two absences per semester.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Alpers, S. Rembrandt's Enterprise.
Becker, H. Art Worlds.
Efland, A. D. A History of Art Education.
Enqist, Anika, et al. Work, work, work. A Reader on Art and Labor
Heiser, Jörg. All Of Sudden.
McAndrew, C. Fine Art and High Finance.
Sholette, Gregory. Dark Matter.
Zorloni, A. The Economy of Contemporary Art Market.

Type of course unit

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. et MgA. Barbora Lungová