Learning objectives
The course has an institutional character. After a couple of teaching units devoted to an introduction to the discipline, the lectures will be devoted to one of the greatest classical text of the History of Aesthetics, the Poetics of Aristotle.
Prerequisites
The students need to have a preparation in basic philosophy that allows them to access specific vocabulary and to cope with reading Aristotle.
Course unit content
The course has an institutional character. After a couple of teaching units devoted to an introduction to the discipline, the lectures will be devoted to one of the greatest classical text of the History of Aesthetics, the Poetics of Aristotle.
Full programme
The course is formed of teaching units:
- The first teaching unit is devoted to the question of the specification of the aesthetic in relation to philosophical reflection; the method of research and subjects of choice will be highlighted;
- The second teaching unit is devoted to the origin of the aesthetic in regard to the historical-philosophical and theoretical question;
- The third teaching unit is devoted to comments on the most important philosophical passages in Aristotle’s Poetry; we will try to show the link between the theoretical-fundamental (the recognition of the mimesis of that principle) and descriptive level (the structure of the work, the means of the use); we will also try to show the importance of Poetry be it for the History of the Aesthetic or for the History of writing about different forms of art.
- The fourth and final teaching unit is devoted to the continuity between Poetry and the Third book of
Rhetoric regarding the important question of expression.
Bibliography
The Poetics and the third book of Rhetoric. An introduction manual to Aesthetics. An introduction manual to ancient Aesthetics.
Teaching methods
The main lectures are primarily devoted to reading and commenting on texts. Sufficient space is allowed for student participation which will be encouraged through a direct involvement in the lectures.
Assessment methods and criteria
There will be two types of testing: one written and the other oral. There will be a lesson at the end of the course dedicated to the written test.
Other information
Throughout the course slides will be projected which will help to focalise the students’ learning on the key points of the lecture.
