PHILOSOPHY 136 — CSUS

PHILOSOPHY OF ART, SECTION 1 (GE Area C1)

Professor: Dr. Mathias Warnes Fall 2021—Class Number 81346

Email: mathias.warnes@csus.edu Class Meets on Canvas and Zoom (Tuesdays 12:00-1:15pm)
Office Hours: T/Th 2:00pm-4:00pm by Zoom. Course Materials at: mathiaswarnes.com and Canvas

Catalog Description: Inquiry into the nature of art, beauty, and criticism, with critical
consideration of representative theories. This course fulfills G.E. Area C1.

Course Modality: This course is being taught asynchronously, but has a synchronous extra
credit component (see Canvas Zoom schedule and instructions). Zoom Link for Meetings
and Office Hours: https://csus.zoom.us/j/6793771249, or meeting ID 679-3771-249.
Note: Webcam during Zoom sessions or office hours is encouraged but not required.

Section Description: In this section, we will interpret philosophical theories of art, beauty, and
creative by philosophers across the history of Western philosophy, including, but not limited
to, writings related to art and aesthetics by Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Aquinas, Burke, Kant,
Schelling, Novalis, Kleist, Nietzsche, Valéry, Rilke, Heidegger, Jung, Benjamin, Marcuse,
Danto, as well as contemporary thinkers such as Anzaldúa, Lamothe, Iain Thomson, Cornel
West, and others. Students will also gain exposure to the history of Western art, especially in
regards to fine arts: painting, dance, literature, theater, sculpture, architecture, and music.

Student Learning Objectives: By the completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Identify, and explain the various philosophical approaches to art and beauty.
2. Distinguish objectivity from subjectivity, and explain the role of perspective in aesthetic value.
3. Analyze and evaluate art as a creative process, a cognitive process, an emotive process, and a
social process.
4. Recognize, analyze, and evaluate art and beauty in relation to other sources of value, including
ethical, epistemic, social/political, and personal value.
5. Apply philosophical methods to examine objects and artifacts for their aesthetic value.
6. Read and comprehend key texts in aesthetics from historical and contemporary sources.
7. Write cogent and clear philosophical analyses of various issues and questions in aesthetics.

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

 GE AREA C1 LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students who complete a GE Area C1 course should be able to:

1. Think conceptually and critically about medium, performance or presentation, and production
for at least one art form;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of artistic production, aesthetic properties, and the way creative work
is shaped by artistic and cultural forces;
3. Have an acquaintance with a broad understanding of artistic forms, genres, and cultural
sources;
4. Be able to develop and defend informed judgments about creative work;
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the conventions of at least one of the disciplines in the arts.

Required Text:

1. Tanke, Joseph & McQuillan, Colin. The Bloomsbury Anthology of Aesthetics. London:
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN: 9781441138262.
3. Coursepack available in PDF at “Course Materials” at mathiaswarnes.com, and on Canvas.

Grade Breakdown:

Reading Responses 30% Creative Experiment & Project 10%

Midterm Exam 15% Final Exam 15%

Discussion 20% Presentation 10%

Reading Responses:

Reading Responses (6 x 5% = 30%): Reading Responses must cover one assigned reading
for the current week, or immediately preceding week. A Reading Response Rubric is available at
mathiaswarnes.com, and on Canvas. Check Canvas for more specific instructions for each RR.
Late RR’s are accepted for half credit. Length requirements are strict. RR’s must be between 2-3
pages of text, 1.5- or double-spaced typed, 12 pt. font with standard margins. An RR that
ends half way down Pg. 2 does not meet the length requirements, and is only 1.5 pages of text.
Between the lesson, reading & writing expect to spend 3-4 hours per Reading Response.

Presentation (10%): Each student is expected prepare a power-point presentation (8-12

slides). In the case of group presentations, this length requirement is per student. Presentation
weeks will be assigned within Canvas, and should be considered as set in stone unless you
have a good reason for needing to reschedule. Students are encouraged to produce live
recorded presentations, but this is not required. Presenters must upload their PPT or PDF
into the designated Student Presentation Forum on Canvas, along with accompanying notes or
summaries for each slide. Each student must also upload their presentation and materials in
the Student Presentation Upload Link to receive a grade. What can your presentation be on? The
list of possible figures and topics you can explore is as huge as the field of philosophy of art.
But there are two basic types of presentations: 1. Presentations on artists or art-works in any
medium or genre from across the global history of art; 2. Presentations on the aesthetic
theories of specific philosophers, or inter-disciplinary scholars on art and artists. The former
should not resemble an art history presentation, it is a philosophy of art presentation. This means

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

finding secondary sources on your chosen artist or art-work within the discipline of aesthetics,
or critical and literary theory. For the purposes of this presentation type, artists or art-works
count as primary sources, and scholarly readings count as the secondary sources. For straight
philosophy of art presentation, the primary sources would be a philosopher’s writing, and
secondary sources, writings by scholars in their reception or applying their work. In both types
of presentation, tertiary sources such as Wikipedia or webpage entries should barely be used,
and biographical information kept to a minimum. See the Sign-Up Forum on Canvas for more
instructions and info, and the Presentation Rubric on Canvas and at mathiaswarnes.com.

Discussion (20%): The discussion portion of your grade is significant and designed to keep
each student active and responsible for their learning process in our virtual environment.
There are two components: 1. Discussion Forums (15%); 2. Student Presentation Forums (5%).

1. Discussion Forums (15%): There will be 10 Discussion Forums on Canvas in sync with our
weekly modules, and worth 1.5% each. See instructions in each Discussion Forum. In general,
a satisfactory DF contribution will include 2 paragraphs of minimum 8 lines each on two
assigned materials, as well as one substantive reply to a student peer of minimum 4 lines.
Lastly, Discussion Forums will only earn full credit if they show evidence of having engaged
the assigned reading with the relevant uploaded lecture by the professor for that reading.

2. Student Presentation Forums (5%): Each student is responsible for commenting on 1 student
presentation each week that there are presenters (10 X .5%). A satisfactory comment must be
at least 4-6 lines of text, and contain one well-formulated question. Presenters are responsible
for answering at least one student question before Sunday at 11:59pm the week they present.

Extra Credit (+10%): It is possible to still earn an A or B in the class with some missed low
or medium-weight assignments, but only if you complete the extra credit instead. Keep track!
1. Extra Credit Zoom Discussions/Attendance Forums (5%): This synchronous component of our
course is designed to: 1. boost class morale; 2. help us get to know each other; 3. provide live
learning options for students who prefer learning that way. Our class will have 10 scheduled
Zooms always on Thursdays from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Students are encouraged to attend all 10.
Mere attendance will be worth .25% of the Zoom for that week, but the full .5% will only be
awarded to students who pose a content-based question or follow-up in the associated forum.
2. AP Forums (5%): AP Forums will give students the opportunity to discuss various aspects of
the modules not otherwise covered in detail, and are worth .5% each (5% extra credit total).

Novalis Experiment (5%): The Novalis Experiment is a fun activity involving your own
creative-aesthetic appreciation, and exploration of aesthetic receptivity and synesthesia in
multiple art-forms (music, film, poetry, décor, etc.). Instructions will be given in Canvas.

Creative Project (5%): Each semester in this class there have been art history, studio art
majors, and people with creative hobbies, as well as students who don’t consider themselves the
creative type. The Novalis experiment is an aesthetic appreciation exercise, so everyone can be
expected to do it. But to be fair to everyone’s background and level of comfortability in doing
creative work, I allow the Creative Project to be substituted with the Art and Artists in Film
assignment. I look forward to brainstorming your ideas for this project by Zoom or over email!

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

Midterm & Final Exam (15%/15%): Exams are summative assessments designed to test
knowledge of core curricula. Midterm & Final Exam will consist of 8 of over 20 short answer
questions (80%), and 1 short essay (20%). The key factor for success is using course materials
and your own words to answer questions and craft responses, never google.com! Good luck!

TURNITIN ORIGINALITY VERIFICATION: Consistent with Sacramento State’s efforts

to enhance student learning, foster honesty, and maintain integrity in our academic processes,
this course uses a tool called Turnitin to compare a student’s work with an extensive database
of prior publications and papers, providing links to possible matches and a ‘similarity score’.
Reading Responses, Presentation, Midterm & Final will be checked using this tool. Originality scores
from Turnitin are definitive of a student’s compliance with Academic Honesty requirements.

PHIL 136 – Philosophy of Art: Course Schedule

READING SCHEDULE: The lectures and lesson-plans will cover an extensive array of
materials relevant to the study of philosophy of art. However, don’t get overwhelmed. Students
are only responsible for reading materials that pertain to assignments, and there are often options,
which will also be reflected on exams. This means that you may have choices as to what catches
your interests and what you end up reading week to week. The lectures will give you an overview
of readings in a given week which can guide you in deciding what to focus on for assignments.

Week One Aug 30-Sep 3

1. Ancient 1. Tanke & McQuillan, “Ancient Aesthetics”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 1-4

Aesthetics 2. Plato on Inspiration, “Ion,” Coursepack, p. 1-14
3. Ribeiro, “Introduction”, Continuum Companion to Aesthetics, Coursepack, p. 15-28
4. Hick, “Chronology of Works in Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art”, Continuum
Companion to Aesthetics, Coursepack, p. 29-55

Week Two Sep 6-10

1. Plato on the Poets, Republic, Books II, III, & X, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 1-39
2. Critchley, Selections on Plato’s Republic, Books II, III, & X from Tragedy, the
Greeks, and Us, Coursepack, p. 56-80
3. Agamben, “The Supreme Music: Music and Politics” from What is Philosophy?,
Coursepack, p. 82-92
4. Plato, Socrates’s Great Speech on Beauty, and Diotima of Mantinea on Love
and Art, Phaedrus and Symposium, Coursepack, p. 93-134

Week Three Sep 13-17

1. Aristotle on Tragedy, The Poetics, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 40-54

2. Critchley, Selections on Aristotle’s Poetics from Tragedy, the Greeks, and Us,
Coursepack, p. 135-148

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

 3. Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet & “Letters on Art”, Coursepack, p. 149-181

Week Four Sep 20-24 (Sep 27 is Census Date)

2. Late Antique, 1. Tanke and McQuillan, Overview of Neoplatonic and Medieval Aesthetics, &
Medieval, Transition to Modern Aesthetics, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 71-82, 97-100
Modern, Classical, 2. Burke, “A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime
Romantic, & and Beautiful,” Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 163-185
Idealist Aesthetics

Week Five Sep 27-Oct 1

1. Kant on Beauty, “Critique of Judgment,” Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 237-65

2. Kant on Sublimity and Genius, “Critique of Judgment,” Anthology of Aesthetics,
p. 266-85

Week Six Oct 4-8

1. Schiller & Novalis, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 285-299, 311-315, & Coursepack, p.

182-188
2. Hölderlin, “The Oldest System-Program of German Idealism” & “Hyperion”,
Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 300-301, & Coursepack, p. 189-199
3. Schelling, “Philosophy of Art”, “Introduction,” Coursepack, p. 200-217

Week Seven Oct 11-15

1. Hegel, “Lectures on the Philosophy of Art”, p. 316-330

2. Safranski, “Preface” and “Become Who You Are” from Goethe: Life as a Work
of Art, p. 218-231
3. Goethe, Selections from Maxims and Reflections, Coursepack, p. 232-273
4. Schlegel, “Dialogue on Poetry”, Coursepack, p. 274-289

Week Eight Oct 18-22

3. Nietzsche’s and 1. Kleist, “On the Marionette Theater,” & de Man, “Aesthetic Formalization:
Heidegger’s Kleist’s Über das Marionettentheater”, Coursepack, p. 290-325
Reflections on 2. Nietzsche, “The Birth of Tragedy,” Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 346-66
Aesthetics & Art 3. Lamothe, “Reading Nietzsche’s Images of Dance” and “A Dionysian Artist”
(Isadora Duncan), Coursepack, p. 326-365

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

Week Nine Oct 25-29

1. Came, “Introduction” from Nietzsche on Art and Life, Coursepack, p. 366-378

2. Selections from Nietzsche’s Middle to Later Writings on Art and Aesthetics,
Coursepack, p. 379-461
3. Heidegger on Nietzsche’s Aesthetics, Coursepack, p. 462-535

Week Ten Nov 1-5

1. Heidegger, “The Origin of the Work of Art”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 376-402

2. Thomson, “Heidegger’s Critique of Modern Aesthetics”, & “Heidegger’s
Postmodern Understanding of Art”, Coursepack, p. 536-617

Week Eleven Nov 8-12

4. Symbolist, 1. Calasso, “The Pagan School”, Coursepack, p. 618-632

Feminist, 2. Baudelaire, “The Dandy”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 373-376
Chicanx, and 3. Baudelaire, “The Heroism of Modern Life”, Coursepack, p. 633-634
Jungian Aesthetics 4. Valéry, “The Idea of Art”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 408-413, and “The Art of
Poetry”, Coursepack, p. 635-643

Week Twelve Nov 15-19

1. Battersby, “Gender and Genius (The Clouded Mirror)”, Anthology of Aesthetics,

p. 559-570
2. Anzaldúa, “Invoking Art”, “Gestures of the Body”, & “Border Arte”, “Putting
Coyolxauhqui Together: A Creative Process”, Coursepack, p. 644-699
3. Jung, “On the Relation of Analytical Psychology to Poetry”, Coursepack, p. 700-
725

Week Thirteen Nov 22-26

5. Critical Theory, 1. Benjamin, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,”
Historicist, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 414-429
Postmodernist, 2. Marcuse, “The Aesthetic Dimension”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 442-451
Absurdist, 3. Adorno, “Art, Society, Aesthetics”, Coursepack, p. 726-741
& More 4. Danto, “Three Decades after the End of Art”, Anthology of Aesthetics, p. 543-
Theories of Art 552

Week Fourteen Nov 29-Dec 3

1. Wind, “Art and Anarchy” from 1960 Reith Lectures, Coursepack, p. 742-748

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

 2. Camus, “Create Dangerously”, Coursepack, p. 749-766
3. Cornel West, “The New Cultural Politics of Difference”, Anthology of Aesthetics,
p. 514-530

Week Fifteen Dec 6-10

Course Review and Catch-Up Week

Close Date for All Open Items: Sunday, Dec 12th, 11:59pm

Finals Week Dec 13-17

Final Essay and Final Exam Due: Weds, Dec 15th by 11:59pm

Administrative Matters

Grading Policy: A student’s grade for this course must be based upon mastery of course
content. A student’s grade cannot be based upon mere attendance, extraneous extra-credit,
scholarship, financial aid needs, or other special pleading. It is important that students examine the
syllabus and plan appropriately to achieve the grade they desire. I will be happy to meet with you
over Zoom to discuss how best to achieve your target grade. This class uses standard grading.
Please be aware of the significance of the grades. Grading Scale: A= 100%-93%, A-=92-90%
B+= 89%=87% B= 86%-83% B-= 82%-80% C+= 79%-77% C= 76%-73% C-= 72%-70% D=
69%-60% F= 59% or less. “A” designates exemplary work, an example of what all students
should do. “B” designates good work. Some students seem to believe that “B” means bad work.
This is not the case. “B” signifies that the student has done good work. “C” means that the
student has done average or mediocre work. “D” signifies poor work. “F” signifies that the
student has not worked enough to receive course credit.

Note on Grading Policy: Course assignments (late work, due dates) will be adjusted so as not to
penalize students who become ill or are placed under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Late work for good cause such as medical or family emergencies, including COVID-19 related
reasons like illness or quarantine, may be excused on a case-by case basis, typically with advance
written notice and appropriate documentation.

Reasonable Accommodation: Any student with a documented disability who requires assistance
or academic accommodations should contact the Office of Services for Students With Disabilities
(SSWD) (Lassen Hall 1008) to discuss eligibility. An appointment can be made by calling 916-278-
6955 (Phone) 916-278-7239 (TDD). You may also contact them by email: sswd@csus.edu. For a
complete listing of their services visit the SSWD website at: http://www.csus.edu/sswd/. Please
inform the professor of any necessary accommodations.

Plagiarism and Honesty in Academic Work: You are responsible for familiarizing yourselves
with the CSUS policy regarding academic honesty. This link is very helpful:

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

https://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/stu-0100.htm. It is crucial to know that plagiarism and
cheating are serious ethical violations and have serious consequences. For starters, all suspected
incidents of academic dishonesty require a private Zoom meeting to be scheduled with your
instructor, and if the instructor considers academic dishonesty to be evidenced, must be reported
to the Office of Student Conduct. Academic Dishonesty reports may be submitted with a request
by the faculty for no further discipline. That request will [only] be followed if the student has no
other reports. Violations of standards of academic honesty include but are not limited to the
following: 1. Receiving or providing assistance on an examination or assignment unless the
instructor authorizes such assistance; 2. Using materials other than those permitted by the instructor
during an examination; 3. Plagiarizing: failure to indicate the source of borrowed words and ideas.
Plagiarism defined: Simply stated, plagiarism is “the taking of others’ words or thoughts without due
acknowledgment.”1 This definition applies to both printed, online, & unpublished material. That is,
students must acknowledge, through the appropriate forms of citations, any borrowed ideas or
phrases, and all direct quotations if more than three or four words. They also must not submit work
that has been written, revised, or edited, in part or in whole, by another. Finally, work submitted for
class credit in more than one course is considered plagiarized. I assign a “0” for all plagiarized work,
I am required by CSUS to report plagiarism to Academic Advising, who may contact you. For first
offences, you may or may not, after a discussion, be allowed to resubmit the assignment.

Etiquette/Netiquette: All students are expected to maintain professional and courteous conduct
in the virtual environment at all times. I expect an atmosphere of solicitous attention and respect
for the instructor and for other students’ expressions and opinions, and a consistently objective
and empathetic response to the material we study together, especially as regards expressed
differences of personal identity, spirituality, ethnicity, values, or culture, and especially during
online discussions of religion, race, gender, class, ability, and other topics. Observing these
guidelines will ensure a better learning experience for all. You may call me Mathias, or Dr. Warnes,
or Professor Warnes, or Prof (just no "Warnes"!). My pronouns are He, His, Him. LGBTQI,
Africana/Diasporic, Feminist, ChicanX perspectives are welcome and appreciated! Your
etiquette/netiquette is expected at all times to contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture
consistent with the Hornet Honor Code: https://www.csus.edu/student-
affairs/_internal/_documents/hornet-honor-code.pdf

Tech Requirements: 1. Canvas: Most versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari,
support the use of Canvas. To view specific Operating System and Browser compatibility with
Canvas, please refer to: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10720; 2. Zoom: You can
download Zoom and find more information about using Zoom here:
https://www.csus.edu/information-resources-technology/zoom/student-resources.html; 3.
PowerPoint: If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you can download it for free here (scroll
down to PowerPoint and click on “Access Online or Download from Office365”):
https://www.csus.edu/information-resources-technology/software-catalog/#business-
productivity; 4. If you experience difficulties with your computer or connecting to the campus
networks please contact the Information Resource Technology (IRT) Service Desk by e-mail:
servicedesk@csus.edu or phone (916) 278-7337; 5. For information about their complete services
visit: http://www.csus.edu/irt/ServiceDesk/

Tech Support: If you need technical assistance, including with devices or WiFi access, here are
some helpful links for the Information Resources and Technology office: 1. During the Covid-19

1 Frederick Crewes, The Random House Handbook, 3rd ed. New York: Random House, 1980 (p. 405).

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)

campus closure, laptops can be checked out for long-term, remote use, as specified here:
https://www.csus.edu/information-resources-technology/teaching-learning/laptop-
checkout.html; 2. Other assistance, such as information on WiFi Access, can be found here:
https://www.csus.edu/information-resources-technology/remote-learning/

Student Health & Counseling Services: Student Health and Counseling Services staff are
available for virtual and in-person services. During this public health crisis and extended period of
limited physical or social interaction, if you need counseling or other physical or mental health
services, you should not hesitate to reach out to the Student Health and Counseling center. For
helpful information and access to their services visit their website at:
https://www.csus.edu/student-life/health-counseling/

Health & Safety Information: 1. If you are sick, stay home and do not attend class. Notify your
instructor. Please self-diagnose if you are experiencing any COVID- like symptoms (fever, cough,
sore throat, muscle aches, loss of smell or taste, nausea, diarrhea, or headache) or have had
exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID contact Student Health & Counseling
Services (SHCS) at 916-278-6461 to receive guidance and/or medical care. You are asked to report
any possible COVID related illnesses/exposures to SHCS via this link COVID-19
Illness/Exposure Report Form. Expect a call from SHCS within 24 hours. The CDC provides a
good source of information regarding COVID-19 and a way to self-check symptoms:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Free Help: For free help with writing please contact the University Reading and Writing Center in
Calaveras 128. The Writing Center can help you at any stage of your reading/writing process:
coming up with a topic, developing, or organizing a draft, understanding texts, or developing
strategies to become a better editor. To make an appointment visit the Reading and Writing Center in
CLV 128. For Writing Center hours and more information, visit the website at:
https://www.csus.edu/undergraduate-studies/writing-program/reading-writing-center.html

Basic Needs Support: If you are experiencing challenges in the area of food and/or stable
housing, help is just a click, email or phone call away! Sacramento State offers basic needs support
for students who are experiencing challenges in these areas Please visit the CARES website to
learn more about your options and resources available: https://www.csus.edu/student-
affairs/crisis-assistance-resource-education-support/

Other University Support and Services: 1. Academic Advising: https://www.csus.edu/student-

life/academic-advising/ ; 2. Dreamer Resource Center: https://www.csus.edu/student-
affairs/centers-programs/dreamer-resource-center/ ; 3. Martin Luther King Center:
https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/centers-programs/mlk-scholars/ ; 4. Multicultural Center:
https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/centers-programs/diversity-inclusion/multicultural-
center.html ; 5. Peer and Academic Resource Center: https://www.csus.edu/student-
affairs/centers-programs/peer-academic-resource/ ; 6. Reading and Writing Center:
https://www.csus.edu/undergraduate-studies/writing-program/reading-writing-center.html ; 7.
Student Success Center: https://www.csus.edu/college/health-human-services/student-success/

Course Syllabus (PHIL 136: Philosophy of Art)