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AESTHETICS - WESTERN (Theory) [1]

Paper Code: 
25DVAS602
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to insight about western philosophers and their theory on art. State the relationship between art, philosophy and aesthetics. Be able to appreciate and criticize a work of art on the basis of its elements and principles. Learn about aesthetics of various western art movements.  

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning Outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25DVAS602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aesthetics -  Western

(Theory)

CO33: Build up an understanding of the western aesthetics and theories of philosophers Plato and Aristotle.

 

CO34:  Discuss Middle Ages general tendencies, characteristics in the field of architecture, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, metalwork and mosaics and evaluate the theories given by Western philosophers.

 

CO35:   Explain and assess the aesthetics of Renaissance artworks in their regional, historical and cultural settings through the use of theories given by Renaissance period aestheticians.

 

CO36:  Determine and specify theories of aestheticians Benedetto Croce, Leo Tolstoy and Sigmund Freud.

 

CO37:   Summarise and interpret the aesthetics of Romanticism period and theorize Arthur Schopenhauer's sayings.

 

CO38:  Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving tasks.

Continuous Assessment Test,

Semester end examination,

Quiz, Solving Problems in Tutorials,

Assignments,

Presentation,

Individual and Group Projects.

 

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Greek Philosophers

An introduction to the Western Aesthetics. Imitative theories of Art: Utility and Morality as standard for art evaluation.

Art objects with reference to the Greek Philosophers: Plato and Aristotle. Interpretation of Imitation and Utility by Aristotle with the theory of Catharsis and pleasure of Tragedy.

 
9.00
Unit II: 
Middle Ages

Middle Ages: General tendencies and the characteristics in the field of art including architecture, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, metalwork and mosaics

9.00
Unit III: 
Renaissance Period

Conceptions of beauty in Renaissance, general trends and characteristics with reference to the developments in Literature, Sculpture, Painting and Poetry proceeding towards unified aesthetic theory of Leonardo Da Vinci, Alberti, Albert Durer Immanuel Kant, G.W.F. Hegel

9.00
Unit IV: 
Philosophies of 19th century

Social responsibilities: Benedetto Croce, Leo Tolstoy and Sigmund Freud

 
9.00
Unit V: 
Romanticism and Arthur Schopenhauer

Romanticism in painting and literature

Art as the expression of the feelings and emotions: Schopenhauer

 

 
Essential Readings: 
  1. Comparative Aesthetics -Indian & Western Aesthetics (Vol 1 & 2): Prof. Dr. Kanti [2] Chandra Pandey [2]
  2. Greek Aesthetic Theory (RLE: Plato) (Routledge Library Editions: Plato) [3] : J G [4] Warry [4]
  3. Contextualizing Aesthetics: From Plato to Lyotard [4] : H. Blocker and Jennifer Jeffers
  4. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office Varanasi by Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office Varanasi
  5. Janson’s History of Art: The Penelope J.E. Davies, Walter B. Denny Western Tradition.
  6. Art: A World History : Elke Linda Buchholz, Susanne Kaeppele
  7. What is art? by Tolstoy, Leo, graf, 1828-1910; Maude, Aylmer, 1858-1938

Suggested Readings:

  1. JOA - Journal of Arts
  2. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts
  3. Atishay Kalit- A Bilingual Research Journal of Fine Arts, Culture and Humanities
 
References: 
  1. https://archive.org/details/tpeJ_comparative-aesthetics-vol.-2-western-aestheti [5]cs-of-dr.-kanti-chandra-pandey-ser/page/n15/mode/2up
  2. file:///C:/Users/power/Downloads/mock%205-4-
  3. 2021/THE_CONCEPT_OF_IMITATION_IN_PLATO_AND_ARISTOTLE_AR.pdf
  4. HRIChl=ml&gbpv=1&dq=inauthor:%22Michael+Byron+Norris%22&printsec=frontcover
  5. http://staff.uny.ac.id/sites/default/files/pendidikan/paulus-kurnianta-spd-sfil- [6]
  6. mhum/philosophy-arts-3rd-ed.pdf
  7. https://archive.org/details/the-history-of-art-janson/page/70/mode/2up [7]
  8. https://www.theartstory [8].org/
  9. https://www.khanacademy [9].org/
  10. https://archive.org/details/history-of-art-janson/page/n5/mode/2up [10]
 
Academic Year: 
2025-2026 [11]

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Source URL: https://visualarts.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/aesthetics-western-theory-31

Links:
[1] https://visualarts.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/aesthetics-western-theory-31
[2] https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19618338.PROF_DR_KANTI_CHANDRA_PANDEY
[3] https://www.amazon.in/Greek-Aesthetic-Theory-RLE-Routledge/dp/0415751608/ref%3Dsr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=plato%2Baesthetics&qid=1604308493&s=books&sr=1-7
[4] https://www.amazon.in/Contextualizing-Aesthetics-Lyotard-H-Blocker/dp/053452821X/ref%3Dsr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=plato%2Baesthetics&qid=1604308493&s=books&sr=1-4
[5] https://archive.org/details/tpeJ_comparative-aesthetics-vol.-2-western-aestheti
[6] http://staff.uny.ac.id/sites/default/files/pendidikan/paulus-kurnianta-spd-sfil-
[7] https://archive.org/details/the-history-of-art-janson/page/70/mode/2up
[8] http://www.theartstory.org/
[9] http://www.khanacademy.org/
[10] https://archive.org/details/history-of-art-janson/page/n5/mode/2up
[11] https://visualarts.iisuniv.ac.in/academic-year/2025-2026