Aims

This module focuses on key developments in the arts, with particular reference to the avant-garde, and philosophy in the twentieth century. We will consider the political potential of art and key ideas from twentieth-century continental philosophy. We will also consider the relation, and overlap, between art and philosophy.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics covered will include things such as:
-       Art and revolution
-       Dada and anti-art
-       Surrealism and unconscious
-       Transgression
-       Postmodernism
-       Spectacle
-       Marxism
-       Sound, music and technology

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce central themes in the philosophy of art and provide an introduction to basic concepts and techniques in Poststructuralism.

Seminars allow students to try out and critically engage with the themes, concepts and techniques as set out in the lectures to specific artworks.

Reading and reflecting on books and articles will take place in private study

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essays test the ability to think creatively, self-critically and independently as well as managing one’s own work to set time limits. This assessment method also gauges the students’ ability to move between generalisation and appropriately detailed discussion, and to cite relevant texts and interpret them adequately.

Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the way in which philosophers have discussed notions of the relationship between consciousness and the unconsciousness and the stakes of the technological transformation of artistic techniques for our understanding of artworks.