Professor Matthew J. Brown
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Office Hours: Mon & Wed 4-5pm, JO 4.120
Description
This seminar focuses on one of the most important and influential works in aesthetics and philosophy art of the twentieth century: John Dewey’s Art as Experience. We will carefully examine the book chapter by chapter and consider it in relation to both everyday aesthetic experience as well as the practice of art.
Textbooks
John Dewey’s Art as Experience (ISBN 978-0809328208) – The preferred version of the text is the critical edition published by Southern Illinois University Press. This version contains the original illustrations, substantive introduction, and textual apparatus. We will use the pagination of that edition when we refer to the text in class. However, there are less expensive paperback editions of the book available, which you may wish to consider if $40 would be a financial burden. But note that this will come with some inconveniences.
Additional recommended texts:
- John Dewey, Experience and Nature ISBN 978-0809328116
- Thomas M. Alexander, John Dewey’s Theory of Art, Experience, and Nature: The Horizons of Feeling ISBN 978-0887064265
- Tom Leddy, “Dewey’s Aesthetics”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Larry A Hickman, Reading Dewey: Interpretations for a Postmodern Generation ISBN 978-0253211798
- David Hildebrand, Dewey: A Beginner’s Guide ISBN 978-1851685806
- Mary Jane Jacob, Dewey for Artists ISBN 978-0226580449
- Jay Martin, The Education of John Dewey ISBN 978-0231116763
Assignments
- Class preparation – Each week, you should come to class with all of the following, and be prepared to be called on to provide them:
- Passages you find powerful or interesting – mark them in your text.
- Passages you find difficult to understand – mark them as well, and take some notes about why they are difficult and different possible interpretations.
- Questions you have about the ideas or argument of the chapter as a whole – write down at least one.
- Terms and names you do not understand – look them up before class and write down some notes.
- Presentation – Connect some idea or argument in the chapter for the day to an artwork of your choice that exemplifies it. You must exhibit the artwork in some way, with appropriate A/V aids. You should plan to speak for 15-20 minutes, and your presentation should include several prompts for further discussion.
- Final paper – 3000-5000 words, on some topic within philosophy of art or the history of philosophy related to the book. (Assignment details.)
Schedule
We have 14 weeks of class, and Art as Experience has 14 chapters. We’ll work through one chapter a week. There will be no assigned readings from secondary sources, though you are welcome and encouraged to consult them. The due dates of assignments will be announced in class.
Contact Policy
I will be available to speak to you for several minutes before and after class each week. I will be fully engaged during class, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. I will be prompt to office hours each week, and will announce any cancellations well in advance. I will answer my phone during office hours unless I am with another student. I will happily make appointments before of after class, or by the website above. Generally, I will not respond to emails or phone messages. The only reason to email me would be to inform me of a genuine emergency situation before or during an exam that will prevent you from being at the exam, to remind me to do something I promised to do, such as post bonus readings, or to ask brief and urgent logistical questions.