Performative Aesthetics

This course aims to provide students with an in-depth historical and critical-theoretical investigation of the main issues within aesthetics, with a special focus on performance. The proposed path will address the fundamental questions and authors of this disciplinary field, while also taking into consideration its interdisciplinary connections with other domains such as: the history of theater, the history of literature, the art history, media history and theory, psychology, anthropology, and cognitive science, in order to deepen the philosophical education of the BA students.
The students will be able to critically analyze and employ the acquired notions particularly in the professional areas of secondary school teacher, professional in the field of education and popularization, editor-in-chief of texts and images, and coordinator of cultural projects in the public and private domain.

Knowledge and understanding:
Students will acquire an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of the main theories and issues addressed within aesthetics. Notions as agency, performance and embodiment will be addressed. Along the way, students will be called on to critically compare the fundamental authors and concepts of this disciplinary field, and to develop an understanding of its methods and specialized terminology.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire the skills necessary to apply the conceptual frameworks of the major aesthetic theories to situations pertaining to aesthesiology, visual and performance studies, and performative practices, through recourse to an adequate specialized lexicon. They will be able to critically discuss the main theoretical models (of both the continental and analytic traditions) and the corresponding literature. Students will be able to securely navigate interdisciplinary study environments. They will be encouraged to propose original and stand-alone solutions to problems arising from the joint discussion.