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How are works of art like and unlike other objects in the worlds that humans inhabit and make, like and unlike other human projects? What capacities are called upon in the creation and understanding of such works? Assignments will involve extensive use of the resources of the Smith College Museum of Art.

Instructor: Malcolm Keating

Category: 2024 Spring Semester

PHI233-01: Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art

Phil 233_01: Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
Fall 2025
Instructor: Angela Curran (pronouns: she/her)
Office: Wright 222
Office Hours: In person, in Wright 222, Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30-1 pm and other times by appointment.
email: acurran24@smith.edu
Course Meeting Times: Tu and Th 9:25-10:40 am
Course Room: Hatfield 106

Course Syllabus: Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art

“The experience of art is a manifestation of human freedom, enabling individuals to express their uniqueness and engage with the world in meaningful ways, ” Hannah Arendt

“The function of art [experience] has always been to break through the crust of conventionalized and routine consciousness.” John Dewey

The central goal of the course is to introduce you to some of the puzzles and problems that philosophers have considered when they think about art. After going through the course, you will have learned a new way to think about art. You will also learn about philosophical thinking and see how examining art can teach us more about the nature of philosophy.

We investigate several central questions in aesthetics and the philosophy of art:
1). The Definition of Art: can art be defined? Could anything, including a pile of bricks, be art?
2) The Experience of Art: What is the nature of our experience of art? Is there something unique or valuable about our experience of art that sets it apart from our experience of everyday experiences?
3) Is intention relevant for interpreting a work of art?
4). How can we feel genuine emotions towards fiction when we know the characters are not real?
4) Are art and morality independent?

We will use many examples of artworks of various kinds (paintings, film, literature, music, and so on) as we discuss the ideas in the readings. You are also encouraged to bring in examples of artworks you would like to discuss about the readings. In addition, we will make use of the Smith College Museum of art throughout the semester.

You do not need to have taken philosophy to enjoy and do well in this class. But you do need to commit to learning the tools of philosophy, which we will introduce the first few weeks of the class, especially logical reasoning and evaluating arguments.

Instructor: Angela Curran

Category: 2025 Fall Semester

PHY210-01/02: Mathematical Methods of Physical Sciences and Engineering

Link to PHY 210 Discussion Forum

Instructor: Nathanael Fortune

Category: 2025 Spring Semester

PSY400- 07: SP ST:SMITH HOUSE STEREOTYPES

Instructor: Randi Garcia

Category: Fall 2017-2018

PSY400-05: Sp St: Smith Psy Centennial

Instructor: MJ Wraga

Category: 2022 Fall Semester

PSY400-09: Sp St: Smith Daltonism Exper

Instructor: MJ Wraga

Category: 2022 Fall Semester

RES221-01: Intermediate Russian I

Russian II

Ruth Averbach

raverbach@smith.edu

Pierce Hall, Room 104

Course Description

The first half of a two-semester sequence. Students practice all four language modalities: reading, listening, writing and speaking. The course incorporates a variety of activities that are based on a range of topics, text types and different socio-cultural situations. Authentic texts (poems, short stories, TV programs, films, songs and articles) are used to create the context for reviewing and expanding on grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Prerequisite: RES 100Y or equivalent.

Grading Rubric

Attendance and Participation – 35%

Assignments – 35%

Quizzes – 10%

Exams – 20%

Course Expectations

It is essential for students to complete assigned readings, attend course meetings, and contribute to class discussions. Feel welcome to use electronic devices, but do not let them distract others or yourself from the lesson. Please let Ruth know as soon as possible if you are ill or must miss class for any reason.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to uphold all Smith College policies on academic integrity. AI is only acceptable for proofreading for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. All outside sources used in written assignments must be cited properly.

Accommodations

If you need any accommodations to participate in and complete the course, please contact the Accessibility Resource Center (College Hall 104; arc@smith.edu; 413-585-2071) and let Ruth know how she can best serve your needs.

Course Schedule

Week II

M – Chapter I, Part I

HW due: practice vocab on p. 2-4, read texts on p. 7, 11

In class: Reading practice, questions to texts

W – Chapter I

HW due: #5, p. 8-9

In class: Grammar review

F – Chapter I

HW due: write short composition on family

In class: NO CLASS, RUTH AT CONFERENCE;

Week III