Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - SA 317 D100

Sociology of Art Forms (S) (4)

Class Number: 2624

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Gary Teeple
    teeple@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4734
    Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 – 10:20 or by appointment.

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course may focus variously on one or all of the following: the social origins and functions of art, sociological theories of aesthetics, and contemporary issues in art, such as the fate of art in modern society, popular culture, mass media, ideology in art. Students with credit for SA 416 are not eligible to take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Everywhere and through most of our history humans have expressed themselves in art forms. Is artistic expression, therefore, intrinsic to human nature?  Is art necessary? Is there a single abstract significance to all art forms? The consideration of these questions is the principal task of this course. We shall pursue it mainly through an examination of the aesthetic theories of Hegel and, secondarily, through those of Marx, and then in selected contemporary theories. 

Within the framework of these theories, we shall examine several other questions, which may include the origin and development of art, other theories of art, the fate of art in modern society, the meaning of postmodernism, the feminist critique, and so on. These questions will be considered in the last third of the course, which is a review of the developments of modern art, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The heart of the first part of the course is the study of the aesthetic theory of Hegel. Because so much of modern and post-modern analysis of art begins with or rests on Hegel, at least implicitly, this emphasis is easily justified. An understanding of Hegel on art is the first aim of the course.

After Hegel, the work of Marx or Marxists on aesthetics has been singularly important in the history of art, either as a ‘debate with his ghost’ or as the eminence grise behind many theories. The understanding of how Marx or his approach further developed the appreciation of art is our second objective. Here we shall try to uncover certain analytical tools for grasping the social basis and significance of art.

Third, we shall employ these analytical concepts to examine elements of the development of modern art, post-modernism, and, as time permits, other contemporary themes and issues.

The course will provide the student with:

  1. a broad grasp of key aesthetic theories,
  2. a critical analysis of contemporary theories,
  3. an understanding of the many shifts in the development of modern art,
  4. an appreciation of the power and potential of the uses of art.

Grading

  • Analysis of a work of art 30%
  • Weekly study notes 20%
  • Essay 50%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The undergraduate course grading system is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

 All available on Canvas

  1. H. Paolucci (ed. & trans.) Hegel: On the Arts

  1. W. T. Stace, The Philosophy of Hegel, (pp. 439-483)

  1. A. S. Vazquez, Art and Society

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.