arts and humanities m. cox introduction to humanities

Arts and Humanities

M. Cox

Introduction to Humanities

What are the Humanities?

• Humanities is the study of Human activity.

Humanities

• These are the broad areas of human creativity and study, essentially involved with values and generally not using scientific standards

• Humanities are subjective

• Science is objective

Humanities

• In Medieval times, the term “Humanities,” distinguished that which pertained to human from that which pertained to God

• During this time, mathematics, sciences, the Arts, and philosophy were considered humanities.

Humanities

• Theology and related subjects were dealt with divinity

• These were the study of God.

Humanities

• Today the Humanities are those broad areas of human creativity that are distinct from mathematics and the “hard,” sciences.

Five Areas of Humanities

• Visual Art

• Drama

• Music

• Dance

• Philosophy

Aesthetics

• The study of the beauty of Art

Art

• Should clarify or reveal values

• As you deepen your understanding of values, you will deepen your understanding of what art is all about.

• Taste is an exercise in values.

Art

• The arts are a subset of the Humanities.

The Arts

• The arts are non-restrictive.

• They are communicative.

• They are entertaining.

Taste

• Taste is improved by education.

• You gain appreciation by understanding the background information about a work of art.

• A sensitivity to the art form will intensify your response.

What is a work of Art?

Subject

• The part of the work that can be easily recognized

• Subject can be a person or an object

Form

• The artists unique way of using the elements, principles and media in the work.

Content

• Most important part of any work.

• The message the artist is trying to communicate.

• The content may be an idea or a theme. Ex. Patriotism, love, anger

Theories of Judging Art

Imitationalism

• Thinks art should imitate what we see in the real world.

Formalism

• Feels that the elements and principles are the most important part

Emotionalism

• Believes that the art must appeal to the viewer through their emotions.