Learning outcomes

The course intends to deepen the conceptual, methodological and cultural instruments necessary in order to analyse and interpret a art works. The course also aims at the understanding of the logics and the conceptual structures and at the capacity to use a precise and adequate language; thus, it intends to make the students acquire the competences to form autonomously a critical judgement and to express it adequately.

Program

Nothing is funnier than unhappiness, nothing is more grotesque than the tragic. Philosophical logic and artistic experience: Samuel Beckett – art music theatre

1. During the course we intend to investigate the relationships, especially the conflicting ones, between logic - formal, analytical, but also dialectic - and artistic experience that then leads to creation. In this sense, some works by Samuel Beckett will be analysed. We will begin with the juvenile essay on Proust in which not only a profound critique of logic is elaborated, but also the relationships between the concepts of voluntary memory and involuntary memory, intellect and sensitive perception, time, habit and death.
2. Subsequently, some ways in which these elaborations are translated into theatrical compositional procedures will be examined. Thus we will read and comment Waiting for Godot, as regards the grotesque of the tragic, and then Endgame, as regards the funny aspects of unhappiness. In addition, the artistic aspects (in the sense of the figurative arts) and music in the theatrical style of Beckett will be underlined.
3. These last aspects also connect the course to some theatrical and musical events that will take place at the same time in Milan (we intend to organize tickets at a reduced cost and travel to attend some of the events between October and November): The first presentation of the new work of György Kurtág, Samuel Beckett: Fin de partie. Scènes et monologues. Opéra en un acte, on commission of the Teatro alla Scala, the mise en scène of Endgame with Glauco Mauri (production of the Piccolo Teatro) and some concerts of the Milano Musica Festival which this year bears the title György Kurtág. Ascoltando Beckett.

At the terms of the examination, however, the bibliography indicated below is used.

Prior knowledge and skills: It is convenient that the student has taken the Aesthetic exam during the Bachelor Degree Course; otherwise it is advisable to study an Introduction to the subject, for example: Markus Ophälders, Filosofia Arte Estetica, Mimesis, Milano 2008.

Literature:

- S. Beckett, Aspettando Godot, in: Id, Teatro completo, Einaudi-Gallimard, Torino 1994, pp. 1 – 83.
- Id, Finale di partita, in Id, Teatro completo, cit., pp. 85 – 131.
- Id, Proust, a cura di P. Pagliano, SE, Milano 2004.
- T. W. Adorno, Tentativo di capire il Finale di partita, in: Id., Note per la letteratura, Einaudi, Torino 1979 e sgg., pp. 267-308 .
- N. Pasqualicchio, Il sarto gnostico, Ombre corte, Verona 2006.
- M. Ophälders, A che punto siamo della notte?, in: Id, Labirinti, Mimesis, Milano 2008, pp. 11 – 22.
- Id, “Pensa, porco (pausa …)”. La filosofia sul palcoscenico di Samuel Beckett, in: La filosofia a teatro, a cura di A. Costazza, Cisalpino, Milano 2010, pp. 263 – 283.
- Id, Sarà una risata che vi seppellirà, in: L’utopia alla prova dell’umorismo, a cura di Rosalba Maletta, Mimesis, Milano 2018 (forthcoming).

DIDACTIC MODES

The didactic methods adopted are not distinct between attending and non-attending students. They consist of frontal lessons and collective discussions devoted to the transmission and critical examination of concepts and structures of thinking and reflection and their respective application tools to implement theoretical notions in the direction of autonomous critical judgment.
Throughout the academic year, the teacher also holds a regular individual Reception at the times indicated on his page (without having to set a specific appointment). However, it is recommended that you consult the messages to be informed of any changes. During the first lesson, attending students will receive the full lesson schedule with the dates and topics discussed. Information on timetables and classrooms is also provided.
The content of books and lessons is adhering to the program.

Examination Methods

ASSESSMENT METHODS AND CRITERIA

The assessment of the learning outcomes involves an oral test, during which the issues discussed during the course and studied in the texts will be developed. The exam aims at ensuring knowledge of the topics under discussion and the ability to apply the concepts and logical methodologies to the various issues proposed.

This indivisible oral test is about the whole program; it consists of an interview with the teacher and tries to verify:
- the depth and breadth of the knowledge gained;
- the property of language;
- the ability to systematically connect knowledge;
- analytical and argumentative ability.

The vote is expressed in marks from 18 to 30/30.

ERASMUS students are requested to contact the teacher at the beginning of the courses to agree together the teaching methods and the assessment tests.