Reading response

Choose from one of the 3 readings below from this week. Write an essay of at least 500 words addressing the points and questions from the readings, ” The Nature of Art” by Stephanie Arnold, “Art as a Human Behavior: Toward an Ethological View of Art” by Ellen Dissanayake and “Exploring the Relationships Between Art and Culture” by McFee and Degge. Be certain to address points made by the authors particularly as they pertain to your personal experience with various art forms.

Post your essay in Discussions under: “Week 1 – Readings Response Essay”

1) From the reading, The nature of Art by Stephanie Arnold, address the variety of art forms and what the author says about how the arts are “central to

life”.

a – How do you see these points of discussion reflected in your own life?

b – What does the author say is the difficulty of defining art?

c – How do you respond from your personal experience to Susanne Langer’s statement: “Art is

the creation of forms symbolic or expressive of human feeling.”

d – How do you view art in your environment that “… deals more directly with humanity’s relations

with itself, the interactions between human beings.”? Give some examples from your personal

experience and perspective…

2) Explore the points made by Ellen Dissanayake in (“Art as a Human Behavior”). Discuss her view of art’s role in human cultural development.

a – Describe specific points made by Dissanayake and share from your perspective and cultural

background if you agree or disagree with the author. Tell us Why?

b – Choose points made by the author that have significance to you.

c – Some examples of points you may choose to address are as follows: “Art, …as a universal need

and propensity of the human species”, “Art as a behavior of making special”, and “ The species-

centered view of art.”

3) What points do McFee and Degge make with regard to the role of art in culture?

a – Describe specific points made by McFee, Degge, and share from your perspective and cultural

background if you agree or disagree with the authors. Tell us Why?

b – Choose points made by the authors that have significance to you. Some examples of points you

may choose to address are as follows: “Art as Communication”, “Defining and Evaluating

Art”, “Understanding Culture” and “Learning Culture”, “Visual Communication and Predictability?

And Art as Enhancement”, and/or “Making Culturally Relevant Art Judgments.”