Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Psychology of Art 

CN-2448

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:

Instructor:               Shannon Whitten, Ph.D.

SuperMe.jpg

COURSE INFORMATION:

Course Description: Examine psychological perspectives on art to gain a greater understanding of the process and products of creativity.

Recommended (totally Optional) Books: 

1) Freeland, C. ISBN: But is it Art? 978-0192100559

2) Wadeson, H., Art Psychotherapy, ISBN: 0471629049 

3) Kaufman, J.C., Creativity 101, ISBN: 978-0826129529

4) Kaufman, J.C. (ed.), Creativity and Mental Illness;  ISBN: 978-1107021693 

5) Solso, R.L, Cognition and the Visual Arts, ISBN: 978-0262193467

6) Petty & Caccioppo, Communication and Persuasion: Central and Peripheral Routes to Attitude Change; ISBN: 978-1461293781

7) Clark, T. Art and Propaganda in the 20th Century. ISBN:978-0810927131

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE

*** THIS IS A SELF-PACED COURSE; THE DATES FOR BEGINNING EACH LESSON ARE SUGGESTIONS TO PACE YOURSELF ***

Week 1          

  • Lesson(s) to begin today:Lessons 0 and 1
  • Topics included in Lessons(s):Getting to know the class; What is Psychology?  

Week 2

  • Lesson(s) to begin today: Lesson 2
  • Topics included in Lessons(s): What is Art? 
  • Readings: Cynthia Freeland   

Week 3

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lesson 3
  • Topics included in Lessons(s):What is creativity? How can we determine who is creative? How can we improve creativity? What influences creativity? Can we create under pressure?
  • Readings: Kaufman

Week 4

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lesson 4
  • Topics included in Lesson 4: Do you have to be insane to create Art? 
  • Readings: Kaufman, Creativity and Madness         

Week 5

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lesson 5
  • Topics included in Lesson 5: Can art be cathartic? How can art be used in therapeutic practice?
  • Readings: Wadeson Part 1 Chapters 1-6 

Week 6

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lesson 6
  • Topics included in Lessons(s): Art and Personality: Who likes what art? Is personality or intelligence a factor? What is the role of emotion in responding to art? 
  • Readings: BBC study .pdf

Week 7

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lesson 7 
  • Topics included in Lessons 7: Perception in Art: How do our eyes and brain work together to understand art? (or, ears and brain, etc.), Art Cognition: How do our brains influence what our eyes perceive? 
  • Readings: Solso

Week 8

  • Lesson(s) to begin  today: Lessons 8
  • Topics included in Lesson 8: Art and Social Psychology: Can Art influence Society? Does society influence art?
  • Readings: Petty and Caccioppo

***** Dates for topics, assignments, and exams are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor based on the needs of this class and topic completion. Any changes will be announced in class at least one week before the change goes into effect  *****

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due