Special Lecture: Technology and art

Academic unit or major

Humanities and social science courses

Instructor(s)

Yakup Bektas

Class Format

Lecture

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

Class

-

Course Code

LAH.T321

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

3Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 19, 2025

Language

English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

What is technology? What is art? How do they relate to each other, conceptually and historically? Was there a time when art and craft (or technology) were one? This course explores these questions and concepts in the philosophy of Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), specifically through his two seminal essays: "The Question Concerning Technology" (1954) and "The Origin of the Work of Art" (1960). We will discuss Heidegger’s concept of modern technology, the more aggressive, uncontrollable, and ever-expanding form of traditional or old technology, its relation to concepts such as to deinon and the sublime. How can technology be both an expression of human freedom and “the supreme danger” to it? Can we experience the world without a technological frame of mind? Then, can art provide for us another mode for experiencing the world? In particular, can art provide a freer, more “original,” mode of experience than the encompassing technological mode that sees everything as Bestand or “standing reserve”? We will discuss what makes a work of art art and how one may read, as Heidegger did, Van Gogh’s “Shoes” both artistically (a work of creative genius) and technically (as a mere technological artifact).

Course description and aims

Aims: Be able to think critically and deeply about the concepts of technology and art, and their relations with each other; and discuss them lucidly with reference to Heidegger’s thought.

Keywords

Art, technology, to deinon, Bestand, creativity

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Conducted in lecture format and, when possible, in seminar format. Class participation is mandatory. Students are expected to 1) read the assigned readings prior to the class, 2) participate in classroom discussions, raise or respond to questions, and 3) write short papers.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Martin Heidegger:
1- “The Question Concerning Technology” (1949, 1954)
2- "The Origin of the Work of Art" (1960)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Will be provided later (before the class starts)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Grading will be based on class participation and writing assignments (short essays). Class participation will account for 80% of the grade, and writing assignments will account for 20%. Students are encouraged to actively engage in discussions and activities, asking or responding to questions directly in class, or indirectly through questions and comments on reaction slips. Submission of reaction slips is required each time as proof of class participation.

Related courses

• LAH.T111 ： Special Lecture: Technology and the Creative Imagination

Prerequisites

None

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

bektas.y.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

One hour after every class. Other times by appointment by email or call.