PSY 416 Psychology of Art
Full Course Title:
Psychology of Art
PsihologijaUmjetnosti
Course Code:
Course Level/BiH cycle:
ECTS credit value:
PSY 416
I Study Cycle of Psychology
6
Student work-load:
For the whole semester:
Length:
Faculty/School/Department:
Lectures
Project
Individual
learning
TOTAL
45
40
65
150
one semester
FASS;
Psychology Program
Course leader:
Doc. dr. Bisera Mavric
Contact details:
Office:
e-mail:
Office hours:
Phone:
Site:
Lectures: IUS main campus building –F 2.13
Host Study Program:
Psychology Program
Course status:
Elective course
Pre-requisites:
NON
Access restrictions:
NON
Assessment:
Date validated:
Course aims:
Quizzes, Exams, presentations, essays, projects
July 2012
To enable students

to develop the ability to effectively use the study of psychology
and visual perception to gain a greater understanding and
appreciation of the visual arts.

to develop an comprehensive and integrative approach to psychology
of art

to comprehend how psychology, the science of behavior and
experience, is used to illuminate the process of creating and/or
experiencing art, and then apply that understanding to both the
analysis of art and other human experiences

Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:





Indicative syllabus content:
to understand a number of psychological theories both
current and historical across multiple domains.
understand and effectively deal with the contradictory nature of
the issues involved in assigning meaning to what we perceive,
apply some guiding psychological and perceptual principles to
interpret and explain art,
employ one’s ever increasing awareness of perceptual processes
to more fully realize the capacity to perceive,
analyze visual perception from the perspective of it being a
process of reality construction,
understand that vision is not simply the passive mechanical
recording of individual elements, but rather the active
apprehension of significant structural patterns.
This course explores key psychological processes involved in creating and
experiencing art. It will take an interdisciplinary approach and explore what
draws us to the aesthetics of painting, sculpture and architecture. It will expose
students to a number of psychological theories both current and historical
across multiple domains. These interpretations will include readings from
psychoanalysis, personality development, cognitive psychology, social
psychology, biopsychology and cultural psychology.
Learning delivery:
Teaching occurs via lectures, seminars and tutorials, individual and team- work
in-class activities
Assessment Rationale:
In order to provide solid undergraduate foundation in Psychology program
and to enable students to develop a critical and evaluative understanding of
personality psychology, students are expected to demonstrate commitment and
diligence at any time whichever module they take, therefore appropriate
assessment methods to help students to stay focused and active, and fully
benefit from the Program include interim exam, final exam, case study
analysis, quiz .
Assessment Weighting:

Interim exam 25%,(per each)

Other assessment (presentations, essays, project) 20%

Essential Reading:
Recommended readings:
Final exam 30%
Arnheim, R. (1986). New Essays on the Psychology of Art. University of
California Press, Berkeley, CA
Parsons, M. J. (1987). How we understand art: A cognitive developmental
account of aesthetic experience. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Solso, R. L. (1994). Cognition and the visual arts. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Zeki, S. (2000). Inner Vision: An Exploration of Art and the Brain. Oxford
University Press, New York, NY.
Woods-Marsden, J. (1998). Renaissance Self-Portraiture: The Visual
Construction of Identity and the Social Status of the Artist. Yale University
Press, New Haven, CT.
Intranet web reference:
N/A
Important notes:
Expected knowledge of:
1.
Basic Psychological terminology
2.
Basic understanding of biological bases of psychology
Course policies:
Assignments: Each student should complete their assignment in certain
time. According to the assignment students take help from the lecturer
on his office hours.
Lateness in Assignments: The due date and time for each homework
assignment will be specified on the assignment handout itself. Late
assignments will not be accepted.
Academic Integrity: Any cheating on examinations or quizzes or
offering the work of another as one's own in an assignment is regarded
as a serious offence to the academic integrity and will lead to a ZERO
for the assignment grade, or serious disciplinary actions, including
possible suspension.
Collaboration in Assignments: Students are encouraged to work
together on homework assignments, to the extent that it helps promote
a productive learning environment for all those involved. However each
student must write his/her own solutions. Copied homework is graded
with ZERO.
Important dates:
Midterm exam :
Interim exam :
Final exam:
Quality assurance:
Student surveys, discussion on course, student appeals, e-mails, direct (formal)
feedback at the end of the semester by students, assistants and other
colleagues