Entropy
Amanda Holmes
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Philosophy
2025W, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05840
Description
As a scientific term, “entropy” was coined in the formulation of the second law of thermodynamics in the mid 19th century in reference to the Ancient Greek term trope meaning “transformation.” While its technical definition has to do with the consumption of energy and the statistical measure of heat as it is transformed into work, broadly speaking entropy refers to the tendency for any order to gradually decline into disorder. Entropy is associated with notions of randomness, contingency, and unpredictability. This class will bring together three different notions of entropy from the diverse fields of anthropology (Claude Levi-Strauss), psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud) and aesthetics (Umberto Eco). We will draw upon these texts as resources for thinking through various artistic practices that deal with entropy in an expanded sense (Robert Smithson, Dieter Roth, Nancy Buchanan, Martha Rosler, and others).
Examination Modalities
Students will be expected to submit a 10 page paper on the topic of entropy. The paper should come out of a close engagement with at least one of the texts or art works we will discuss in class.
Dates
07 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
14 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 33
21 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 FLUX 1
28 October 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 33
04 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
11 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 32
18 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 33
25 November 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 33
02 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
09 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar Room 32
16 December 2025, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
20 January 2026, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
27 January 2026, 12:00–14:00 Seminar room 35
Course Enrolment
From 01 September 2025, 09:00
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.85
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 067/003.25
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.85
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 074/003.25
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Philosophy 537/080.18
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Philosophie 542/207.04
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Philosophie 566/208.08
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Philosophie 567/208.08
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Philosophy 568/005.07
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Philosophy 568/006.07
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 4-6: Study Area 4: Philosophy 569/022.04
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/203.02
Conservation and Restoration (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte 588/204.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/202.01
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Philosophy: Deepening / Application 700/003.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible