| Unit name | Aesthetics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20136 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Pearson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit is an introduction to contemporary analytical aesthetics and the philosophy of art. We all make aesthetics judgments and experience aesthetic properties all the time; whether about a book we’ve read, a piece of music we like, or a film we enjoy. Or even about each other. Take away aesthetic appreciation natufrom our lives and our lives would be very dull indeed. The purpose of this course is to explore this central area of human value with philosophical tool at hand. Questions may include: Can we define ‘art’? What is the relation between the intentions of the artist and the artwork produced? How, if at all, can we have genuine rational emotional responses to characters and events that we know to be fictional? Why do we value art that arouses unpleasant emotions in us such as sadness and pity? What is the nature of aesthetic properties? What is the nature of artistic value and how does it relate to moral value? Are different kinds of aesthetics applicable for different styles of music? How should we understand our aesthetic appreciation of nature?
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This optional H/6 unit is only available to joint and single-honours philosophy
students (and liberal arts students on the philosophy pathway). It assumes
as background the general philosophical skills developed in mandatory units
at Level C/4 and in philosophy units at Level I/5. It enables students to apply
these skills to a central area of human value, viz. aesthetics. It fits a
standard model for Level I/5 units, insofar as it is less broad than Level C/4
units, as it is specific to one area of philosophy, but is more general than
Level H/6 units, insofar as it aims to give a broad overview of the area in
question.
An overview content
This unit is an introduction to contemporary analytical aesthetics and the philosophy of art. Topics include whether it is possible to define ‘art’; the nature of aesthetic properties; the role of the intentions of the artist in determining the meaning of a work of art; understanding our emotional responses to fiction; the nature of artistic value and how it relates to other values (e.g. moral value); whether we require a different kind of aesthetics for different styles of music (e.g. rock and classical); how should we understand our aesthetic appreciation of nature.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students completing the unit will have gained significant insight into a key feature of our lives: the nature of aesthetic value. They will have learnt various philosophical theories in aesthetics and the philosophy of art and be able to engage with them critically. They will have a better understanding of a number of core topics and philosophical questions that get addressed in aesthetics.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Provide clear and precise explanations that demonstrate detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of various philosophical theories in contemporary aesthetics.
2. Engage critically with philosophical theories about aesthetics and the philosophy of art.
3. Communicate philosophical ideas, positions, and arguments, in clear, fluent writing of a standard appropriate to level I/5.
4. Conduct independent research of a standard appropriate to level I/5.
5. Apply philosophical knowledge of core
philosophical issues and questions in contemporary aesthetics in critical responses to artworks.
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
none
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Critical Artwork Response (500 words) (10%) [ILOs 2, 3,5]
Exam (90%) [ILsS 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL20136).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
