SE4325: Philosophy and the Arts

School Philosophy
Department Code ENCAP
Module Code SE4325
External Subject Code V500
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Charlotte Newey
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2015/6

Outline Description of Module

The module will explore a number of central themes in Aesthetics, including questions as to the nature of beauty, how the worth of a work of art can be evaluated, and how ‘art’ can be defined.  The discussions of philosophical issues will be closely tied to the analysis of particular works of art, particularly visual works and music.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

•           demonstrate awareness of questions that have been and continue to be central to    Aesthetics.

•           demonstrate ability to analyse, interpret and evaluate works of art, through a detailed        and critical understanding of the concepts, arguments and ideas that are dominant in    Aesthetics.

•           demonstrate ability to interpret, criticise and use the ideas and arguments of a        significant range of philosophers of art.

•           demonstrate ability to communicate and justify their interpretations and evaluations.

How the module will be delivered

Teaching will be through a combination of weekly lectures and additional seminars.  Students will be expected to have read brief, selected passages from the authors prior to seminar classes, and to be able to discuss them.

Skills that will be practised and developed

To give students a grounding in the most important approaches to the philosophy of art, with an emphasis on their articulation in twentieth century British and American philosophy.

How the module will be assessed

The formative assessment for this module will take the form of two one coursework essays, on specified topics.  These essays should be submitted via Learning Central, by the dates specified on the semester question lists.  Essays submitted after these dates, without good cause, may not be marked in time for the revision period.  Essays will be returned via email.

The summative assessment for this module will take the form of one portfolio essay in combination with one 1.5 hour written examination.  The two components of the assessment will carry equal weighting.

The portfolio essay will consist of one essay of a maximum of 2,000 words.  This essay will be selected from the same list of titles as for the formative essays.  The essay must be written especially for the portfolio, and must not be discussed with the module leader.  It may, however, be based upon the formative essay, although the greater maximum length of essay indicates that a more thorough and detailed critical discussion of the chosen title is expected. 

In the written examination the student will answer one question from a list of six to ten questions.

This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the Philosophy Course Guide. There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 50 Essay N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 50 Philosophy And The Arts 1.5

Syllabus content

The module will explore a number of central themes in Aesthetics, including questions as to the nature of beauty and expressiveness, how the worth of a work of art can be evaluated, and how the concept of ‘art’ may be defined.  The first part of the module will discuss these central themes through a general review of a range of key arguments and theorists.  The second part of the module will be devoted to two the work of two philosophers, R. G. Collingwood and A. C. Danto, and to a critical examination of the way in which the central themes of Aesthetics are manifest and interpreted in their key texts.

The discussions of philosophical issues will be closely tied to the analysis of particular works of art, particularly visual works and music.

Essential Reading and Resource List

Indicative Reading List

These books, in some parts, are indicative of the subject matter. You are advised not to purchase books until seeing the reading list.

Oswald Hanfling (ed.), Philosophical Aesthetics:  An Introduction, Oxford:  Blackwell, 1992.

David Cooper (ed.), A Companion to Aesthetics, Oxford:  Blackwell, 1992.

Gordon Graham, Philosophy of the Arts:  An Introduction to Aesthetics, London:  Routledge, 1997.

Charles Harrison and Paul Wood (eds), Art in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, Oxford: Blackwell, 2002.

Background Reading and Resource List

Indicative Reading List

These books, in some parts, are indicative of the subject matter. You are advised not to purchase books until seeing the reading list.

Oswald Hanfling (ed.), Philosophical Aesthetics:  An Introduction, Oxford:  Blackwell, 1992.

David Cooper (ed.), A Companion to Aesthetics, Oxford:  Blackwell, 1992.

Gordon Graham, Philosophy of the Arts:  An Introduction to Aesthetics, London:  Routledge, 1997.

Charles Harrison and Paul Wood (eds), Art in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, Oxford: Blackwell, 2002.


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