Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module shall introduce students to major theories of aesthetics.

This module provides an introduction to aesthetics, allowing students to engage with aesthetic theory in their projects and throughout their time in the degree. It also provides the starting point of the ‘aesthetics’ stream though the philosophy degree, with stage 2 and 3 modules that build upon it.

The module fits with the introductory Epistemology, Ethics and Philosophy of Religion courses in stage 1 and offers students the chance to begin specialising as philosophers.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will be introduced to a variety of ancient, early modern, and modern aesthetic theories. They will learn what constitutes art, beauty and the good, and how such judgements are made, considering thinkers who may include: Plato, Kant, Hegel, Hume, Confucius and others.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will:

- Understand the branch of philosophy known as aesthetics.

- Be able to consider the ontological and epistemological status of aesthetic claims

- Discuss the nature of art and what it is to be an ‘artist’ and an ‘artwork’

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will:

- Learn to engage with philosophical concepts and materials, in a detailed and critical manner;

- Learn to practice history as philosophy;

- Begin to learn to subject their own defining preconceptions to critical scrutiny.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the underlying philosophical, cultural and socio-political thoughts and practices used to construct various models of aesthetics. The content of the course will be supported by extracts from original texts, illustrations, examples, historical knowledge and slides in lectures and by structured discussion sessions where students will reinforce knowledge and develop dialogue and communication skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The end-of-semester essay allows students the necessary scope to propose their own account of the history of art and aesthetics, as it has unfolded in ancient philosophy and after the onset of the Enlightenment. It also provides students with the opportunity of identifying and discussing some philosophical implications of their historical account, and so of exhibiting their newly acquired capacity to render historical work as a critical practice. The assessment’s focus on issues that consider epistemological, ethical and political possibilities, and their interrelation, allows students the opportunity to avail themselves of one or more of the various perspectives offered to them by secondary commentaries and therefore to hone their skills in research.

General Notes

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