Students will explore in detail arguments of some of the most important philosophers on art, aesthetics and cultural theory, including Kant, Hegel, Danto and Tolstoy. Students will critically engage with key concepts and theories in aesthetics, including the aesthetic judgement, disinterestedness, the institutional theory of art, the nature of representation and expression and feminism and post-modern critiques. Students will be encouraged to develop connections between works of art and artistic practices of the past and present.

(LO1) Students will be able to explain and evaluate some of the main theories in aesthetics.

(LO2) Students will be able to analyse and critically assess key concepts and arguments relating to aesthetics and art.

(LO3) Students will be able to structure discussion of issues in aesthetics at an advanced level.

(LO4) Students will be able to identify and develop links between influential philosophical theories and artistic practices.

(LO5) Students will be able to articulate, defend and criticise positions in aesthetics and philosophy of art.

(LO6) Students will be able to present their ideas with clarity and confidence.

(LO7) Students will be able to develop in writing, coherent, structures and sophisticated accounts on abstract philosophical issues.

(S1) Develop skills in making appropriate use of information technology, information on the WWW and reference works and databases relevant to the discipline.

(S2) Enhance the capacity to participate in debates about controversial and profound issues.

(S3) Develop willingness to critically evaluate and reflect upon arguments, beliefs, proposals and values.

(S4) Enhance the ability in reading and understanding complex texts and abstract material.

(S5) Develop skills in thinking critically, analyse problems in detail and providing in depth evaluation of arguments.

(S6) Enhance ability to identify, develop and reflect critically upon the issues that underlie debates.

(S7) Develop confidence in considering ideas and approaches with which they may be less familiar.

(S8) Enhance ability to marshal arguments and present them orally and in writing.

(S9) Advance ability to perform bibliographical searches, to include citations and bibliographies in their work, organise and produce presentations of work to professional standard.

(S10) Enhance oral and written communication skills and develop skills in explaining complex material in a precise manner.

Kant; The Kantain Legacy? The "Aesthetic Attitude"; Defining Art; Ontology of Art; Aesthetic Value; Art and Morality; Feminist Aesthetics; The End of Art.

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes

a) mixed, hybrid delivery, with social distancing on campus: seminars on-campus

(b) fully online delivery and assessment: seminars on-line

(c) standard on campus delivery with minimal social distancing: seminars on-campus