Studying at York
Aesthetics - PHI00091I
- Department: Philosophy
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2022-23
Module summary
To introduce students to some of the key issues and concepts in contemporary analytical aesthetics (philosophy of art), in relation to a range of art forms, including the visual arts, music, and literature.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2023-24 |
Module aims
- To introduce students to some of the key issues and concepts in contemporary analytical philosophy of art, in relation to a range of art forms, including the visual arts, music, and literature;
- To explore in particular such topics as: the bounds of art and attempts to define ‘art’; ontology; representation; interpretation; the cognitive claims of art (truth and knowledge); popular vs fine art; and the putative values of art.
- To engage some of the main debates in this area and critically reflect on the grounds for disagreements;
- To reflect on some of the strengths and weaknesses of the application of analytical methods in philosophy to debates in the philosophy of art;
- To develop students’ abilities to improve their own work—e.g. by making good use of feedback
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
—understand and explain a range of key problems, issues, and debates in analytic philosophy of art and express this understanding in clear, precise, and accessible terms
—develop and articulate ranges of alternative solutions to problems and issues in analytic philosophy of art in an open-minded way, drawing on module materials
—develop and articulate arguments for the alternative solutions considered in relation to problems and issues in analytic philosophy of art, drawing on module materials, identifying some points of weakness and some potential points for development
—make a judgement about what is the best view on a particular problem in analytic philosophy of art and argue in defence of this judgement
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
All feedback will be returned within current University and Departmental guidelines.
Indicative reading
Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art: the Analytic Tradition: An Anthology, eds. Peter Lamarque & Stein Haugom Olsen, Second Edition (Blackwell)