Course - Philosophical Aesthetics - FI2108
Philosophical Aesthetics
Choose study yearNew from the academic year 2018/2019
About
About the course
Course content
We are surrounded by art and aesthetic expressions, such as art, music, pictures, film. But what is art, and what roles does it play in our lives? And what does it mean for something to be aesthetic?
The course provides a grounding in central aesthetic theories and issues, and thematizes concepts such as interpretation, sensuality, corporeality, beauty, form, modernism, mimesis, and the relationship between art and society. We also discuss how aesthetic traditions relate to other basic questions in philosophy concerning knowledge, existence, ethics and politics.
Learning outcome
According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge and skills):
Knowledge:
- knowledge of key issues within philosophical aesthetics as well as more in-depth knowledge of selected problems.
- knowledge of aesthetic issues related to different art forms.
- knowledge of the history of aesthetics.
Skills:
- ability to present different problem areas and argue for and against different positions within philosophical aesthetics.
- ability to think philosophically based on concrete works of art.
- ability to orient oneself in the literature within a particular field, and find complementary literature of relevance to a chosen topic and/or research question.
- ability to illuminate/answer the topic/research question in an independent manner through a written assignment (essay).
Learning methods and activities
Seminar, supervision and self-study.
The course has two alternative assessment forms (see 'further on evaluation') with different required activities that must be apporved in order to sit the exam.
- For assessment assignment/written examination: approved reading list that must be handed in at the Department in person.
- For assignment: approved reading list that must be handed in at the Department in person, 80 % attendance at seminar and approved oral presentation (15 minutes).
Compulsory assignments
- 80 % oppmøte på seminar
- Muntlig presentasjon
- Godkjent pensumliste
Further on evaluation
The course has two alternative assessment forms for the students to choose from: 'assignment/written examination' and 'assignment'. See 'teaching methods and activities' for different required activities related to the two assessment forms.
Assessment 'assignment/written examination': the assessment is based on an essay written with supervision, which makes up 50% of the final grade, and a six-hour written exam (no materials), which makes up 50% of the final grade. The written exam aims to a greater extent to test breadth of knowledge. The individual parts will not be graded, evaluation by an overall grade. In order for the students to pass, both exam parts must be considered to have a level that would have been equivalent to a passing grade. In case of retakes, students must redo both exams.
Assessment form 'assignment': the assessment is based on an essay written with supervision.
The following practical information regarding the essay is valid for bothe assessment forms: Length: 4400-6000 words. Students are strongly advised to submit a draft version of their essay to their teacher/supervisor for feedback prior to final submission.
Recommended previous knowledge
Courses at basic level (FI1000-level) or equivalent.
Required previous knowledge
None.
Course materials
Students compose their curriculum/reading list based on the offered teaching and in consultation with lecturer.
Subject areas
- Philosophy