Aesthetics C
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 5ES019
- Code
- 5ES019
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Aesthetics G2E
- Grading system
- Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U)
- Finalised by
- The Department Board, 10 March 2020
- Responsible department
- Department of Philosophy
Entry requirements
Aesthetics A and Aesthetics B
Learning outcomes
After completing the course students will have expanded upon and deepened the knowledge they gained from their previous studies in philosophical aesthetics.
Content
The course consists of three parts:
Origins of Art: Nature or Culture? (7,5 hp)
Essay (15 hp)
Elective course (7,5 hp)
Origins of Art: Nature or Culture? 7.5 hp
The main aim of this course is to examine the extent to which art can be said to be either a socio-cultural product or the instinctive expression of our human nature. We approach the central questions from an inter-disciplinary perspective, that is to say from the point of view of philosophy, but also anthropology, evolutionary theory, psychology and neurology. How, if at all, can empirical data add to our understanding of why art exists and plays an important part in our life? Does art have a distinct cognitive function or is it a so-called by-product?
The questions we examine include the following: what can cave art teach us about the development of our ability to think symbolically?; can we explain why different cultures tend to value the same aesthetic qualities, e.g. symmetry?; how can neurological studies of how the brain reacts when we listen to music provide us with insights about the aesthetic experience of art?; why do we feel empathy for fictional characters?
Essay 15.0 hp
The essay (short dissertation) course is designed to enhance students' understanding of the writing of academic essays. Of particular importance is that the essay demonstrates independent, methodologically sound and critically aware research, as well as the mastery of the stylistic and formal aspects of essay-writing. All students are allocated a supervisor who advises on the research topic and methods, as well as on technical and stylistic matters. The essay is then presented for discussion at a seminar.
Elective course 7.5 hp
The content of the elective course varies. Examples of earlier elective specialist studies include, "Kant's aesthetic theory", "Art and Representation", an "Art and Intention".
Instruction
Instruction
Teaching instructions include lectures and seminars. The language of instruction is English.
Assessment
Students are examined orally and/or in writing, with the exception of the 'Essay' course (where students are assessed partly through the essay and partly through an oral defence).