module
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
PHL1009: Philosophies of Art
This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module has two main parts: the first part looks at theories from the history of philosophy concerning the nature and status of art, while the second explores some individual philosophical problems arising in the field of aesthetics.Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:
Theories of art:
- Art as representation
- Art as expression
- The institutional theory of art
Philosophical problems in Aesthetics:
- Hume’s critique of taste
- Forgery
- Emotional responses to fictional characters
- The paradox of tragedy
- Humour and the morality of art
- Beauty and the natural environment
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 16.5 | Weekly 2-hour lecture/seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 122.5 | A variety of reading and private study activities guided by the module leader. These tasks may include: Reading assignments (40 hours) Formative assessment preparation, including research and writing (20 hours) Essay preparation, including literature review, research, and writing (30 hours) Revision and exam preparation (30 hours) |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Stanford Encyclopedia: http://plato.stanford.edu/index.html
PhilPapers online database of philosophical papers: http://www.philpapers.org