PP2AE: Aesthetics

Module code: PP2AE

Module provider: Philosophy; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Sev.J. Schroeder, email: s.j.schroeder@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores central topics in philosophical aesthetics, such as: beauty, definitions of art, aesthetic value, formalism, expression of emotion in music, authors’ intentions, truth in literature, the paradox of tragedy, pictorial representation.  Its aim is to enable students to develop a critical understanding of the philosophical problems raised by art and aesthetic experience. Furthermore, it should enable students to analyse and evaluate various philosophical accounts of art and aesthetics.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Give an account of different approaches to the definitions of art and of aesthetics
2. Discuss the solutions offered to philosophical problems arising within specific art forms, as well as comparing, contrasting and evaluating those solutions
3. Gain an overview of the central threads in philosophical aesthetics since the 18th century also acquire a valuable perspective on other topics studied in their philosophy degree

Module content

The module will begin with an investigation of the concept of beauty and Kant’s account of it. We will then move on to other aesthetic qualities, and to philosophical problems which arise in specific art forms. We will discuss the expression of emotions in music, the question whether fiction can be a valuable source of knowledge, the paradox of tragedy, and problems concerning pictorial representation. We will also consider various answers to the question ‘What is art?’

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught by lectures and seminars. Students are expected to attend 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars during the term in which the module’s lecture and seminar classes take place. All students are required to write two essays chosen from a list of questions supplied by the module convenor. In addition, students will be required to give a seminar presentation. Students are encouraged to be active in all classes, asking questions and trying to answer the questions posed by others. A reading list and sample questions will be made available to students at the start of the course.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Pre-submission feedback on essay plans.

Reassessment

Additional costs