Module Catalogue

PHI1112 : Introduction to Aesthetics

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Daniel Koczy
  • Owning School: School X
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The module shall introduce students to major theories of aesthetics.

This module provides an introduction to aesthetics, allowing students to engage with aesthetic theory in their projects and throughout their time in the degree. It also provides the starting point of the ‘aesthetics’ stream though the philosophy degree, with stage 2 and 3 modules that build upon it.

The module fits with the introductory Epistemology, Ethics and Philosophy of Religion courses in stage 1 and offers students the chance to begin specialising as philosophers.

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will be introduced to a variety of ancient, early modern, and modern aesthetic theories. They will learn what constitutes art, beauty and the good, and how such judgements are made, considering thinkers who may include: Plato, Kant, Hegel, Hume, Confucius and others.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture81:008:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion721:0072:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities101:0010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching81:008:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops21:002:00N/A
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the underlying philosophical, cultural and socio-political thoughts and practices used to construct various models of aesthetics. The content of the course will be supported by extracts from original texts, illustrations, examples, historical knowledge and slides in lectures and by structured discussion sessions where students will reinforce knowledge and develop dialogue and communication skills.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay2A1002000 word essay selected from a list of possible topics by the student.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The end-of-semester essay allows students the necessary scope to propose their own account of the history of art and aesthetics, as it has unfolded in ancient philosophy and after the onset of the Enlightenment. It also provides students with the opportunity of identifying and discussing some philosophical implications of their historical account, and so of exhibiting their newly acquired capacity to render historical work as a critical practice. The assessment’s focus on issues that consider epistemological, ethical and political possibilities, and their interrelation, allows students the opportunity to avail themselves of one or more of the various perspectives offered to them by secondary commentaries and therefore to hone their skills in research.

Reading Lists

Timetable