PH9F7-20 Topics in Philosophy and the Arts
Introductory description
PH9F7 Topics in Philosophy and the Arts
Module aims
This module introduces students to some of the methodological issues raised by approaching art philosophically. What does it mean to approach art philosophically or to undertake the philosophy of a particular art form? How might this differ from doing the theory or criticism of art or of a particular art? Does the philosophy of painting, or film or literature share a set of common questions and concerns, grounded in philosophy, or does philosophy of painting have more in common with theory and criticism of painting than it does with the philosophy of film? Such foundational questions will set the stage for addressing more specific problems in philosophy of art and aesthetics and the theory and philosophy of particular art forms. As such, the module is intended to have the flexibility to combine study of broad theoretical questions with attention to specific theorists, artists, works and events. The goal is to keep both methodological and substantive concerns in view: what kinds of activities, skills, conventions, institutions, historical circumstances, conceptual frameworks, motivations and values are relevant to the making, experience and social functions of art? What resources, perspectives and questions are helpful to theorists aiming to understand artistic practices, achievements, failures, challenges and future possibilities? Here ‘the arts’ are taken to encompass a wide spectrum of artistic activity, the constitution of which changes historically and is itself contested, but includes literature, cinema, music, dance and other performance arts, in addition to the visual arts, among others. The module will engage students with philosophically reflective work that is informed or triggered by attention to an artistic context or practice. Philosophy will reflect out of its artistic and theoretical objects, but the capacity of those objects to put the assumptions of philosophical methodology into question will also be foregrounded.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
A. General substantive and methodological topics, questions and concerns
- Art and philosophy
- Art and knowledge
- Art and narrative
- Beauty
- Aesthetic value and artistic value
- Aesthetics and empirical science
- Aesthetics of the everyday
B. More specific questions of relevance to particular arts, thinkers or debates Here topics might focus on a question addressed by various theorists, the work of a single theorist, writings on a single work of art or the oeuvre of a particular artist, an artistic movement or genre, or a philosophical movement relevant to the arts.
- Philosophical study of particular work/oeuvre/artist/genre
- Photography as an art
- Stanley Cavell on popular film
- Arthur Danto’s Philosophies of art and art history
- Literature and ethical and political criticism
- Responding to art and responding to others
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- By the end of the module, students will understand and reflect on general methodological and substantive issues raised by approaching art philosophically.
- By the end of the module the student should be able to show an advanced conceptual grasp of issues that link different art practices, that explore theoretical problems in relation to specific art forms, and that bring philosophical concerns into dialogue with the arts
- By the end of the module the student should be able to demonstrate advanced expertise in interpreting and analysing complex texts and critiquing their ideas and arguments
- By the end of the module the student should be able to develop and defend their own views on relevant issues, drawing on autonomously initiated and conducted research.
Indicative reading list
Generic Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
Students will:
develop their ability to understand recent work in philosophy and various art forms
develop their capacity for criticism, theorising and philosophical analysis.
develop an advanced capacity for interpretative reading of difficult material
develop a understanding of the challenges of philosophising about art and what it means to do substantive aesthetics
develop their capacities for writing, independent research and formulating an original project
Transferable skills
students will:
hone their ability to express themselves clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing
develop of their skills of criticism, interpretation, analysis and argument
begin to cultivate an understanding of the arts as a form of intellectual enquiry
learn to bring the results of one discipline to bear on those of another where these can be quite different
develop their capacities for research and synthesis of difficult material
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (9%) |
| Private study | 182 hours (91%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| 5000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback on essays will be provided on the coversheet for the essay, addressing standard areas
of evaluation and individual content.
Courses
This module is Option list B for:
-
TPHA-V7PM Postgraduate Taught Philosophy
- Year 1 of V7PM Philosophy
- Year 2 of V7PM Philosophy