Introductory description

PH9F7 Topics in Philosophy and the Arts

Module aims

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.

Possible topics:
Defining art
Art in human evolution
Artistic value and critical practice
Art & knowledge
Art & ethics
Expression in art
Creativity

Second half of module focusing on case studies, with topics such as:
Shame and photography
Short stories and rationality
Art and stupidity
Food as art
Aesthetics and non-western art
Art and artificial intelligence
Cultural appropriation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• understand and reflect on general methodological and substantive issues raised by approaching art philosophically.
• show an advanced conceptual grasp of issues surrounding the nature of art, as well as theoretical problems relevant to specific art forms.
• demonstrate advanced expertise in interpreting and analysing complex texts and critiquing their ideas and arguments.
• develop and defend their own views on relevant issues, drawing on autonomously initiated and conducted research.

Indicative reading list

Arthur Danto, The Transfiguration of the Commonplace
Ellen Dissanayake, 'Art as a Human Behavior: Toward an Ethological View of Art'
Stephen Davies, The Artful Species
Paul O. Kristeller, 'The Modern System of the Arts'
Kendall Walton, 'How Marvellous: Towards a Theory of Aesthetic Value'
Ajume Wingo, 'African Art and the Aesthetics of Hiding and Revealing'
Susan Mullin Vogel, 'Baule: African Art Western Eyes'
Kathleen Higgins, 'Comparative Aesthetics'
John Gibson, 'Cognitivism and the Arts'
Eileen John, 'Literature and Philosophical Progress'
Anne Eaton, 'Robust Immoralism'
Berys Gaut, 'The Ethical Criticism of Art'
Marcia Eaton, ‘Integrating the aesthetic and the moral’
Erich Hattala Matthes, 'Immoral Artists'
Sherri Irvin, 'The Artist’s Sanction in Contemporary Art'
Diarmuid Costello, 'STUPID ART'
Derek Matravers, 'Art, Expression and Emotion'
Jenefer Robinson, Deeper than Reason
Carolyn Korsmeyer, Making Sense of Taste
Yuriko Saito, Everyday Aesthetics
Claire Bishop, ‘Antagonism and Relational Aesthetics’
C. Thi Nguyen, Games: Agency as Art
Mary Mothersill, ‘Beauty and the Critic’s Judgment: Remapping Aesthetics’
Richard Wollheim, 'Criticism as Retrieval'
Noel Carroll, On Criticism
Richard Shusterman, ‘Of the Scandal of Taste: Social Privilege as Nature in the Aesthetics of Hume and Kant’

Research element

A summative research essay is a requirement.

Interdisciplinary

The module incorporates multiple disciplines in studying art, art theories and criticism, and histories of art practices.

International

Non-UK and non-European artworks and aesthetic theories are studied on the module.

Subject specific skills

Students will:
develop understanding of recent work in philosophy of art and theorising about specific art practices
develop their capacity for critical response, analysis and argument in philosophy of art
develop an advanced capacity for interpretation of difficult materials, including work reflecting theoretically on artworks and creative practices
develop understanding of the challenges of philosophising about art and what it means to do substantive aesthetics

Transferable skills

Students will:
hone their ability to express themselves clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
develop their skills of criticism, interpretation, synthesis of complex materials, analysis of ideas and issues, and argument
learn to bring the results of one discipline or practice to bear on those of another, assessing similarities and relevance
develop their capacities for writing, formulating a research project and carrying out independent research