Entry requirements

Aesthetics A and Aesthetics B

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will have expanded upon and deepened the knowledge they have gained from their previous studies in philosophical aesthetics.

Content

The course consists of three parts:

• The Origins of Art: Nature or Culture? (7.5 credits)
• Elective Course (7.5 credits)
• Essay (15 credits)

The Origins of Art: Nature or Culture? (7.5 credits)

The main aim of this course is to examine the extent to which art can be said to be a socio-cultural product, and the extent to which it is the instinctive expression of our human nature. We approach the central questions from an inter-disciplinary perspective, that is to say not only from the point of view of philosophy, but also with the help of anthropology, evolutionary theory, psychology and neurology. How, if at all, can empirical data add to our understanding of why art exists and plays an important part in our life? Does art have a distinct cognitive function or is it a so-called by-product? What can cave art teach us about the development of our ability to think symbolically?

Elective Course (7.5 credits)

The content of the elective course varies. Examples of earlier elective courses include Kant's Aesthetic Theory, Art and Representation, and Art and Intention.

Essay (15 credits)

The essay (short dissertation) course is designed to enhance students' understanding of the writing of academic essays. Of particular importance is that the essay demonstrates independent, methodologically sound and critically aware research, as well as the mastery of the stylistic and formal aspects of essay-writing. All students are allocated a supervisor who advises on the research topic and methods, as well as on technical and stylistic matters. The essay is then presented for defence at a seminar.

Instruction

Teaching include lectures and seminars. Language of instruction is English.

Assessment

Students are examined on the basis of written assignments and seminars. The assessment of the essay course (15 credits) is based upon the writing and defence of a scientific essay, and upon a critical oral discussion of another student's essay.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.