Aesthetics

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The course will provide an introduction to issues and positions that are central to philosophical aesthetics and the theoretical reflection around aesthetic subjects. The course has primarily a thematic approach, but the roots of the themes are to be found in Plato and Aristotle. Examples of important topics includes the definition of art, aesthetic experience, art and knowledge, and the questions of taste.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

After completing the course, students should be familiar with the main concepts and theories of aesthetics.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student should be able to

- thoroughly understand the issues and challenges of philosophical aesthetics.

- explain important positions in philosophical aesthetics

- identify and critically analyze various theories within the topics of the course

Competence:

The course provides a basis for further studies aimed at the bachelor's degree with a specialisation in philosophy. In combination with other courses the student will be eligible for the teaching of philosophy in secondary school or upper secondary school. The course may also be suitable to support specialization in fundamental questions in connection with the study of other subjects.

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring in odd years

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Recommended Previous Knowledge
It is recommended that students have finished their exams in all 100-level compulsory courses. A good proficiency in English is necessary since it ought to be assumed that much of the prescribed reading will be in English.
Access to the Course
The course is open to students admitted at the University of Bergen
Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is offered in the form of lectures and/or seminars.

Supervision: supervision is a voluntary offer and can occur individually or in groups.

The number of gatherings may be reduced if the number of students attending the course is less than 4. In that case, the students will be compensated with individual or group tutoring.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

An approval of compulsory requirements is valid for three semesters, including the semester in which the approval is given.

Oral presentation

Forms of Assessment

The assessment form is a portfolio assessment, consisting of two written assignments to be handed in before a deadline set by the department. The first assignment is on a topic chosen from a list provided by the course teacher, and should be between 1500 and 2000 words (excluding table of contents, list of references, etc.). The second assignment is between 2500 and 3000 words (excluding table of contents, list of references, etc.). Each student chooses a topic subject to prior approval by the teacher of the course. With regards to the final grade, the first assignment makes up 30 % and the second assignment 70 % of the grade.

Exams in the course are held every semester.

The compulsory activities have to be formally approved before one can take an exam in the course.

Assessment in a semester without teaching follows the syllabus the previous semester the course had teaching.

Grading Scale
From A to F
Course Evaluation
The teaching will be evaluated from time to time.