Undergraduate Course: Topics in Aesthetics (PHIL10261)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course covers advanced topics in Aesthetics. The course will typically focus on an extended examination of a philosophical issue related to art and aesthetic value, and the figures discussed may be historical or contemporary. The specific content for the year (topic, representative readings) will be advertised during the course selection process. |
| Course description |
This course examines in detail an advanced topic in Aesthetics. Topics will vary from year to year but will typically focus on an extended examination of a philosophical issue, such as the relation between ethical and aesthetic value; learning from art; imagination or emotion in response to art; aesthetic judgement and testimony.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND
Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their Student Adviser and the Course Organiser before enrolling. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Philosophy courses at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses. Applicants should note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. **Please note that honours Philosophy courses are high-demand, meaning that they have a very high number of students wishing to enrol in a very limited number of spaces.** These enrolments are managed strictly by the Visiting Student Office, in line with the quotas allocated by the department, and all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. It is not appropriate for students to contact the department directly to request additional spaces. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
45 %,
Coursework
55 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay preparation assignment (500 words) - 10%
Essay (1,600 words) - 40%
Exam (2 hours) - 45%
Participation - 5% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Topics in Aesthetics Exam | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand central concepts in debates in aesthetics.
- Critically engage with arguments for and against philosophical positions in debates over art and aesthetic value.
- Distinguish specific claims and arguments in discussions of art and aesthetic value.
- Express their own understanding of key concepts in writing.
- Express their own understanding of key concepts in discussion with others.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
In classes students will learn critical thinking, analysis and evaluation; how to read and analyse challenging texts; how to evaluate and contextualise arguments within wider debates; how to articulate cogent arguments; how to discuss their own and others' ideas in respectful, productive conversations. Through the assessments, students will learn how to write clear and structured arguments; demonstrate an understanding of the materials; how to do research; how to manage time and workload.
Core skills gained or developed on this course:
Challenging own perspectives and assumptions; Critical thinking; Critical analysis and evaluation; Formulating original arguments and justifying it; Independence; Oral communication (discussion, debating respectfully, influencing); Preparation, planning and organisation; Academic reading skills; Time management; Understanding broader perspectives; Workload management; Written communication; Writing clearly and concisely; Respectful discussion of others' ideas. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stacie Friend
Tel:
Email: sfriend@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Cameron Findlay
Tel:
Email: cameron.findlay@ed.ac.uk |
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