FIL4700 ¨C Philosophical Aesthetics

Course content

Problems in philosophical aesthetics, both historical and contemporary, are treated in this course. They may be approached as purely philosophical questions or as questions that arise in the meeting of philosophy with the arts. For example: What is beauty and what is its place among other things in the world? What is art and what is its place among other things and other activities? How is aesthetic quality judged? Texts and focus will vary.

Learning outcome

After having completed this unit you will be expected to:

• have a good understanding of the most important concepts and questions within central aesthetical theories
• to be able to account for selected views within aesthetics in a way that clearly brings out connections with other philosophical disciplines (such as epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics)
• to be able to understand and assess central aesthetical theories in their historical context and development, as well as be familiar with contemporary debates about these theories
• to be able to give an independent presentation of a selected aesthetical theory and critically to discuss this in light of other views on aesthetics

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Requires admission to Philosophy (master).

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with FIL2104 ¨C Philosophical Aesthetics.
• 10 credits overlap with FIL4710 ¨C Philosophical Aesthetics (discontinued).
• 10 credits overlap with FIL4720 ¨C Philosophical Aesthetics (discontinued).

Teaching

Teaching takes place throughout the semester with two hours per week (for 12 weeks). Active student participation is expected from all students. As the course exists also as a bachelor course, teaching takes place together with bachelor students.

Compulsory activities:

• A presentation of your thesis project in a paper worskhop (attendance is mandatory)

All compulsory activities must be accepted as satisfactory in order to take the final exam. The activities are only valid for one semester (the same semester they are completed).

This is how you apply for valid absence from / postponement of compulsory activities.

Examination

A term paper of 10-15 pages each (one page should contain approximately 2300 characters), exclusive references. You are free to choose your own topic, however it must be approved of by the teacher responsible for the course.

You submit your term paper in Inspera within the given deadline.

In order for you to qualify for the final examination, your compulsory activities must be approved (accepted as satisfactory) by the teacher.

Evaluation criteria spring 2022

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.