second year course outlines 2012-2013 - School of Social Sciences ...

Examination period: Monday 14 th January 2013 – Friday 25 th January 2013
Re-sit Examination period: Monday 19 th August 2013 – Friday 31 st August 2013
Please read this course outline through very carefully as it provides essential information
needed by all students attending this course
This course guide should be read in conjunction with the Philosophy Study Guide.
Copies may be obtained from the Undergraduate Office, G.001 Arthur Lewis Building or from
the SoSS intranet at: http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/intranet/ug/handbooks/
2. ABOUT THE COURSE
Summary
This course unit is concerned with central questions in analytical aesthetics: questions in
areas (e.g. the philosophy of mind, ontology and the philosophy of language) that are
themselves at the core of analytical philosophy. Topics covered include: what is an artwork?;
are there correct and incorrect evaluations of works of art?; what is involved in interpreting a
work of art?; what, if anything, is wrong with forgery?; how can works of music express
emotions?; is cinema a particularly realistic art form and, if so, in what does its realism
consist?
Aims
This course unit aims to:
• Enable students to analyse and develop their own reasoned opinions on some of the most
central and enduring problems in analytical aesthetics.
• Enhance students' powers of critical analysis, reasoning and independent thought.
• Familiarise students with some of the most interesting and provocative texts in analytical
aesthetics
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
• Knowledge and understanding of a range of central texts in analytic aesthetics.
• Some in-depth critical knowledge of some of the most important theories in the areas
covered by the course.
• The ability to critically reflect on those theories, and to articulate and defend their own
views.
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