Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL1009: Philosophies of Art

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to make you familiar with enduring debates in the philosophy of art and aesthetics, and how these connect to philosophical issues in other areas of the discipline, such as ethics and the philosophy of perception and emotion. The module speaks to those with an interest in the interdisciplinary study of the arts, and introduces ways in which philosophical thinking can be applied to real-life concerns. Core areas of the module will be “research-led”, in the sense that it will be informed by the module leader’s current research projects concerning perception and emotion. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate familiarity with major movements in the history of Philosophy of Art;
2. Demonstrate understanding of key philosophical problems surrounding topics in Aesthetics, and existing responses to these problems;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Illustrate a variety of philosophical positions on a specific topic;
4. Critically evaluate, orally and in writing, several philosophical positions;
Personal and Key Skills5. Engage in complex arguments verbally and in small groups;
6. Analyse, critically engage with, and report accurately upon, existing written material while articulating it within a structured and cogent argument; and
7. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The module has two main parts: the first part looks at theories from the history of philosophy concerning the nature and status of art, while the second explores some individual philosophical problems arising in the field of aesthetics.Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes:

Theories of art:

  •  Art as representation
  •  Art as expression
  •  The institutional theory of art


Philosophical problems in Aesthetics:

  • Hume’s critique of taste
  • Forgery
  • Emotional responses to fictional characters
  • The paradox of tragedy
  • Humour and the morality of art
  • Beauty and the natural environment

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27.5122.50

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity16.511 x 1.5-hour seminars (lecturer’s explanations, student participation and discussion)
Scheduled Learning an1111 x 1 hour seminar
Guided Independent Study122.5A variety of reading and private study activities guided by the module leader. These tasks may include: Reading assignments (40 hours) Formative assessment preparation, including research and writing (20 hours) Essay preparation, including literature review, research, and writing (30 hours) Revision and exam preparation (30 hours)

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Stanford Encyclopedia: http://plato.stanford.edu/index.html

PhilPapers online database of philosophical papers: http://www.philpapers.org

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

Plato, ‘Republic, III & X’,

Beardsley, M.C. ‘Intentions and Interpretations: A Fallacy Revived’

Hume, D. ‘Of the standard of taste’,

Walton, K. ‘Fearing Fictions’,

Scruton, R. ‘Understanding Music’,

Lamarque, P. ‘Tragedy and Moral Value’,

Gaut, B. ‘The Ethical Criticism of Art’,