PHIL 2029 - Beauty: Pleasures and Principles

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course introduces students to the central concepts and themes of philosophical aesthetics such as beauty, the sublime, disinterested pleasure, aesthetic judgment, aesthetic form, aesthetic ideas, the ugly, imagination and style. We will study the origin of these notions in a variety of historical/intellectual contexts through the writings of Plato, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche. This will take up the first half of the course. The second half of the course will involve the application of these concepts to contemporary culture through the writings of more recent philosophers. We will assess the potency and relevance of these concepts and themes for understanding the way value and meaning are conveyed through popular art forms like television soap operas but also more challenging art works, including novels, visual art and film. The course will culminate in an analysis of the relation between the narrative of a film and its artistry. This will involve a study of film theory that draws upon research on perception and the emotions in order to understand the way films can be constructed to elicit complex emotions such as those associated with experiences of beauty and the sublime.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHIL 2029
    Course Beauty: Pleasures and Principles
    Coordinating Unit Philosophy
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites 12 units Level I Humanities/Social Sciences, including 3 units in Philosophy
    Incompatible PHIL 2024 or PHIL 3024
    Course Description This course introduces students to the central concepts and themes of philosophical aesthetics such as beauty, the sublime, disinterested pleasure, aesthetic judgment, aesthetic form, aesthetic ideas, the ugly, imagination and style. We will study the origin of these notions in a variety of historical/intellectual contexts through the writings of Plato, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche. This will take up the first half of the course. The second half of the course will involve the application of these concepts to contemporary culture through the writings of more recent philosophers. We will assess the potency and relevance of these concepts and themes for understanding the way value and meaning are conveyed through popular art forms like television soap operas but also more challenging art works, including novels, visual art and film. The course will culminate in an analysis of the relation between the narrative of a film and its artistry. This will involve a study of film theory that draws upon research on perception and the emotions in order to understand the way films can be constructed to elicit complex emotions such as those associated with experiences of beauty and the sublime.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Jennifer McMahon

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Students will be introduced to a range of philosophical concepts. 
    2. They will develop skills in argumentation and analysis in writing essays.
    3. They will develop skills in argumentation and analysis in public debates and discussion.
    4. Students will form research questions.
    5. They will conduct research using a range of resources and technologies.
    6. They will be able to apply philosophical concepts to artworks such as film in order to interpret and evaluate them. 
    7. Students will have developed expertise in value theory to assist them in understanding complex cultural interactions.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4, 5, 6, 7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 7
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Readings, relevant links and examples will be provided on myuni.  Students will need to have access
    to a computer for myuni and for finding relevant examples to demonstrate their arguments.

    Recommended Resources
    References to both introductory and more advanced reading will be provided.
    Online Learning
    A wide range of online references will be provided.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures, seminars or tutorials
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lectures and seminars/tutorials per week totalling 3 hours.
    Reading per week (set & recommended texts): 3 hours
    Preparation for lecture/seminar/tutorial per week: 3 hours
    Assessment tasks preparation each week: 3 hours
    Total per week = 12 hours
    12 weeks of course: 12 x 12 hrs = 144 hours in total for semester


     




    Learning Activities Summary
    Lectures/seminars/tutorials: attendance, participation, individual and group work, reading, writing, speaking, online component.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Group work included
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Essays and Coursework
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Presentation, debate, film viewing, gallery visit, discussion, group glossary, formal evaluation
    Assessment Detail
    Coursework, Essay, Review, Glossary
    Submission
    See Philosophy Handbook
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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