PHIL 2052 - Ethics and the Arts: Literature, Film, Art & Music

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Developments in societal norms and values have led to serious ethical dilemmas in the Arts. Among them include whether new standards and values should be applied retrospectively. For example, can funding sources when considered unethical by today?s standards detract from the merit of an historical masterpiece? And when does answering yes to these kinds of questions constitute fallacies like judging the person instead of the product; or an anachronism (cognitive bias of hindsight)? Do these fallacies apply in such context sensitive cases? There are many questions we could raise about individual cases but also the processes more generally. For example, when does freedom of expression override the kind of restrictions on public discourse now operating in the public space? And do we allow film and video games? producers and television executives too much influence in shaping our imaginaries? And what do we say about the works which promote unethical attitudes, alienation, insensitivity to others suffering, disregard for the natural world, or that make an ethical point by employing unethical means? Who is accountable? And is it ethical for an artist, actor or writer to take on the persona or speak in the voice of another gender or culture? And when does artistic or musical influence blur into plagiarism? In this course, we will identify principles from art and aesthetic theories, moral theory, philosophy of mind and from informal logic, with which to analyse these cases and more. Students will be able to choose whether to focus their research on Literature, Film, Art or Music. This course will be a must for anyone seeking a career in the creative industries, but will also be useful to those who are interested in connecting the Arts with Philosophy.

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Course Details

Course Code	PHIL 2052
Course	Ethics and the Arts: Literature, Film, Art & Music
Coordinating Unit	Philosophy
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	12 units of Level I study, with at least 6 units of ARTS
Incompatible	PHIL 2052OL
Assessment	Online quizzes 20%, Online blog 30%, First essay 20%, Second essay 30%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Jennifer McMahon

Developments in societal norms and values have led to serious ethical dilemmas in the Arts. You will have the opportunity to identify and analyse those of particular interest to you. Among those discussed will include whether new standards and values should be applied retrospectively when museums or historical masterpieces are found to have been funded by sources considered unethical by today’s standards; and whether or when freedom of expression is allowed to override cultural and other sensitivities, such as when creative works promote unethical attitudes, alienation, insensitivity to others suffering, disregard for the natural world, or employ unethical means. The course will introduce relevant theoretical concepts from moral theory, aesthetics, philosophy of mind and informal logic to analyse such cases and more. Students will be able to choose whether to focus their research on Literature, Film, Art, Dance or Music. This course will be a must for anyone seeking a career in the creative industries but will also be useful to those who are interested in connecting the Arts with Philosophy.

Course Timetable

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

I x 2 hr lecture
1 x 1 hr tutorial

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate the principles that underpin ethical dilemmas with rigour and clarity in written and spoken debate
2. Demonstrate understanding of the philosophical assumptions and implications of their own ethical views
3. Engage in ethical dilemmas within context sensitive situations with a balanced, reasonable and culturally sensitive approach in writing and spoken debate
4. Form research questions
5. Conduct research using a range of resources and technologies

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1, 2, 3
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1, 2, 3
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	3, 4
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1-5
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	1-3
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1-3

Learning Resources

Required Resources

TED NANNICELLI, Artistic Creation and Ethical Criticism, Oxford University Press, 2020.

Recommended Resources

In addition to Nannicelli's book, weekly readings and podcasts will be provided on myuni

Online Learning

Lectures and various resources will be provided on myuni. A choice of face-to-face and online tutorials will be available for enrolment.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

1 x 2 hr lecture online
1x 1 hr tutorial either face-to-face or online

Workload

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

1 x 2-hour lectures per week 24 hours per semester
1 x 1-hour tutorial per week 12 hours per semester
subTOTAL = 36 hrs

Reading and research 4 hrs per week 48 hours per semester
Work on Blog 4 hrs per week 48 hrs per semester
Essay writing 24 hrs per semester
subTOTAL = 120 hrs

Grand TOTAL: 156 hrs

Learning Activities Summary

WEEK LECTURE TOPIC
1 Introduction to Principles of Moral Theory, and Aesthetic Theory
2 Literature and the Philosophy of Mind
3 Literary Dilemmas: cultural appropriation and the ethics of voice
4 Film and the Philosophy of Mind
5 Ethical questions in film creation and reception
6 Art and Aesthetic Theory
7 Ethical dilemmas in process and appreciation
8 Music, Aesthetics, and Ethics
9 Music, and Persuasion
10 Individual cases arising from Student Blogs: identifying principles of ethics, aesthetics, mind and logic
11 Individual cases arising from Student Blogs: the significance of context
12 Principles of ethics, aesthetics, mind and logic within context sensitive situations

Specific Course Requirements

Students will need access to a computer or other digital device, and familiarity with the normal range of tools and programs loaded onto such devices.

Small Group Discovery Experience

Students will work in groups around their choice of art form to create a blog to engage with other students

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

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

Assessment Summary

Quizzes, blog, and essay

Assessment Related Requirements

Students will need access to a computer or other digital device, and familiarity with the normal range of tools and programs loaded onto such devices.

Assessment Detail

Quizzes: 4x5%: On relevant principles 20%
Blog: Select examples, identify and apply principles, identify context relevant factors, respond to other views 30%
Essay: 2,500 words 50%

Submission

Online submission

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator