Aesthetics [2493]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: baccalaureate level or equivalent; proficiency in English
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: English
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

“An Introduction to Aesthetics” is a preliminary descriptive course on the main aspects of the whole research area of Aesthetics. Aesthetics is a term, which has wide range of scope. Such a wide range of scope limits the scope of this course to the minimum, but sufficient, knowledge about the subject. The aim of the course is introduce the students to the world of Aesthetics; and it is just an introduction. We cannot deal with the application of Aesthetic themes in the contemporary world. Because Aesthetics deals extensively with all areas of human life especially the digital, marketing, advertising and entertainment industries and the communication system, we have not entered into such a huge and scattered world of Aesthetics. However, the scope of Aesthetics and the scope of research into such a world is advisable to those longing for further studies in Aesthetics. A select bibliography is provided at the end intending to provide the glimpse of areas that can be covered under this subject.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• define the nature, scope, and principal concepts of aesthetics, including art, beauty, and aesthetic experience;
  
• explain the historical development of aesthetic thought from ancient philosophy to contemporary aesthetic theories;
  
• compare the principal philosophical approaches to art, creativity, interpretation, and aesthetic judgement; and
  
• analyze the distinctive features of Western and Indian aesthetic traditions, including the major theories and concepts presented in the course.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Conduct a rigorous ethical and aesthetic analysis, including on contemporary issue

Course Outline

Section 1: Definition, Nature and Scope of Aesthetics

Section 2: The History of Aesthetics

Section 3: Survey of Various Themes in Philosophy of Aesthetics

Section 4: Indian Aesthetics 

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade; and
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises); and
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone with a general level of education equivalent to the baccalaureate, or with personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written English is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Monroe Beardsley, Aesthetics from Classical Greece to the Present: A Short History, University of Alabama Press, 1966.
• Berys Gaut et Dominic McIver Lopes (eds.), The Routledge Companion to Aesthetics, 2nd ed., London et New York, Routledge, 2005.
• Michael Budd, Values of Art: Pictures, Poetry and Music, London, Penguin Books, 1995.
• Samuel Henry Butcher (trans.), Aristotle’s Theory of Poetry and Fine Art, with a Critical Text and Translation of the Poetics, London, Macmillan and Co., 1923.
• Noël Carroll, Philosophy of Art: A Contemporary Introduction, London, Routledge, 1999. Gregory Currie, An Ontology of Art, London, Macmillan, 1989.