The Postgraduate Diploma in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts is a full-time programme running for 9 months or a part-time programme running for 18 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

In order to be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts a candidate should have a Second Class Honours, Grade II, Primary Degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy, History of Art, Literature, Sociology, or other relevant subject (including, for example, fine art, music, architecture, design, social science, psychology), or equivalent qualifications. Successful applicants must demonstrate evidence of having taken undergraduate or post-graduate modules in art history and/or philosophy and/or practical/professional expertise or qualification in an area that involves aesthetics.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

Core Modules
Students take 40 credits as follows:
HA6006 Theory for Art History (10 credits)
HA6022 Dialogues with Practice (10 credits)
PH6021 East Asian Aesthetics (10 credits)
PH6023 Western Aesthetics (10 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select 20 credits from the following:
EN6000 Modern Aesthetics in English Literature and Culture (10 credits)
FR6204 Contemporary French Philosophy: Theory as Vision (10 credits)
FR6601 Philosophies of Noise, Sound and Music (10 credits)
GE6003 Ut Pictura Poiesis. Literature and the Visual Arts (10 credits)
SC6624 Civilisation and Globalisation: The Rise and Dynamics of the Modern World in the Context of Civilisational Analysis (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Certificate in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits (but less than 60 credits) may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts.

MA in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts
Students who pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits with an aggregate mark of 60% across all modules may opt not to be conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma and may transfer their registration to the MA in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts in the same year (full-time) or by the next year (part-time).

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify, analyse, contrast and critique art historical, literary, and philosophical models of aesthetics;
• Use and create theoretical concepts relevant to the field of aesthetics and to the visual, literary and musical arts;
• Effectively perform visual/literary analysis;
• Identify, formulate, analyse and critique art historical, literary, musical and philosophical models of aesthetics;
• Describe, assess and critique the positions of central theorists;
• Effectively perform visual and literary analysis;
• Argue and defend positions in short critical essays and in in-class debate in a multi-disciplinary setting to a professional standard.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Comparative Aesthetics and the Arts (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate some familiarity with the most important art historical, literary, musical and philosophical models of aesthetics;
• Perform visual and literary analysis at a postgraduate level;
• Write short essays to a professional standard;
• Interact with other students in a multi-disciplinary setting.