Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Bodies and Beauty
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Philosophy
Module Code	09 30158
Module Lead	Heather Widdows
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-8 hours Guided independent study-172 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module will introduce students to philosophical conceptions of the body, the self and identity as they emerge in the context of beauty ideals, beauty practices and body discipline. The kinds of questions we will consider are: What is the purpose of beauty practices and body discipline? Why do women (and men) engage in beauty practices and body discipline? What type of practices count as beauty practices? Are there (moral) differences in different types of engagement or types of beauty practices? In a visual culture does beauty matter more than ever before? Is there a duty to engage in beauty practices? Are beauty ideals more unrealistic and demanding? Should engagement be regarded as a choice? Is engagement coerced, false consciousness or adaptive preference? How much of beauty practice is gendered (to make women ‘women’ and men ‘men’)? Do beauty practices serve to subordinate and oppress women? What are the justice issues of beauty practices? What are the harms of engagement in beauty practices? Is there a right to beauty? The module will also introduce students to the workings of practical ethics in the policy context. The aim is to give a taste of what it is like to actually ‘do’ ethics in policy circles where the goal is to make practical recommendations which can be implemented. We will consider how, if at all, policy makers should respond to rising concerns about body image (especially but not exclusively among young women and men) in an increasingly visual and virtual culture. In order to give students a sense of how philosophical concerns actually have relevance in the real world work of policy making we will consider reports by policy-makers and NGOs on some aspect of body management and body image, and the second assessment will give students a chance to evaluate a report.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: show understanding of and recount key arguments and positions regarding the status of beauty practices show understanding of and explain key accounts of the body and its relationship to the self and identity articulate and evaluate arguments supporting and rejecting beauty practices, from routine practices such as daily grooming to extreme practices such as cosmetic surgery demonstrate the ability to think critically and communicate ideas clearly and effectively
Assessment	30158-01 : 2000 Word Essay : Coursework (50%) 30158-02 : 2000 word Essay OR 1500 word Critical Report : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 1x 2000 word essay. Essay titles to be chosen from a list provided by module leader (50%) And EITHER 1x 1500 word critical report on a specified policy document or NGO report. Students can pick from a range of reports selected by the convenor. OR A second 2000 word essay from a list provided by module leader. (50%) Reassessment: None as LH module (unless Extenuating circumstances apply)
Other
Reading List