ABSTRACT

Ralph A. Smith provides a theory of aesthetic education that addresses the need to revitalize the capacity for genuine judgment in society, reaffirm the ideal of excellence in culture, and reorder our thoughts about teaching the arts in schools. The book presents an image of the curriculum as itinerary, preparing the young to traverse the world of art with adroitness and sensitivity.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction: building a sense of art

chapter 1|23 pages

Art in cultural context

chapter 2|18 pages

Art in philosophical context

chapter 4|30 pages

Examples of aesthetic criticism

chapter 5|25 pages

Teaching aesthetic skills

chapter 6|22 pages

Toward an art world curriculum

chapter 7|17 pages

Issues: the two cultures and policy

chapter 8|21 pages

Issues: ideology and postmodernism