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.
Introduction: Building a Sense of Art 1. Art in Cultural Context 2. Art in Philosophical Context 3. Art in Educational Context - The Concept of Aesthetic Criticism 4. Examples of Aesthetic Skills 5. Teaching Aesthetic Skills 6. Toward an Artworld Curriculum 7. Issues: The Two Cultures and Policy 8. Issues: Ideology and Postmodernism
