NOW ENROLLING | Aesthetic Study (Spring)

Course Introduction

DURATION: 6 WEEKS Some artworks invite prolonged contemplation without clear explanation of their emotional impact. At other times, a lack of reaction amid collective admiration may raise doubts about one’s sensitivity to art. This course does not seek to define what is beautiful, but rather to examine why beauty resonates. Beginning with canonical works from art history, the course unpacks the layered mechanisms of aesthetic experience—drawing from philosophy, psychology, and cultural context. Emphasis is placed on cultivating perceptual awareness and independent judgment, rather than conveying fixed theories. Aesthetic understanding is approached as both an intellectual inquiry and a way of being in the world. Close looking becomes a means to expand perception, fostering deeper connections between individuals, artworks, and the surrounding world. COURSE CONTENT · Each session centers on 1–2 significant works from art history · Integrates philosophical inquiry × visual analysis × cultural context · Focuses on perception and reflection over theoretical instruction Key Learning Outcomes · Insights into the psychological and philosophical foundations of aesthetic impact · Frameworks for interpreting abstract or unfamiliar artworks with empathy and rigor · Development of independent aesthetic judgment and critical reflection · Strategies for applying aesthetic thinking to both creative and everyday contexts