HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THROUGH AESTHETIC TRAINING: A CASE FOR ESTABLISHING A FINE ARTS REQUIREMENT IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM.

Abstract

John Dewey's formulation of the primacy of aesthetic experience in all human endeavor is investigated in order to promote the inclusion of a fine arts requirement in the curriculum of higher education. In particular, Dewey envisioned art as necessary to develop moral, thus social sensibility because moral precepts derive from imagination, and art is both the child and stimulator of creative imagination. An analysis of the "qualitative experience" concept provides an introduction to Dewey's fully-elaborated aesthetic theory. Subsequently, the role of such experience is evaluated in both personal and social terms. Then, it is argued that the establishment of a fine arts requirement in General Education is necessary to ensure the propagation of the experience. Supporting arguments from educational theorists and behavioral scientists serve to buttress the Dewey proposition as well as to demonstrate that the content of the proposed fine arts course must incorporate theoretical, historical and practical components.