Art learning as an integral part of the U.S. students’ general education
Keywords:
art education, aesthetic literacy, experiential education, integration, the U.S. general educationAbstract
This paper reflects on art learning as an integral component of general education in the U.S. higher education settings and discusses the merits of its inclusion in different academic disciplines. Shedding light on the possibilities for art learning to be facilitated in other disciplines, it also focuses on the concept of aesthetic literacy and argues art education involves the explicit teaching of knowledge and understandings as well as forming the ability to make aesthetic judgments that enhance the aesthetic literacy. The arguments for the inclusion of art learning and its facilitating aesthetic experiences in general education, ranging from the impact on society to teaching creativity, are considered. Main styles of integration of art with other academic disciplines are enlarged upon.
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