AESTHETICS & VALUES
FIU HONORS COLLEGE
Faculty: John Bailly

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Aesthetics & Values seminar examines the vital role visual art plays in the social and cultural dialogue surrounding controversial issues. It investigates how artists have challenged or enforced authority by creating new aesthetics. It further explores how art is used to initiate, accelerate, or combat social change.

The heart of the course is the Aesthetics & Values Research and Exhibition Project.  This annual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their resourcefulness and creativity through the research, curation, and organization of an on-campus exhibition of contemporary Miami artists.   After forming committees (Exhibition, Fundraising, and Public Relations) and assuming personal tasks (designing a website, soliciting funds, preparing a press release, etc) students are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the exhibition, including selecting artists, securing funding, negotiating gallery space, working with university administration, and managing local media.