Teaches students to think, both critically and creatively, not only about 'art' but about other things as well. This book is intended for both students and those would-be art mavens who find themselves wondering what to make of art today.

How does this term 'art' work, and why does it matter? Written by an award-winning teacher as a response to the challenge increasingly voiced by many of his students, 'What is 'art', anyway, and why should I care?', this book is a welcome response that aims to bring readers into meaningful relationships with art. In the process, it teaches them to think, both critically and creatively, not only about 'art' but about anything at all. "(Re)Thinking "Art": A Guide for Beginners" is a wonderful read for both students and all those would-be art mavens who find themselves wondering what to make of art today.

List of IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: What's The Big Idea?1. Being Human2. The History of 'Art'3. The 'History of Art'4. 'Art,' Lately5. 'Art' and Language6. (Re)Thinking 'Art'7. Pragmatics8. Or, Maybe ...BibliographyIndex