Aesthetics & Art Criticism
Graduate inquiry into what makes something art, how we judge it, and the frameworks critics use to argue.
Dr. Helena Vasquez
Philosophy of Art
What Makes Something Art?
Theories of art, and who gets to decide.
Frameworks of Critique
How critics build an argument about a work.
Beauty, Taste & the Sublime
Is aesthetic judgment merely personal?
Common questions
Who is "Aesthetics & Art Criticism" for?
It is written for learners at Master's level (Graduate), and for anyone older who wants a clear refresher on arts. Graduate inquiry into what makes something art, how we judge it, and the frameworks critics use to argue. There is no application or entry test — you can start the first lesson straight away.
How long does the course take?
There are 3 lessons totalling 31 minutes of reading and quizzes, laid out over 2 units. You can move at your own pace — progress is saved as you go.
What do I need to know before starting?
No prior coursework is assumed. The course opens with "What Makes Something Art?", covering theories of art and institutions, so the foundations are built in rather than expected.
Is the course free?
Yes. Every course on Monster Class is completely free, with no credit card, trial period or paywall. Creating a free account simply saves your progress, XP and place on the leaderboard across devices.