# FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR 035E - What Is Beauty? Semester: Fall | Year offered: 2026 | Link: [Course Website](https://locator.tlt.harvard.edu/course/colgsas-224655/2026/fall/19475) Beauty does not lie in the eye of the beholder, nor is it an inherent property of things; it is a tool for understanding that individuality and objectivity are not the only realities, and that more important than both is the social and distinctly human capacity to develop a shared subjectivity and thereby build a community. Beauty fosters sociality and forges bonds, which is why it has been a vital concept in every human civilization. In the first part of the seminar, we will analyze Immanuel Kant's aesthetics; then we will study the evolution of beauty throughout Western history, drawing examples primarily from the culture of a country, Italy, that has successfully self-fashioned itself as the land of beauty. Project-based and collaborative assignments will promote informed discussions and student participation. At the end of the semester, students will take part in a convivial activity at Prof. Erspamer's home to discover the beauty of cooking a pasta alla carbonara together while discussing what we have learned in the seminar. **NOTE: Dinner preparations at Prof. Erspamer's home will take place on Monday, November 30, starting at 6:00 p.m., in lieu of the last afternoon class; Students who successfully participate in the program will be invited to apply to the summer study abroad program, "Beauty, Community, and Imagination", (Torino, Trento and, Siena, 2027)** --- [### Francesco Erspamer ](/people/francesco-erspamer) Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures (Italian) Academic Degrees: Laurea in Lettere, Diploma di perfezionamento, Università di Roma “La Sapienza” Research Interests: Renaissance culture; intellectual history; modern and contemporary Italian novel; literature and politics. Erspamer’s book reviews appear... ![Francesco](/sites/g/files/omnuum8296/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-04/erspamer-2.jpg?itok=iXefTqKH) See also:- [ Francesco Erspamer ](/instructor/francesco-erspamer) - [ Fall 2026 ](/term/fall-2026) - [ First-Year Seminar ](/class-categories/first-year-seminar) - [ Romance Studies ](/language/romance-studies)