EPSY 5750: Creativity (Spring 2009)
Instructor:
Email:
WNT00001@UCONNVM.UCONN.EDU On-Line
Office Hours: By appointment
Second email:
tremblywn@mansfieldct.org
It
is expected that students will read and understand everything below. Questions
are sincerely welcomed.
Course
Description: The
major purpose of this course is to study the theoretical and practical aspects
of creativity- what is creativity, how do we develop it in ourselves and in our
students. The course is an overview of major definitions, theories, and
research related to the study of creativity and the creative individual. Class
members will learn techniques for stimulating creative thinking as well as
strategies for adapting existing curricula to develop creative thinking
abilities in students. Topics also include the assessment of creative thinking,
methods for enhancing personal creative abilities, and techniques for examining
the creative process.
Course
Objectives: As a
result of participation in this course, students should:
A. Describe the major theories and
models of creativity that attempt to describe creative people, creative
processes, and creative products.
B. Describe factors that influence the
development, assessment, and evaluation of creative potential in individuals.
C. Apply techniques for developing
creative thinking abilities in students.
These will include brainstorming, attribute listing, SCAMPER, synectics,
and creative problem solving.
D. Discuss, in an on-line format, class
activities, practices, issues in creativity, and organizational strategies that
support the development of creativity.
E. Increase personal creative abilities.
Text: Creativity Is Forever 5th edition Gary A. Davis The text contains excellent end of
chapter reviews. For the most part these
will not be assigned. This is a new edition; older editions will not be useful.
Helpful hint: The
student is strongly encouraged to complete the exercises. End of chapter summaries are also quite
useful. (Optional- Recommended
for Gr. K-3: Creativity 1,2,3 Cray-Andrews, M. & Baum, S. [1993].
Other
Optional
readings: These
are provided for those who would like to pursue a topic in greater detail.
YOU WILL NOT BE EVALUATED ON OPTIONAL MATERIALS, but you may, of
course, cite them as references if you choose to read any of them.
Important
notes: (Sorry if this appears unfriendly but I truly need all students to be
aware of ALL of this information)
1.
All due dates for the course are listed in the "Course Calendar".
2.
Assume you have at least an "A-" unless the instructor has
emailed you concerning grades.
3.
The instructor is sometimes remiss regarding informing
students about specific grades. Please feel
free to inquire about
a specific grade, or about your grade in
general at any time.
4.
Any and all questions are sincerely welcomed at any time.
5.
Students should expect a reduction in grade for late work
unless a prior arrangement has been
reached with the instructor.
6.
WARNING: AS THE END OF THE COURSE APPROACHES
DEADLINES BEGIN TO FALL VERY CLOSE TO
EACH OTHER.
PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID UNNECESSARY STRESS.
Units:
The course will consist of eight units, each lasting either one or two
weeks. One weekend will be included in
the time period for each unit. Each unit
will contain the following components:
Instructor’s
Notes: This is the
equivalent of the lecture portion of the course. It will be a brief attempt
to focus your study of the unit, as lecture is not applicable to the format.
Mini-
Projects: There
will be four creative mini-projects assigned. These are attempts to allow the
student to develop and or express her/his creativity either alone or in a
group. Creative mini-projects will be posted on-line as a form of “class
presentation”, and as a way to share information that may come up on the Final
Examination. Unless otherwise stated,
on-line discussion of mini-projects is optional. Due dates for Mini-
Projects do not coincide with end of unit deadlines. (25% of final
grade)
Assignments: Each unit will include an “Assignment” section featuring one
or more brief assignments. Responses should be emailed to the instructor. (15%
0f Final Grade)
Major
Creative Project:
This should be something you actually create, design, invent... Rather than give details or suggestions, the
instructor would prefer to dialogue with the student about her/his ideas along
these lines. There are myriad ways of
being creative and uncountable directions for the student to go with this
project. Regarding presentation, if the
project is visual it can be videotaped or photographed; if it’s an audio, it
can be recorded on CD. The product does
not necessarily have to be delivered to the instructor, as long as he sees and/or
hears it in as much detail and with as much accuracy as possible (There are
ways in which almost any project could be presented)- think possibilities, not
limitations. Work from your strengths. Attempt that creative project you’ve always
said you wanted to try (if it’s too big for the time frame let’s discuss how
much of it is reasonable to complete during the semester). This should be a
joyful project not an assignment.
You should look forward to the time you spend on this aspect of the
course. (due May 1; 25% of final grade)
On-Line
Discussions: You will be required to post at
least three times (>100 words each) during each unit of
study: The first posting must be your reaction to the instructor's statement
under: On-Line Class Discussion Topic:, the second and third postings
should be reactions to postings of other students in class. Each posting must contain your own ideas,
opinions, reactions and/or findings. Each
must be supported by the text, or by other sources (cite the source, but it
is not necessary to do so formally- ex.: “as Maslow says in Davis (P. 27)”; “as
G. B. Jones states in her book, Creativity Must Be Stopped” [I made that
one up]). “I agree with Cindy” is not an
acceptable posting. The instructor will take part in the discussions from time
to time. MORE IS NOT BETTER. I am
far more interested in the quality of your postings than in the quantity and
length; HOWEVER, if your passion is aroused around an issue please feel free to
go on as long as you feel it is necessary and useful, and to post as many times
as you like. All on-line postings must
be posted within the time frame of the unit. (15% of final grade)
Examination:
The final exam will involve application of the course content. In keeping with the nature and subject matter
of the course, the exam will be approached by the instructor in a creative
manner. Student input will be a major part of the process. The exam will
be open book open note, done at the student’s own pace, with upper word limits for answers. (due May 4; 20% of
final grade)
Final
Date to Submit Work: In order to avoid and "Incomplete"
(which CAN be made up), all work must be received by the instructor no later
than May 5.
On-Line
Office Hours: Office
hours are by arrangement unless the need should arise for formal, scheduled
office hours.
Contacting
the Instructor:
Please feel free to email the instructor at any time. Except in the case of extraordinary
circumstances, you should expect a response within twenty-four hours.
Note:
Attempting to teach and learn a course in creativity in an on-line
format presents challenges for both the instructor and the students. The instructor has made every effort to
anticipate difficulties and complications, but undoubtedly, issues will
arise. It is the responsibility of the
student to communicate problems, issues, and confusions to the instructor so
that these may be resolved in as painless a manner as possible.
In contemplating the amount and difficulty of work
included in the course, the instructor took into account the fact that there
will be no “live” class meetings, and no commuting time. The fact that, in many cases, students are
working full time was also taken into consideration.
The “on-line discussion” portion of the class is a
vital component. It will provide us the
opportunity for “class discussion.” The
instructor will participate to the extent that he will attempt to refocus
discussion and provide ideas and suggestions that have not come up.
Please understand that the instructor will make every
attempt to make himself available to answer questions in a timely manner.
Whenever a due date is not given for
an assignment, project… it is expected that it will be completed and received
by the instructor by the last date of the particular unit of which it is a
part.
Some of the ideas used for this course
came from Dr. Del Siegle and Dr. Susan Baum.