Texts:

Jordan Ayan Aha! 10 ways to Free Your Creative Spirit (you will also be asked to choose one of the books from the "Further Readings" section of Aha! to read and review) Edmond Rostand.

DESCRIPTION:

The course is designed to help guide you toward your own creativity through readings, exercises, and especially via individual and group projects. Guest speakers are integral to this course. This semester we feature Dr. Richard Lieberman, Director of the LaGuardia-Wagner Archives, with whom we will be doing a creative writing project. Also essential are field trips, which are required.and, if feasible, will be scheduled during class hours.

ATTENDANCE:

You are allowed 3 hours class absence without penalty. (Note: Tuesday's class meets for two hours) Any additional absences will affect your grade. You will not be given credit for the course if you are absent more than 5 hours of class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class and lateness is not acceptable. Four incidences of lateness will be counted as one hour of absence.. Attendance is also taken on field trips.

MATERIALS:

You need to keep a notebook which will also serve as a "creative sketchbook," and a portfolio for your projects, both of which will be submitted to the instructor during the term. It is also highly recommended that you create an additional "focus" or "visual" journal as part of your portfolio.

GRADING:

Though there will be several quizzes and one major test on the principles of creative thinking. Homework is usually related to the texts; 70% of your final grade is based on group and individual projects.

Participation:	10%
Homework:	10%
Quizzes and Tests:	10%
Individual Projects:	50%
Group Projects	20% (including "Best Works on Paper")

 

TOPICS, READINGS, PROJECTS

Week 1:

What is Creative Thinking? Start journal.
What can be measured in creativity? Read Aha! 12-22. My 7 intelligences (essay).
Capturing my ideas Aha! 50-56. Create Ground Rules.
Strategy 7.

Week 2:

Living Creatively. Written project: haiku.
Multi-intelligence. Read Aha! 23-28 Begin portfolio."Voice."
Strategy 1.

Week 3:

My Creative CORE. Read Aha! 28-39. sumie project.
Add critique to Journal.
Brain states. Aha! 231-255.
Strategy 6.

Week 4:

The Creative Process. Submit Journal (1).
Aha! 40-44. Choose "Further Reading"

Week 5:

Serendipity/Synchronicity/Chaos. Read Aha! 45-49. Polish portfolio.
Strategy 5.

Week 6:

The Voice of Judgment (VOJ). Submit portfolio (1)
Aha! 73-76.
Strategy 2.

Week 7:

A Creative Environment. Feng Shui project,
Aha! 80-103. Group project proposals.
Strategy 4.

Week 8:

Collaboration. Aha! 68-79. Find a mentor project.
Play/humor. Aha! 125-130. Begin group projects
Strategy 8.

Week 9:

Reading creatively Aha! 143-160. Submit Journal (+review of book).
Strategy 9.

Week 10:

Right Brain Drawing/Music making Aha! 161-180 "Best Works" due
Strategy 10

Week 11:

Review of Creative Thinking. Aha! 273-28. Personal "Best Works"

Week 12:

Final group projects presented. Submit final portfolio (2)

Week 13:

"Best Works on Paper" developed in and out of class.

Week 14:

Final Exam

Note:

The above schedule of assignments is subject to considerable change relating to availability of computer labs, field trips, etc.

NB

This class will be have a special emphasis on technology and, especially, internet technology. You will need access to a computer with internet capabilities. You may use your home or LaGuardia email address. Email your written work to me [preferred: Word documents as email attachment unless]