About This Course

This course offers students a practical, step-by-step introduction to the philosophical study of the creative experience. Students will examine various theories of creativity as they have been developed by influential psychologists, philosophers, and artists in the field of creativity studies and will have the opportunity to examine how these theories are exemplified in the lives of some of the greatest writers, artists, musicians, and literary figures of the past half-century. Among the 20th century artists that will be used to illustrate creative theory in practice are Bob Dylan, John Lennon, the Beat Generation writers, and some of the most interesting young poets of our own time.

The course will also provide an opportunity for students to tap into their own creative potential by working on a unique creative project using various media (digital photography, Photoshop, and book-making programs). Continuous ongoing assistance by the instructor will be provided to students in implementing this project.
Structure of the Course

Warning: This is not a typical college class....There will be no formal lectures, no tests or quizzes, nothing--absolutely nothing--to memorize . Instead, each of our classes this semester will be divided into the following types of educational experiences:
  • Seminars – seminars will be held on campus and will involve intensive discussions on the class readings. Depending upon the weather, some of these classes may be held outdoors.
  • Workshops – workshops are hands-on sessions devoted to learning how to use the latest technology to produce a creative project. These workshops will be held in a computer lab in Wilbur Hall.
  • Field Trips – the course includes 4 field trips into Manhattan (Fall and Summer only).
Required Texts
  • Tracy Kline.  The Creative Self  [Proof of Text]
  • Tracy Kline. Self Creations [Proof of Text] 
  • Books on Reserve: A wide assortment of provocative works have been placed on reserve in the library for your creative inspiration. See below for details.
What You Will Need for This Class

The following items will be needed for this class:
  • A digital camera (with macro and black and white shooting capability, and, ideally video). Several Canon Powershots—which are the best inexpensive digital cameras around—are available to be borrowed by students from the Molloy College Media Center (opposite the library on the second floor of the Kellenberg building).
  • A small notebook to record your ideas and inspirations while on field trips.
  • Recommended: 2-3 gb flash drive
Attendance Policy

Because the schedule of this course is so intensive, we expect you to come to class faithfully each week. Students who miss class for any reason, will automatically have 3 points deducted from the attendance and participation grade for the course for each class they miss. 

Grade Policy

Your grade for this class will be based upon the following:
  • creative writing:   total = 300 points
  • photography:   total = 300 points
  • self-portrait book:  total = 300 points
  • attendance and participation:  total = 100 points
The highest number of points that you can get for this class will be 1000.  The number of points that you actually receive at the end of the semester will be divided by 10, giving you your grade for the class.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)