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selections from my CCT journey = =

=**Let's start from the beginning **=
 * May 28, 2009**

As I enter into my first semester, I am filled to the brim with feelings of excitement, intrigue, and self growth. A year ago, I had no definite plans to attend grad school, and had no idea the CCT program even existed! Now here I am, 2 days into my first online course, "Seminar in Creative Thinking - Inside the Creative Process: Exploring Blocks and Finding Creative Ground", and I can already feel the inspiration and hear my wheels turning. That is precisely why I chose the CCT program. I wanted a program where I wouldn't simply be inputting information and then regurgitating it out into the world ! I crave that interdisciplinary influence and that process of reflection and understanding why I'm doing what I'm doing, and how i can do it more effectively and creatively.

Because I plan to move through the program rather rapidly, in about 5 semesters, I want to begin thinking about what I might want my capstone synthesis to encompass. Although I'm sure this will unfold, blossom, and possibly even go in unforeseen directions for me over the course of the program, I think it's a good idea to first identify the initial goals that I have set for my experience in and implementation of the CCT program:

1. To explore and grow in my own artistic creative process: Inspiration for a new body of work?!

2. To harness improved critical + creative thinking skills in order to create an innovative non-profit arts organization in the near future

3. To become a more effective communicator, group organizer, and innovative leader of my company, Isobel Music Society

During this summer I will continue to explore my goals and ideas.


 * Stay tuned folks!**

Read my Statement of Purpose : [[file:Statement of Purpose]]
=SUMMER 2009= = = =CCT 612: Seminar in Creativity- Online section =

**Theme: "Inside the Creative Process: Exploring Blocks and Finding Creative Ground"**
Instructor: Suzanne Clark

This was my very first CCT course, and I will honestly miss it. Aside from all that I learned about the psychology of creativity, creative blocks and processes, and ways to holistically nurture creativity, it forced me to be introspective and learn a lot about my own creative process, my own creative blocks, and my own self. The online course was very well-organized and engaging, both by the instructor and the other students. I was very impressed by this as well as by the virtual classroom (Wimba), where we gathered for presentations and discussions. The readings were very enjoyable and informative, and there was never a dull moment at the discussion board. I definitely felt a sense of virtual community that was fostered by the instructor.

The first major project was an online presentation on a creative personality and their process.

[|K.Cobain.pdf]
The second was a paper and accompanying online presentation on one of 3 topic choices: 1. Choose a public creative artist and outline his or her creative block and what was behind it, tying it in with course material. 2. Write a self-reflective paper about your own creative block and what is behind it, tying it in with course material as well as including suggestions on how to move through the block. 3. Choose an aspect of creative blocks you want to know more about and research it, tying it into course material. I chose option 3 because I wanted a challenge. I learned so much in the process of researching for and writing this paper, and Suzanne was very encouraging.

[|Paper: The influence of early childhood development, perfectionism, and gender on performance anxiety- PDF]
=CCT 618: Creative Thinking, Collaboration, & Organizational Change =

Three-week workshop
Week 1: Diversity Awareness. Facilitators: Renae Gray, Gregory Turpin Week 2: Team Building. Facilitator: Allyn Bradford Week 3: Facilitating Participation & Collaboration In Groups. Facilitator: Abby Yanow

I was very impressed with the design of this course, especially since it was only 3 weeks. I felt more comfortable with my classmates and professors by the 2nd week than I have in semester long classes! It was fun, engaging, and packed with information, conversation, activities, and reflection. It made me realize that I tend to take interpersonal communication for granted, and all of the facilitators taught me tools and techniques I can apply to my work and my life to improve my listening, communication, leadership and team building skills.

BRIEF REFLECTION ON SUMMER CCT EXPERIENCE
This summer was the first time in my life I can recall //actively// reflecting on my creative process and on interpersonal communication. These are things I never before realized I took for granted. By learning how to reflect on them, I can now improve on them.

In CCT-612, I learned how important it is as an artist to reflect in order to grow. I also now believe that this is true not only for artists, but for all people, creators, and innovators. This course opened my mind to what I can be capable of by further understanding my creative process and how to foster it. It also gave me confidence that I can teach others how to do the same, which is something I plan to do in teaching graphic design.

In CCT-618, I learned the importance of dialogue and how to use it as a tool for teambuilding. This is important to me as a small business owner, in a company where my two partners and I are all friends who live in different states, and sometimes need to actively work on our working relationship. It was also really great for me to step outside of my comfort zone, as someone who works primarily from home, and work in groups each day of the course. The power of groups is so strong and it inspired me to work more on the group motivation of my company.

I can tie the two courses together with the concepts of listening (listening to my own inner voice and to others), divergent and convergent thinking (in a work or team atmosphere and in my personal creative process), openness to ambiguity (being open to uncertainty and to the ideas of others and to my own creativity & life in general), and last but not least, REFLECTION. I feel prepared to go into my 2nd semester with an open mind and an understanding of these concepts.

=FALL 2009=

=CCT 602: Creative Thinking = Professor: Nina Greenwald

There has definitely been some great growth in my creative thinking this semester, especially because I took this course directly following the summer's Seminar In Creativity. I exited this course asking myself the questions, “What are my strengths? What am I passionate about and good at that I want to hone in on? How do I want to use my creative energy? Is my environment conducive to my being creative in life? How can I improve my environment?” I never before analyzed these things, and after this course I am reminded that I have the power to control them. In the CCT program in general, I notice that the more knowledge and hands-on experience I gain, the more fuel I have to feed my ideas and creativity. Taking Philosophy 501 in conjunction with Creative Thinking this semester, I noticed a lot of overlapping concepts, which I discuss in detail in my PHIL 501 Final Paper below. The connections I made are priceless tools I will carry with me from this point on, both in my career and my everyday, personal life. I have a new-found confidence now that I am armed with these tools!

For my final project, I decided to do an expressive piece (we had the option of doing a research paper, and expressive piece, Julia Cameron's //The Artist's Way//, or a Curriculum Unit) with an accompanying 5 page essay. The essay (see PDF below) explains my creative process in developing this song, and makes interesting connections to the course's readings, lessons, and class activities.

media type="file" key="Take Me Down_demo.mp3" width="144" height="60"

=PHIL 501: Foundations of Philosophical Thought = Professor: Arthur Millman

Over the course of the semester, I felt my mind opening in many ways. I honestly did not know what to expect going in to my first Philosophy course. There was an initial fear of not fully understanding the process or grasping the concepts. What I came to discover throughout the semester was that I already knew how to be philosophical, and that I was doing it unconsciously in my life already, but that I could also learn how to think even more deeply about things. The environment of the class was safe, casual, and nurturing to grow as a philosophical thinker in. Having taken this course simultaneously with Creative Thinking, I discovered several overlapping concepts in new ways of thinking about and looking at issues/problems/thinking, which I discuss in detail in my final paper (below).

I have always considered myself to be pretty open-minded and curious, however, I know that I am guilty of often jumping to conclusions before investigating more deeply. Not taking things at face value is just one way my thinking has changed. This is something that the Plato readings on Socrates have taught me–to question things more and not to always accept the face value. By looking into things more deeply and from different perspectives, I can make unexpected discoveries and connections, and this will help me in being an innovative artist and businessperson.


 * Brief Intro to my paper:** Throughout the semester, I discovered many similar concepts between the two areas of study. The connections I made in my Philosophy and Creative Thinking courses were unexpected. In this paper, I will reflect on and discuss the various connections and how they relate to each area of study as well as to learning, thinking, innovation, and life in general. I will also discuss my thoughts on how I plan to implement these overlapping concepts into my life.



=CCT 602: Criticism and Creativity in Literature & Arts = Professor: Denise Patmon
 * Theme: Multicultural literature for children & adolescents**

This was my fun elective course for the semester! The nature of it allowed me to use my creativity while using critical thinking when analyzing multicultural children's literature. One of the first things we did in the course was a "Literary Odyssey", in which we wrote about our own backgrounds, where we are from, how we grew up, went to school, etc., and how those aspects were/were not conducive to exposure to literature. We analyzed several children/adolescent books from a multicultural perspective. We did a field observation in which we observed a literary event (reading, classroom setting, etc.) and reflected on our observations- Thinking about things like, how did we see multiculturalism in the environment and presented materials? This was an enlightening learning experience because I was unaware of what exists in multicultural children's lit and how it is used or not used in the school system & libraries.

As a potential and hopeful future parent of biracial children, I started thinking a lot about my own concern for multiculturalism in children's lit, and how I could make a contribution. The final project, to write and illustrate a children's book, was inspired for me by a song that my fiance wrote, called "The Rose Parade," and by the collage work of graphic artist and children's book author/illustrator Leo Lionni. The overall message of my book is equality (racial, gender) and it is told through a story about musical instruments. In the process of writing the story, I was able to apply critical and creative thinking. I was also able to be very deliberate with my choices based on Professor Patmon's guidance and expertise over the course of the semester.

= = media type="file" key="The Rose Parade.mp3" width="240" height="20"

BRIEF REFLECTION ON FALL 09
Reflecting on semester/thoughts on support needed for plans for synthesis:

I made many strong connections this semester (see PHIL 501 paper above for details). Overall, my eyes have been opened wider to seeing how I can be more conscious in my thinking. I acknowledge that I don’t have all of the answers, but that I can now use the tools that I’ve acquired to seek MORE information/knowledge/experience/various possible solutions. I’ve UNLEARNED all the “right answers” to become more open to exploring the possibilities and choosing/applying the best for myself and my goals. I’m now looking forward to moving into the Critical Thinking course and seeing how that ties in and affects me.

My ideas for my synthesis include: CCT in concept development in graphic design -My own process/being more creative & effective -Actively applying cct -CCT in concept development as it exists in college GD programs -Continuously fostered throughout the courses -course plan design

Important things to work on: -Creating a support system -Not taking on too many things -The Processes of Research & Engagement course will start to prepare me for developing my synthesis -Summer 2010- Take an elective??? Use extra time in summer to focus on synthesis!!!

__**This song is dedicated to the CCT program:**__ Kate Bush: "Them Heavy People" __http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl4_aTa1MCM__

=SPRING 2010=

=CCT 601: Critical Thinking = Professor: Arthur Millman



=__CCT 692: Processes of Research and Engagement__ =

Professor: Peter Taylor

I entered into this course with some uncertainty of where it would take me, and how successful I would be with such a serious and personal research project. I was pleasantly surprised to find an instructor who acted as an encouraging facilitator, and a room full of peers who acted as a support system. The course itself is strategically designed so that each step carries you along a path of discovery, if you are motivated to follow it. This path allows room for detours and a whole lot of growth. What you end up with in the end of it all is a body of work that will allow for future exploration, and "open book," so to speak. During this course, I really became more confident in myself, my personal work in the world, and HOW I can begin to take action.

The course entails moving through phases of research processes, ending up at a final paper on a research project of your choice of course.



El Perro del Mar: "To Give Love"media type="file" key="06 To give love.mp3" width="240" height="20"
 * Song dedication for Spring 2010:**

=FALL 2010=

=__CCT 693: Action Research__ = Professor: Peter Taylor

=__PSYCH 551: Advanced Cognitive Psychology__ = Professor: Carol Smith

=SPRING 2011=

=__CCT 694: Synthesis (of Theory & Practice)__ = Professor/Advisor: Carol Smith

Final Synthesis Paper: Self-assessment:

=__WOST 597: Gender, Race, and the Complexities of Science & Technology__ = Professors: Peter Taylor and Sally Haslanger (MIT)

Final Project entitled " Breaking the Canon for the Future of Graphic Design History through Feminist Methodologies Research and Development of a PBL Course Model"

Case 2 project: An annotated reading list entitled "Underrepresentation of Women in Design Fields—But Why?"

Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On?"
 * Song dedication for Spring 2011:**

=REFLECTION ON THE PROGRAM=

1. To explore and grow in my own artistic creative process