Course Description
Basic theory and practice of creative thinking techniques, including ideation strategies and group problem solving techniques.
Athena Title
Creativity Instruct
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in EPSY 7240E
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
As a result of this course, participants will be able to: identify possible blocks to an individual's creativity and strategies for overcoming those blocks. facilitate creative thinking techniques designed to develop creative thinking in children and adults. evaluate techniques for developing creative thinking. synthesize and adapt the creative thinking techniques to fit a variety of cultural contexts and situations. Related Objectives EPSY 8240 is designed: to increase the consciousness of the vital importance of creative effort for all people in all cultures with respect to professional activities and in personal living, and to strengthen motivation to utilize personal creative potential; to develop an attitude of self-confidence in the ability to be deliberately creative and to heighten sensitivity to the problems that surround us; to improve abilities associated with creativity, particularly improvement in the ability to produce original ideas of high quality for the solution of problems; and to practice identification and application of several models for creative problem solving and critical thinking to solve personal and professional problems in education.
Topical Outline
Course Topics: Overcoming blocks to creativity What is creativity? Divergent Thinking Fluency, Flexibility, Originality & Elaboration Metaphorical Thinking - Synectics Creative Problem Solving DeBono's Thinking Course Creativity in the Content Areas