News2015June
News from the Graduate Program in Critical & Creative Thinking
University of Massachusetts Boston2 June 2015
Student Matters
Registration is open for these summer 2015 Critical and Creative Thinking courses: There is space remaining for non-degree students as well as for CCT students.
CRCRTH 611 Seminar in Critical Thinking (online). Theme: Critical Thinking in Business. July 13 - Aug. 20. Register for class #1968.
CRCRTH 618 Creative Thinking, Collaboration, and Organizational Change (hybrid) July 17 - Aug. 1, Fr,Sa; 9:00-4:15pm. Face-to-face students register for class #2316, online students register for #2317.
CRCRTH 619 Biomedical Ethics (online). July 13 - Aug. 20. Register for class #1970.
Fall 2015 courses: current students may register now, and non-degree students may register starting July 27th. Please note that face-to-face students and online students should register for the appropriate section for hybrid courses:
CRCRTH 601 Critical Thinking (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Tuesdays from September 15 - December 15, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6478, online: class #6355).
CRCRTH 630 Criticism and Creativity in Literature & the Arts (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Thursdays from September 17 - December 17, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6479, online: class #6357).
CRCRTH 650 Mathematical Thinking (hybrid), 7:00-9:45pm Mondays from September 14 - December 14, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6480, online: class #6358).
CRCRTH 651 Advanced Cognitive Psychology (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Mondays from September 14 - December 14, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6481, online: class #6360).
CRCRTH 670 Thinking, Learning, and Computers (hybrid), 7:00-9:45pm Thursdays from September 17 - December 17, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6482, online: class #6363).
CRCRTH 688 Reflective Practice (hybrid), Dates and Times TBA, from September 11 - December 11, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6483, online: class #6365).
CRCRTH 692 Processes of Research and Engagement (hybrid), 7:00-9:45pm Tuesdays, from September 15 - December 15, 2015 (Face-to-face: class #6484, online: class #6366).
CCT Community
Congratulations to May 2015 CCT graduates! Steve Guenin, Rhoda Maurer, Cassie Tighe-Hansen, Michael Chalukian, Todd Erickson, Michael Wienke, Maria Nardi. Students completed capstone projects and presentations recently, in addition to attending the UMass Boston 2015 spring commencement (photos). Rhoda gave a speech at a dinner held by the College for graduates.
CCT Professor Orin Davis has published a new blog post: The Extra Mile No One Will Go
CCT Events
Critical and Creative Thinking Program Open House events will resume in the fall. Please see future newsletters for details
Alum and CCT associates Notes
CCT alums and associates are encouraged to send items of interest to the Critical and Creative Thinking community to be included in future newsletters. Please submit events, announcements, and opportunities through this form: http://bit.ly/CCTSICWi
Events
Reflection, Connection, and Mindfulness - a full day workshop
June 18th, 2015, at Wellesley College Club, 727 Washington St., Wellesley, MA
sponsored by the Public Conversations Project
A growing body of evidence shows us that reflection is a powerful tool for personal transformation, and also makes a difference in group discussions, encouraging greater participation and enhancing collaboration. But what does "reflection" even mean? How can we actually integrate "mindfulness" into our workplaces, our board rooms, even our family dinner tables - in ways that strengthen our common bonds? Join us June 18th as we explore reflective practices that can be adapted to any meeting situation. Come play with reflective and artistic exercises that allow a group to tap into its deepest purposes, avoid groupthink, limit mistakes, and get creative. For full details about the program, see:
http://www.publicconversations.org/events/reflection-connection-and-mindfulness
For cost and registration information, see: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eaczhnnqb5fa31cc&oseq=&c=&ch=
Create: Detroit ideas festival
June 30, 2015, 2:00-6:30pm, College for Creative Studies
This year’s Create: Detroit, featuring city builders, city leaders, place makers and urbanists from across North America, will focus on how to build a more creative and inclusive city.
For more information and to register: http://www.create-detroit.com/
35th International Conference on Critical Thinking & Education Reform
July 25-30, 2015, Berkeley, CA
For registration and other information, see http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/35th-international-conference-on-critical-thinking-and-educa/1204
Arts Education Partnership National Forum
Theme: The Arts Leading the Way to Student Success
September 1-2, 2015, Arlington, VA
For more information and to register: http://www.aep-arts.org/aep-2015-national-forum/
Wisconsin Science Festival: Curiosity Unleashed
October 22-25, 2015, various locations in Madison, WI and other cities
Program information: http://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/
Call for proposals (due by June 19th): https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/media/7385488324c9b5bcb141cc2b177d12af.pdf
Opportunities
Summer Camp for Faculty: Creative Thinking with Technology
June 3-5, 2015; 8:45am - 3:30pm at UMass Boston
A three-day collaborative professional development opportunity for UMass Boston faculty teaching online or blended courses.
For more information and to register, see https://slate.adobe.com/a/W9XbV
Bridge Education Abroad Institute (BEA) 3rd Annual Summer Program
July 26 - August 5, 2015
on the campuses of Trinity College Dublin, and University College Cork
The program is a ten day summer institute for ambitious students and young professionals. We strive to challenge our students through a vigorous “real life” experience that features lecturers from some of the most prestigious universities in the word. Participants can look forward to team projects, simulations, press conferences and cultural excursions and learn from professors and guest speakers on the topics of: Ethno-national conflict and Irish identity, public policy, international relations and security, diplomacy, and global leadership.
For more information, costs, and scholarship information, see:
http://www.beainstitute.org/beai/ireland/
Resources
Peace and Collaborative Development Network
American Federation of Teachers: Quality of Worklife Survey
30hands Learning Community: a resource for developing digital storytelling and collaborative learning for educators.
The ArtScience Prize
Food for Thought
(additional web links and posts can also be found on CCT's Diigo pages. General critical and creative thinking focus: https://groups.diigo.com/group/ccreflect; Science in a Changing World focus: https://groups.diigo.com/group/sicwumb)
To Watch:
Touch your screen: the Golden Touch video
Since you were wondering what happens when you pour molten aluminum into a watermelon...
Amazing sound imitations from the lyre bird
Fostering Deeper Learning though Promoting Reflective Practice and Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Students (presentation by U. of Calgary Nursing program)
To Read:
Nonacademic Skills Are Key To Success. But What Should We Call Them?
Wyoming Has Effectively Made Citizen Science a Crime
Design As A Civil Right
Synesthesia-enabled art
Novelty is not Innovation
Printed Nest: 3D-printed nests bring birds back to their homes
Ananta Bijoy Das Becomes Third Free-Thinking Blogger Killed This Year in Bangladesh
On Critical Thinking, Science, Cause, and Reason: The Windshield-Pitting Mystery Of 1954
Looking for Creativity in Brains Will Take More Creativity
Works in Progress: A very small sampling of the female artists now in their 70s, 80s, and 90s we should have known about decades ago
The Power of “Entanglement”: Implications For School Leaders
The Common Thread in the Ongoing Journalism Narrative: Moving Stories
Searching The Planet To Find Power For The Cloud
TOMS Shoes and the Spiritual Politics of Neoliberalism
Australia's oldest man still knitting for human and animal friends at 109
Boundaries of Media in Artistic Work: Toast Art | Toothpick Art | Lego Art
The Periodic Table Of Design
L’Oreal Forgoes Animal Testing by 3D-Printing Human Skin
Rodent Empathy: Rats Forgo Treats to Rescue a Distressed Cage Mate
35 Ingeniously Creative Packaging Designs that Practically Sell Themselves
What a Creative Neighborhood Looks Like
People Flew These Drones Over Ghost Towns — And the Results Are Haunting
How to Combat Distrust of Science
The Hackathon Fast Track, From Campus to Silicon Valley
You Can’t Escape Noise, Even in the Most Remote Areas on the Planet
Our Schools All Have a Tragic Flaw; Silicon Valley Thinks It Has the Answer
Humor
15 Graduation Caps From Students Who Majored In Snark