News2015October
News from the Graduate Program in Critical & Creative Thinking
University of Massachusetts Boston19 October 2015
Student Matters
Spring 2016 Courses
Registration for spring 2016 courses begins on November 2. Continuing students may register through WISER, and those taking courses as non-degree students may register here: http://caps-courses.umb.edu/courses/spring/cr/gr/crcrth/.Hybrid courses involve face-to-face meetings on campus and allow students at a alstance to join via web conference during weekly meetings. Please register for either the face-to-face or online section based on how you'll participate.
CRCRTH 602 Creative Thinking (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Mondays, starts January 25 (Face-to-face: class #8136, online: class #7815).
CRCRTH 616 Dialogue Processes (online), Starts February 1 (Class #7816).
CRCRTH 649L Scientific and Political Change (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Wednesdays, starts February 3 (Face-to-face: class #7814, online: class #7817).
CRCRTH 688 Reflective Practice (hybrid), Class meetings on some Thursdays, starts February 4 (Face-to-face: class #6963, online: class #7819).
CRCRTH 693 Action Research for Educational, Professional, and Personal Change (hybrid), 4:00-6:45pm Tuesdays, starts February 2 (Face-to-face: class #6956, online: class #7818).
CRCRTH 697 Special Topics Course: Positive Psychology (hybrid), 1:00-3:45pm Mondays, starts January 25 (Class numbers TBA).
Applications for the spring 2016 semester are due on November 1 (October 1 for international students). Those with applications already started may check the status of their application here (using the id and password supplied to you by Graduate Studies).
CCT Community
CCT Assistant Director Jeremy Szteiter recently participated in the U.S. Department of State's International Information Program as a visitor to the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. He presented workshops to teachers around the topics of integrating critical thinking into the curriculum and the use of critical thinking and reflective practice in support of teacher professional development. He also was interviewed by the Jordan Times about the opportunities for development of critical and creative thinking in local schools.
CCT Professor Carol Smith (retired) has recently been approved for Emeritus status by the UMass Boston Chancellor and Provost.
Student visitor to CCT from Portugal, Liliana Abreu, seeks a room to rent from from 1st of March until 30 of June. Please email her host, peter.taylor@umb.edu to get in touch.
CCT Events
CCT Community Open House
Thursday, October 22, 2015, 7:00-8:30pm
UMass Boston, Wheatley Hall, Room W04-170, and online in Google+ Hangout for those who RSVP to cct@umb.edu.
Free and open to all.
Theme: Challenges and Opportunities in the Teaching and Learning of Critical Thinking
What are some of the key issues and questions involved in teaching with and for critical thinking? What are we learning about ways that teachers and students can engage in critical thinking within the classroom and beyond? During this open house, we will hear about some of the findings by CCT assistant director Jeremy Szteiter from a recent trip to Amman, Jordan, where he participated in and presented workshops to local educators around the development of using critical thinking in teaching practices and as the basis for change in the direction of schools. We will then share a dialogue about what we know about the teaching of critical thinking, what we still need to know, and possible next steps. All are welcome to join this open house and explore this timely topic, as well as speak with others in the CCT program and learn more. For more information, please visit http://www.cct.umb.edu/CCTNetwork22October2015.html
Additional fall 2015 open house events are planned for November 19 and December 10.
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
Chelsea Berry in Concert: A Benefit for the Cape Ann Symphony
Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 2:00pm
Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA
Solo concert, meet the artist, and post-concert reception at 3:30pm with live entertainment provided by guitarist Nate Weaver (CCT '12) and vocalist Brittany Betts. Refreshments will be served.
For tickets and more information: http://www.capeannsymphony.org/season/index.php?c=chelsea-berry-at-the-shalin-liu-performance-center&s=/2015.php
Events
IDEAS Boston
October 28, 2015 at UMass Boston
IDEAS UMass Boston is a unique event where some of the region’s leading thinkers from every imaginable sector push boundaries and share their latest big ideas to create fertile ground for innovation. For more information and to register: https://www.umb.edu/ideas
Be the Change: Exploring Graduate Programs in Public Service
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Barney Frank, Former Congressman
hosted by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies
Monday, November 9: 6:00-8:30pm
Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA
Registration: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/be-the-change-exploring-graduate-programs-in-public-service-registration-18909036437?aff=ConstantContactInvite
We are honored to welcome former Congressman Barney Frank, who will deliver a keynote talk on the critical importance of public service. Guests will also hear from and talk with faculty, students, and alumni representing the PhD, master's and certificate programs at the McCormack Graduate School.
Join us for an exploration of our diverse graduate programs and how they can provide the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed for a successful and meaningful career in government, nonprofit, and the mission-based private sector.
Building Inclusive Communities Global Conference
December 3-4, 2015, Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA
An international conference hosted by UMass Boston's School for Global Inclusion and Social Developmentthat brings together leaders across industries and disciplines to foster new strategies for increased inclusion. Our attendees and presenters are policymakers, educators, faith leaders, and entrepreneurs–as well as self-advocates who are making inclusion a reality in underserved populations.
For more information and registration: http://www.buildinginclusion.org/
Register by November 30th for early-bird rates.
Opportunities
CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) of Tisch College at Tufts University is seeking a responsible, organized Administrative and Research Assistant. CIRCLE is a nationally-recognized research organization that focuses on youth civic learning and engagement, and our research is largely supported by competitive external funding. For more information on CIRCLE’s projects, please visit www.civicyouth.org.
The student will be working on assigned tasks in two main areas. First is a federally-funded research project on the impact of national service and the other is general administrative duties related to CIRCLE’s daily operation and research work. Examples of tasks include performing literature reviews, conducting various types of online searches, proof-reading and copy-editing, and coordinating meetings and contacts for CIRCLE staff.
The position is 8-10 hours per week, Monday through Friday. The student will be asked to report to Tisch College for their work hours, though occasional remote work can be arranged.
All interested candidates must submit a professional resume and a cover letter to Felicia Sullivan at Felicia.Sullivan@tufts.edu.
The UMass Boston Graduate Student Assembly (http://gsaumb.wordpress.com) has announced several grants for graduate students. To apply, please see full descriptions and requirements on the web site at
http://gsaumb.wordpress.com or email gsassembly@umb.edu.
- Professional Development Grants (Max $250 or $400; Rolling Deadline). For students traveling to attend conferences, GSA offers two kinds of grants. If you are presenting at a conference you may apply to a $400 grant. If you are attending only, you may apply to a $250 grant. These funds are post-travel reimbursements and must be requested at least 30 days ahead of the travel dates. Applications are rolling until April 15th.
- Spayne Thesis Grant (Max $1500; Deadline Nov 15 for Fall). This is a competitive grant is awarded to a maximum of three students every fall and spring semester for cutting-edge research that contributes to the completion of a master's thesis or capstone project. Applications for this semester are due before 11:45pm November 15th. See our website for details on application materials.
- Bollinger Dissertation Grant (Max $1500; Deadline Nov 15 for Fall). This is also a competitive grant awarded to a maximum of three students every fall and spring semester for cutting-edge research that contributes to the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Applications are due before 11:45 pm November 15th. See website for details.
- Non-Thesis/Dissertation Research Grant (Max $500; Rolling Deadline). This grant is for research work that does not directly contribute to the completion of a thesis, capstone project, or a dissertation and is not better suited for the grants above.
- Clubs and Programming (Variable Amounts; Rolling Deadline). If you would like GSA to help you sponsor an event or a club for graduate students (must be open to all graduate students) you may make a request through our website as well. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Call for Proposals: OLC Innovate 2016: Innovations in Blended and Online Learning
Online Learning Consortium and MERLOT are pleased to announce our new first-ever OLC Innovate 2016: Innovations in Blended and Online Learning. This conference will be held April 20-22, 2016 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Proposals are due by November 9th, 2015. For proposal guidelines and information, visit http://onlinelearningconsortium.org/olc-innovate/cfp/
Resources
Winds & Waves Magazine, from the Institute of Cultural Affairs International (September issue). "The Wind & Waves magazine seeks to highlight stories, projects and events that make a difference in peoples' lives around the world."
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:
The sound of climate change from the Amazon to the Arctic
To Read:
Hero or Coward: Could Skipping My Student Loan Payments Start a Revolution?
How the Prospective Student Mindset has Evolved in the Digital Age
A Look at the Museum of the Future
High school creativity and innovation now mandatory
Business Models for a Modern Artist
No shushing, please: The new libraries aren't just “book temples,” but stunning spaces for designers, robot handlers–and tourists
Lecture Me. Really.
Insanity In Education: 52 Mistakes We Make Over And Over Again
The Unexpected Schools Championing the Liberal Arts
The Bad Things That Happen When People Can’t Deal With Ambiguous Situations
The Unbelievable Power of the Home-Schooling Lobby
You May Be a Musician and Not Even Know It
Histograpy: Every dot is a historic event
Delicate Pencil Lead Sculptures Carved by Salavat Fidai
Humor
How and Why to Use 'Whom' in a Sentence