NEW 212-001 – CREATIVITY
Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00-11:50 AM
Lloyd Hall – Room 335
4.00 Credit Hours
University of Alabama – SPRING 2013
Instructor: Jennifer L. Caputo
Office: Room 206 Lloyd Hall
Office Hours: Mon. 3:00-500 PM
(or by appointment)
Email: jlcaputo@as.ua.edu
Phone Number: (205) 348-0779
Department Mailbox: Inside Room 204
Lloyd Hall
Course Description:
This seminar uses creativity as its organizing principle. Human culture, self-awareness, the
creative process, and creative expression are explored through written texts, audio and video
examples, oral and written reports, individual and group projects, conversations with creative
individuals, and out-of-classroom experiences. The course considers questions of values,
ethics, and aesthetics as they are represented in the arts and other creative fields. NEW 212 is
designed to increase student awareness of visual arts, music, theater, dance and other creative
disciplines. Throughout the semester, students will explore and challenge their own creative
processes and acquire scholarly knowledge of creativity.
Learning Outcomes – By the end of the semester students will be able to:
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Demonstrate critical thinking through oral and written communication about creativity,
innovation, and interdisciplinarity in the arts.
Demonstrate an understanding of creativity within a range of historical, social and ethical
contexts.
Demonstrate creative processes through practical application.
Produce individual and collaborative work for class assignments or projects.
Produce a midterm project and an original final creative project.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
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Regular access to a computer or other electronic device with internet access, speakers,
and/or headphones to read articles, listen to audio examples, and view video examples
posted on Blackboard Learn. (All reading, listening, and viewing examples will be
posted on Blackboard Learn. The examples may be modified throughout the semester).
Lined paper or bound notebook.
Sketch paper or sketch pad.
Pens, pencils, markers (a variety of colors if possible).
X-acto knife AND scissors (available at the Supe Store, Michaelʼs, Hobby Lobby, and
other arts supply stores).
“Found objects” for making outdoor sculptures and musical instruments.
Magazines, newspapers, and/or photographs for a book arts activity.
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Assignments and Evaluation:
This course includes a variety of assignments and methods of assessment. Each assignment will
be explained in advance of the due date and assignment instructions will be available on
Blackboard Learn. Students will receive number grades for most assignments, presentations,
class participation, and attendance. The grades will be calculated at the end of the semester
according to the points listed below and converted to letter grades for your final grade for the
course. Total possible points = 100 (plus possible extra credit). Grading rubrics will be available on
Blackboard Learn.
Assignments include:
1. Your class participation grade includes attentive listening and active contribution to class
discussions. During each discussion session two or more students will be asked to lead
the discussion and ask questions related to the readings. You should take notes when
completing the assigned readings and come to class prepared with a list of questions or
comments you may have about the readings, events, in-class and out-of-class
experiences, etc. We have a great deal to learn from each other during our discussions.
Listen respectfully to your colleagues, respond to their questions, and build upon their
comments.
2. Two arts event response papers (600 words) related to the selected events you will
attend during the course of the semester. You must plan to see two different types of
public arts events. For example, you may attend a music concert and a poetry reading.
(You may not attend two or more plays or two or more visual art events, etc.) You may
be asked to discuss the events you attend with the class. Links to websites with event
listings will be posted on Blackboard Learn under “Web Links”. I will also announce
upcoming events in class each week. All students may attend one extra event to
complete a third response paper for extra credit. Event response papers must be
submitted via Blackboard Learn.
3. One group project that will involve constructing shadow puppets, writing dialogue for a
short scene, incorporating music and puppet movement into the scene and presenting it
to the class. You will also write an individual reflective essay about the experience (300
words). Most of this project will be completed during class time except for the
essay, which must be submitted via Blackboard Learn.
4. One interview and essay on the subject of a creative individual (transcribed interview of
responses to 15-20 questions which will roughly equal 2-4 pages AND a separate 600
word reflective essay). This is your “mini-ethnography” midterm project and you will give
a 10 minute presentation in class about your project. During the course of your
presentation, you should introduce the class to the creative individual you chose to focus
on, present examples of that personʼs work, and discuss his/her creative process. The
interview transcription and essay portion of the midterm project must be
submitted via Blackboard Learn. You may also be asked to submit supplementary
materials with your project, depending on your topic and presentation.
5. One paragraph or single-page proposal for your final creative project. The final project
should be a creative work that you have been developing all semester. It may be ANY
form of creative expression including a dramatic monologue, short film, piece of music,
musical instrument, painting, sculpture, pottery, poetry, music video, photography, dance
performance, digital design project, etc. The project proposal must be submitted via
Blackboard Learn.
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6. One narrative essay or journal concerning your final creative project with details of the
project's origins and development, your creative process, its significance to you and
others, anything you may have learned as a result of completing this project and its
relationship to this seminar (1200-1300 words). This assignment will also include a 10
minute presentation to the class during the final class meetings of the semester.*
7. *Final creative projects may be placed on display in the New College Gallery –
Room 216 Lloyd Hall through the months of April-May 2013. The written
component of the final project must be submitted via Blackboard Learn.
Assignment Points:
15 pts.
15 pts.
20 pts.
15 pts.
15 pts.
20 pts.
(1–5
pts.)
Attendance
Class participation (including all in-class creative activities, preparation for and
contribution to discussions, and assignments to prepare for creative activities)
2 Arts Event Response Papers (10 pts. each)
Group Shadow Puppet Project (group scene = 10 pts., reflective essay = 5pts.)
Midterm Project (written portion = 10 pts., presentation = 5 pts.)
Final Creative Project (written portion including the proposal = 10 pts., presentation = 5
pts., and creative project = 5 pts.)
Extra Credit Assignments
Final Grade Scale/Total Points Converted to Letters:
A+
A
A-
97-100 (105)
93-96
90-92
B+
B
B-
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
C-
77-79
73-76
70-72
D+
D
DF
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
Attendance Policy:
New 212 is conducted as a participation-intensive seminar. Each member contributes actively to
the on-going, in-class conversation and assumes group and individual leadership
responsibilities throughout the semester. Hands-on activities cannot be made up later in the
semester. Therefore, attendance is required and students are expected to arrive on time for all
classes. A total of three late arrivals or early departures will be counted as one absence.
You are allowed a total of two absences from class, no explanation or formal excuse required.
These absences may be used for illness, family emergencies, or other personal matters so
please use them wisely. If you have three or more absences, your participation and attendance
grade will be lowered accordingly. You are responsible for any material you may have missed and
should contact me via email as soon as possible if you are absent from class. If regular
attendance is an issue for you for whatever reason, you should consider dropping this
course.
Use of Technology:
Students may use laptop computers and/or other electronic devices to take notes during class
discussions, or to have access to the reading materials available online. Occasionally, we may
use the internet in the context of a class discussion. However, you may not check Twitter,
Facebook or any other websites that are not related to the class discussion. Texting
during class is unacceptable. If you use class time for texting, sending emails, updating
your social network profile, etc. you will be marked absent. You will also be marked absent
if you sleep in class, use laptops during films, and/or during guest presentations.
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Policy on Missed Coursework:
Students are required to complete all assignments on time to receive full credit. In the event that
you are unable to complete an assignment on time, you will lose the equivalent of one full letter
grade per week that the assignment is late. (Ex. 10 point assignment turned in 1 week late = 9 as
the highest possible grade for that assignment).
Extra Credit Opportunities:
Students may attend one additional public arts event of their choice and write one extra response
essay following the assignment guidelines posted on Blackboard Learn. Students should check
with me before attending an event to be sure it is an event that is relevant to this course.
Email Policy:
Please allow up to 24 hours for email responses from me. Emails sent Fri.-Sun. will be
addressed within 48-72 hours. Emails that contain questions that may be answered by referring
to the syllabus or documents available Blackboard Learn may not receive a response. Please
read the syllabus and all material available on Blackboard Learn carefully before sending me an
email with questions you may be able to answer on your own.
Disability Statement:
If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me
as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have
a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit
133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course
adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during
office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services,
133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.
Non-Discrimination Policy:
The University of Alabama is committed to providing an inclusive environment that is free from
harassment or discrimination based on race, genetic information, color, religion, ethnicity,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, ability, or veteran status. The
University of Alabama prohibits any verbal or physical conduct that threatens or endangers the
health or safety of any individual or group, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats,
stalking, intimidation, harassment, sexual misconduct, coercion, and/or other communication or
conduct that creates a hostile living or learning environment.
Policy on Academic Misconduct:
All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to
observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects
from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline.
Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any
knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The
Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
Severe Weather Protocol:
In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens
activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and
laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the
center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain
there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is
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issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor.
Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired
provided at least half of the class period remains.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will
remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of
Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These
counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals
should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary
precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the
Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or
severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly.
It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather
Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the
actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will
disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following
ways:
• Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage – www.ua.edu
• Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at
myBama)
• Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
• Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA 7. WVUA 7 Storm Watch provides a free service you
can subscribe to that allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail, pager or
cell phone. Check http://www.wvua7.com/stormwatch.html
If a severe storm hits Tuscaloosa and causes classes to be suspended for an extended period
of time, the College of Arts and Sciences will post instructions and policies on its web page –
www.as.ua.edu and I will use both Blackboard Learn and email to contact all of you and to post
important information.
New 212-001, Preliminary Course Schedule: (Bold Type indicates an assignment is
due. The schedule may be modified during the semester. Students will be notified in
advance if any changes are made).
Week 1: Introduction
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1/9 – Course introduction, overview of syllabus and assignments, instructions provided for
sensory observation assignment.
Week 2: Creativity
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1/14 – Discussion of selected creativity articles available on Blackboard Learn under
“Course Content” in the “Creativity” folder.
1/16 – Continuation of article discussion if needed (from 1/14). Sensory observation
discussed, followed by related in-class creative activities. Everyone must come to class
with: pens, pencils, paper (lined and unlined), and scissors. Optional: you may bring
colored pencils, markers, colored paper, glue sticks, etc.
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Week 3: Interviews and Ethnographic Projects
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1/21 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – no classes at UA.
1/23 – Discussion of interview methods and articles available on Blackboard Learn under
“Course Content” in the “Interviews/Ethnographic Project” folder. View selected minidocumentaries and interviews of creative individuals.
1/23 – Guidelines discussed for midterm project and arts event response essays. Mock
interviews conducted in class (if time).
Week 4: Local Arts Venues, and Censorship in the Arts
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1/28 – Introduction to local arts venues, local artists/musicians, arts opportunities (conduct
mock interviews in class and discuss any remaining material from 1/23 if necessary).
1/30 – Discussion of selected articles available on Blackboard Learn under “Course
Content” in the “Local Arts/Censorship” folder.
Week 5: Music, Sound, and Notation
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2/4 – Discussion of selected music/sound related articles available on Blackboard Learn
under “Course Content” in the “Music/Sound/Notation” folder.
2/6 – Develop an original music notation system, interpret visual symbols as sound, group
activity in class.
Week 6: Creative Writing/Poetry/Rap/Spoken Word
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2/11 – Discuss creative writing readings available on Blackboard Learn under “Course
Content” in the “Creative Writing” folder.
2/13 – Special guest – TBD and creative writing activity.
2/13 – Event Response Paper #1 Due – must be submitted via the “Assignments”
tab on Blackboard Learn by 11:59 PM.
Week 7: Dance, Movement, and Flash Mobs
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2/18 – Discussion of the selected dance and movement related articles available on
Blackboard Learn under “Course Content” in the “Movement and Dance” folder.
2/20 – Movement based creative activity in class.
Week 8: Midterm Presentations and Projects Due
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2/25 – Midterm Presentations Begin.
2/27 – Midterm Presentations End.
2/27 – Midterm projects due – written portion (via Blackboard Learn by 11:59 PM)
and any supplementary materials must be submitted.
Week 9: Insider/Outsider Art, Crafts or Photography - TBD
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3/4 and 3/6 – Discussion of selected articles available on Blackboard Learn and special
guest or creative activity. Final project guidelines discussed.
3/6 - Final Project Proposal Due – must be submitted via the “Assignments” tab on
Blackboard Learn by 11:59 PM.
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Week 10: Shadow Puppets and Theater
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3/11 – Intro. to Javanese gamelan and shadow puppets (wayang). Discussion and
presentation of selected articles available on Blackboard Learn under “Course Content” in
the “Shadow Puppets” folder.
3/13 – Construct shadow puppets in class. You must bring pencils, X-Acto knives, and
scissors to class. Markers and colored pencils are optional.
Week 11: Shadow Puppets and Theater continued
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3/18 – Finish shadow puppet construction/rehearse scenes.
3/20 – Shadow Puppet Performances in class and Shadow Puppet Project
Reflective Essay due via Blackboard Learn by 11:59 PM.
Week 12: UA Spring Break – no classes 3/25 and 3/27
Week 13: Outdoor Sculptures
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4/1 – View documentary film about sculptor Andy Goldsworthyʼs work.
4/3 – Construct sculptures using objects found in nature.
4/3 – Meet at the Park at Manderson Landing (on Jack Warner Pkwy.)
Week 14: Book Arts
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4/8 – Discussion of artist books and book arts readings available on Blackboard Learn
under “Course Content” in the “Book Arts” folder followed by brief single-page book
making activity in class.
4/10 – Special Guest or visit to Hoole Special Collections Library – TBD.
4/10 – Event Response Paper #2 Due – must be submitted via the “Assignments”
tab on eLearning by 11:59 PM.
Week 15: Final Projects
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4/15 – Final Presentations Begin.
4/17 – Final Presentations Continue.
Week 16: Final Projects
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4/22 – Final Presentations End.
4/24 – New College Gallery Set Up (room 216-A Lloyd Hall).
FINAL PAPERS AND SUPPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS WILL BE DUE
VIA BLACKBOARD LEARN ON TUESDAY 4/30/13 BY 11:59 PM (FINALS WEEK).
The last day to submit an extra credit response paper and/or any late assignments
via Blackboard Learn is Thursday 5/2/13 by 11:59 PM (Finals Week).
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