Graduate Courses

CRS/EDU 509
INTRODUCTION TO THE GIFTED, TALENTED, AND CREATIVE LEARNER
3, 3/0
Introduction to talent development and creativity in students, examining both the historical foundations and the current state of the field. Characteristics and identification of academically gifted, creative, and talented students from diverse backgrounds and areas of ability who learn at a pace and level that
are significantly different than their classmates.

CRS/EDL 559
PRINCIPLES IN CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Theory and application of the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process; practice in both individual and group uses for either personal or professional contexts; group work and active participation are expected.

CRS 560
FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVE LEARNING
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Theory and research that form the foundation of the discipline of creativity studies; development of awareness and understanding of basic principles, select definitions, models, and theories and practice in applying them in
a variety of contexts. Group interaction, discussion, and project work are expected.

CRS 570
CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING EXPERIENCES
1, 3/0
Current issues, procedures, and principles of creative thinking and problem solving. Students make observations and discuss and evaluate individual experiences.

CRS 580
CREATIVITY ASSESSMENT; METHODS, AND RESOURCES
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Practical information on methods and resources for creativity assessment; review of basic measurement principles and a critique of specific tools used to assess creativity in both education and business. Students receive
personal feedback on a number of measures and develop a profile of their own creative strengths.

CRS 585
LEARNING STYLE METHODS/RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
3, 3/0
Applying learning style processes to guide planning for creative and talent development; information and hands-on experience on documenting students’ learning style strengths.

CRS 590
INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0

CRS 610/EDL 683
FACILITATION OF GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisite: CRS 559.
Advanced strategies for leading small groups through the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process; mastery of facilitation techniques and skills. Students receive expert feedback on their facilitation skills as they apply creative
strategies to real issues. Examines conceptual relationships between facilitation and change leadership; develops basic change leadership skills.

CRS 614
Advanced Cognitive Tools for Creative Problem Solving
 3, 3/0  Prerequisite: CRS 559.

A focus on developing students’ skills in applying and facilitating advanced creative problem-solving tools that involve diagnostic, visionary, strategic, ideational, evaluative, contextual, and tactical thinking. The cognitive tools are drawn from various fields, such as quality improvement and strategic
management, and include decision making and various problem-solving models.

CRS/EDU/EXE 621
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN GIFTED, TALENTED, AND CREATIVE EDUCATION
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: EDU or EXE 509.
Designed to facilitate approval of appropriate curriculum, materials, instructional methods, and evaluation strategies for development of creativity and education of individuals who demonstrate gifted behaviors and talents.
Instructional and curricular models, differentiated teaching/learning and creative/critical thinking strategies, collaboration with the school community.

CRS 625
CURRENT ISSUES IN CREATIVE STUDIES
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisite: CRS 559 or CRS 560.
In-depth survey of current issues on the nature or nurture of creativity; skill development in research and scholarship to increase critical thinking skills and general content literacy of creativity practitioners in any discipline; review, analysis, and interpretation of findings from empirical and nonempirical sources, with some emphasis on the background and development of research at the International Center for Studies in
Creativity.

CRS 635
CREATIVITY AND CHANGE LEADERSHIP
3, 3/0; Sp 09, Sp 10
Prerequisites: CRS 560 and CRS 625.
Culminating activities that cap the Foundations of Creativity strand of the curriculum; understanding and applying the characteristics of change leadership in the context of creativity and Creative Problem Solving (CPS); theoretical and practical launching point for students to examine their future contributions to the field, domain, and discipline by articulating their personal
philosophy and definition of creativity; relation of the CPS process and other change methods to the challenge of making lasting change in other disciplines, such as business, education, psychology, sociology, history,
philosophy, or the arts or sciences.

CRS 670
FOUNDATIONS IN TEACHING AND TRAINING CREATIVITY
3, 3/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisites: CRS 559 and CRS 610.
Practical experience in using principles of creative learning, Creative Problem Solving (CPS), and leadership to facilitate groups; guided practice and independent work in realistic teaching/training situations to develop independent learners and reflective practitioners; use of CPS facilitation skills to develop instructional designs and examine ways to modify teaching and leading with CPS in various groups or situations.

CRS 680
DESIGNING AND DELIVERING CREATIVITY EDUCATION
3, 3/0; Sp 09, Sp 10
Prerequisites: CRS 559 and CRS 560.
Team-teaching experience in creative studies undergraduate courses under direct supervision of the faculty. With permission of instructor, under special circumstances, team teaching may be done in a school, in industry, or in a special creative problem solving program.

CRS 690
MASTER’S PROJECT
3, 0/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisites: CRS 559 and CRS 610.
Development and implementation of an applied project requiring Creative Problem Solving (CPS), change leadership, and facilitation skills; definition and implementation of change initiatives that have a direct impact either on the community or for the field of creativity in general; development of analytical skills in the formation and evaluation of the success of the projects.

CRS 795
MASTER’S THESIS
6, 0/0; F 08, Sp 09, F 09, Sp 10
Prerequisites: CRS 559, CRS 560, and CRS 580.
Design and implementation of empirical research (qualitative or quantitative)
designed to make new and useful contributions to the field of creativity. Students work closely with faculty and, in many cases, join ongoing programs department.