Creativity has often been defined as the process of bringing into being something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form. Creative thinking involves breaking away from expected, traditional patterns of thinking and realizing new or different connections between ideas.
Many people fail to think creatively because it involves intellectual risk-taking and mental play.
Mental play must be added to the list of required basic skills for learning. Learning to think creatively is an integral part of higher-level learning in the university experience. Rapid change and complexities in the modern world require creative and critical thinking directed toward new thought patterns and behaviors. In the university experience students are challenged to ask questions that generate new insights and to think outside the box to find creative solutions to contemporary problems and issues. This seminar will approach creativity as a learning process through a diversity of creative experiences in the arts and sciences.