UNCP5522 · University and Capstone

Capstone: Creativity and Self

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

Capstone classes are for seniors only and may NOT be taken Pass/Fail. You may take only ONE Capstone class before graduation.Creativity is the act of bringing that which does not exist into existence, of bringing forward that which has previously never lived. It is the remarkable experience of bringing something out of nothing. In order to bring something new into the world, you must be willing to go into the unknown. Just as the poet might listen inwardly and stay open for the next word and just as the artist might pay attention to the images that arise from within, creativity asks that we have one foot in what is known, or existence, and one foot in what is not-known, or non-existence. This requires an ability to be still, to look both inward and outward, and then to record the resulting art-making or in life. In this Capstone course, students will attend to two areas: the meaning of art and mindfulness, and their own history of making (or lack thereof) and how they would like to build artistic sensibility, creativity and creation into their lives. We will investigate the spiritual roots of creativity, and the ways in which creativity and appreciation of art and art-making can contribute meaningfully to the development of one as a full citizen of the world. You do not have to have any experience in art-making to take this course. Texts include: Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet, by Matthew Fox and Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, by David Bayles and Ted Orland, Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration, by Meera Lee Patel (you should write in this every week; you'll be presenting it in your "exit interview" at semester's end)