22 June 2021

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Student Matters

Congratulations to May 2021 CCT graduates: Erin Black, Natasha Goss, Ece Gurler, Kate Mills, Rachel Parkin, and Adrian Young.

The CCT program has also recognized the following students for their outstanding achievements in their academic work and capstone projects:
Ece Gurler, Critical and Creative Thinking Award for Personal and Professional Development
Adrian Young, Delores Gallo Award for Creative Development and Outreach
Erin Black, Science in a Changing World Award; first graduate of the CCT BA-to-MA Accelerated Master’s Program
Bibiana Rodriguez, Peter J. Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Critical and Creative Thinking

UMass Boston anticipates a reopening of campus for the fall 2021 term. Note that some CCT courses operate using a hybrid format, so attendance may be possible on campus or online. Please contact cct@umb.edu with questions about the format before the start of the term.  Students attending campus will be required to have COVID-19 vaccination and are advised to view the campus guide for reopening.

Application reminder: Fall 2021 applications are due by July 1, 2021. Please see the application requirements and contact cct@umb.edu for additional guidance.

Fall 2021 courses:

See here to register and view more information (search for code CRCRTH to find Critical and Creative Thinking offerings).

• CrCrTh 601, Critical Thinking; Sept. 7-Dec. 7; Tuesdays, 7:00-9:45pm; hybrid format (on campus: #10715, online: #10716)
• CrCrTh 612, Seminar in Creativity; Sept. 8-Dec. 8; Wednesdays, 4:00-6:45pm; synchronous online format (#10720); Theme: Creative Problem-Solving (see full description of the course theme here)
• CrCrTh 615, Holistic & Transformative Teaching; Sept. 13-Dec. 13; Mondays, 7:00-9:45pm; hybrid format (on campus: #10717, online: #10718)
• CrCrTh 692, Processes of Research & Engagement; Sept. 9-Dec. 9; Thursdays, 4:00-6:45pm; hybrid format (on campus: #10721, online: #10722)

CCT Events

Thinking Critically About Public Antiracism Education
A 4-week exploratory seminar
Free and open to all.
Online meetings Thursdays, 1:00-2:00pm EDT, July 8, 15, 22, 29.
RSVP here and see the full description for more details.

This free, non-credit seminar uses the Collaborative Exploration (CE) format, which is problem-based learning approach to lifelong learning. The seminar includes an hour-long structured dialogue (in Zoom) once per week for 4 weeks in a row which emphasizes inquiry, reflection, and curiosity about the theme, and then independent exploration in between the weekly meetings based on each participant’s specific interests and questions about the topic.
Description of theme, Thinking Critically About Public Antiracism Education: in this seminar, we explore the current state of antiracism education for adult learners, including the range of current offerings to the general public that supports our communities in learning about racism and engaging in antiracism efforts. Rather than providing a set curriculum, this seminar allows participants to examine this topic through their own experience and lines of inquiry and share dialogue as we engage as co-learners…see full description.

Alum, Student, and CCT Associates Notables

CCT students, alums and associates are encouraged to send items about accomplishments, new publications, or offerings to the Critical and Creative Thinking community to be included in future newsletters. Please submit items here.

Events

The Septima Clark Learning Center at the Highlander Research and Education Center is hosting a monthly series, “Up Close”, celebrating Septima Clark’s civil rights activism with talks about her life and times. To register for online attendance, see the website.

17th Annual Summer Session on Contemplative Practices in Education
2021 Summer Session: Contemplative Practices for Collective Healing and Liberation
August 2 – 5, 2021
For registration and more information, see the website.

Panel discussion: Behind the Attacks on Critical Race Theory and How We Can Respond
Hosted by SpeakOut
Critical race theory (CRT) is becoming the flashpoint in this debate over how U.S. history and racism can be addressed in classrooms, government agencies, trainings, and conferences. CRT examines the ways institutionalized racism and other systemic barriers to equality are embedded in U.S. society and how institutional and systemic inequities disproportionately affect people of color. But for opponents, it is a catch-all threat to white people, lumping together multiculturalism, anti-racism, identity politics, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and racial justice education. Who and what is behind this orchestrated assault? More importantly, how must we respond? We’ll explore these questions with three important racial justice leaders and educators: Jesse Hagopian, Loretta Ross, and Tim Wise.
For more information and to register, see the website.