31 July 2023

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Student Matters

The following Fall 2023 courses are open for non-degree registration. Prospective students are welcome to register as space allows. See the full descriptions here, and contact cct@umb.edu for assistance registering or with questions about the program.

• CrCrTh 601, Critical Thinking; Sept. 5-Dec. 13; online, meetings on Tuesdays, 7:00pm ET (class #12147)
• CrCrTh 615, Holistic and Transformative Teaching; Sept. 5-Dec. 13; online, meetings on Tuesdays, 4:00pm ET (class #12149)
• CrCrTh 616, Dialogue Processes; Sept. 5-Dec. 13; online, asynchronous (all students register for class #12150)

Applications for spring 2024 admission are being accepted with a due date of December 1, 2023. Admissions requirements and procedures can be reviewed here.

New and Returning Students – please join us for the Fall 2023 Welcome and Reflective Practice Portfolio Overview (online)
Wednesday, September 13th, 7:00-8:00pm EDT
RSVP here for link to join by Zoom
During this session, you will hear about current directions of the program, meet other students, and learn about the CCT program’s Reflective Practice Portfolio requirement. All students are invited to attend to review how the portfolio works and be supported to continue working on your portfolio.

Please note that the new UMB website has been launched at www.umb.edu. The following address is now the official university home page for the CCT program:
https://www.umb.edu/academics/program-finder/critical-creative-thinking-ma/

CCT Events

Fall 2023 Dialogue Series on Reflective Practice in a Changing World (online)

• Wed. Sept 20th, 7:00-8:00pm ET: Reflective Practice for Managing Unexpected Life and Work Transitions (RSVP to this session | more details on the theme)
• Thurs. Oct. 19th, 7:00-8:00pm ET: Reflective Practice for Revisiting Purpose in Our Academic and Career Paths (RSVP to this session | more details on the theme)
• Wed. Nov. 15th, 7:00-8:00pm ET: Reflective Practice for Restoring Wellness in Dysfunctional Spaces (RSVP to this session | more details on the theme)
• Thurs. Dec. 14th, 7:00-8:00pm ET: Reflective Practice for Embracing Creative Risk (RSVP to this session | more details on the theme)

Join any number of these dialogues, free and open to the public. RSVP to an individual event to receive Zoom login information and reminders for that event.
In this series of dialogues, we consider the role of reflective practice for thinking critically and creatively about work and life. Reflective Practice is relevant to any field and refers to how we make connections between our past experience and future actions. For each engaging hour-long session, we focus on one theme that represents a common challenge to the reflective practitioner. We use a structured dialogue process to support each participant to recall and make sense of their experiences and then envision how to direct their practices toward ongoing and future encounters with that challenge.

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

Mindcamp Canada is a multi-day retreat for personal and professional development.
2023 theme: Ordinary Magic: those small things, often overlooked or unnoticed, that we can all do to multiply our creative potential and that of the people around us.
August 14-18, 2023, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada
For more details, registration, and program information, see the website.

2023 Global Inclusion Conference
October 31-November 7, 2023
Location: Chicago, IL
Global Inclusion 2023 will be an opportunity to share innovations, build community, and collaborate to make progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
See the website for more information and to register.

TEDWomen 2023
October 11-12, 2023
Location: Atlanta, GA
From the website: “We all know that when it comes to global gender equity, there’s still so much work to be done. It’s time to reset, to rethink, to collectively imagine different ways forward. This year we’ll joyfully celebrate those taking bold strides into the future, those working unapologetically to make big dreams become reality. Whether working on new models of equity and inclusion or blazing trails as pioneers, this year’s speakers demonstrate luminous new thinking and ideas designed to enchant, uplift and inspire us all.” See the website for full program information and registration details.

Webinar: Storythinking: The New Science of Narrative Intelligence
October 11, 2023, 6:30-8:00pm ET
Presentation by Angus Fletcher, Professor of Story Science, Project Narrative, Ohio State University
Part of the ColumbiaDC CUP series
In this presentation, Prof. Angus Fletcher explains how and why our brains think in stories, which Fletcher identifies “storythinking.” He demonstrates that storythinking is fundamental to what makes us human and explores the nature of imagination, innovation, and creativity. See more information and register here.

2023 Critical Thinking Academy
October 13-15, 2023
Compton Gardens & Arboretum
Bentonville, AR
Sponsored by the Foundation for Critical Thinking
The Academy will entail three days of interactive workshops that will enhance your understanding of critical thinking and how to best foster it in your courses and classes, as well as at your institutions. For more information and registration, see the website.