Creative Thinking Class Encourages Students to be “Dangerous,” “Deadly”
Tuesday, November 11 2008
Nov. 11, 2008 Written by Amy Huddleston MOSCOW, Idaho – “Dangerous” and “deadly” are hardly the first words most professors would use to describe students. For Jim Clark, those two words are the outcome he wants for students in his Creative Thinking for Media class. The University of Idaho special-topics class encourages students to discover and practice creativity. It also promotes skills and techniques for their careers and personal lives. "Our business world desperately needs people who can think creatively and not settle for mediocrity,” said Clark, an adjunct faculty member in the School of Journalism and Mass Media. Clark doesn’t address "artistic creativity" – the skills that help people write music, create paintings and photographs, or write novels. Instead, he focuses on “conceptual creativity” – the development of ideas, insights and questions. He encourages students to see old things in new ways. He pushes students to challenge assumptions that seem to be facts, but aren’t. In Clark’s view, “the hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.” “The problem with understanding the creative process is that clichés, such as ‘think outside the box’ or ‘color outside the lines,’ are assumed to describe the creative process," Clark observed. "That’s not the case at all. True creative thinking pushes out boundaries from inside the box of experience." The course centers around Clark’s blog, which presents readings, examples and fun things to ponder, and is updated daily. Students also keep a weekly journal of responses to topics that Clark presents each week, including challenging questions, visual thinking exercises and listening challenges. This is the first semester that JAMM has offered such a class. For Clark, who began teaching the class in Michigan more than 15 years ago, it continues to evolve each time he teaches it. “The idea originated in the late 1980s at Stanford by Michael Ray,” Clark said. “It’s grown since then. To my knowledge, ‘creative thinking’ classes like this one are taught at 12-14 other colleges and universities throughout the country. The paradox is that while many schools would like such a class, not everyone can teach it. And not every school sees the need or has the guts to offer it.” The JAMM curriculum reflects the school's commitment to giving its students a mix of professional skills and conceptual thinking in a liberal arts context. Clark’s course gives graduates an advantage when entering the professional world, said Kenton Bird, JAMM director. “Many schools and businesses want ‘creative’ people, but nobody actually teaches students how to think creatively,” Clark said. “This course also reinforces and cements the University of Idaho’s strategic mission to encourage innovation and creativity.” “It is a difficult class because I don’t teach it,” Clark said. “I present students with a door and they are welcome to go through it. Maybe it is better on the other side, or maybe it isn’t, but the things students learn in this class literally could change their lives. In fact, most students change their perspectives during the class.” Jacqueline Goddard, a senior public relations student, agrees. “I have a different self-confidence now. I feel more dangerous,” she said. “This class reinforces all of the aspects of JAMM and taught me how to use the skills I already have to be more productive in the workplace.” Goddard said the class builds on students’ own introspective and helps students build on and accentuate their own strengths. “The classroom is a safe community. We are able to make comments and then Jim pushes you further to learn more. It has allowed me to challenge situations and ideas and ask ‘what if and why not?’” she said. Katie Dahlinger, who currently is enrolled in the course, agrees. “I have gained a lot of confidence from taking this class,” she said. “Jim’s class is all about personal improvement and it breaks down all barriers that could hinder creativity. It has given me the courage to do something new, even if I fail.” Dahlinger, the university's Student and Young Alumni Program coordinator, said she doesn’t know if she is ‘dangerously creative’ yet. “I don’t think I want to know; it is something I am working toward,” she said. “Jim challenges students to do better and he never lets students settle for less. Each student has a very different experience in this class and the things presented are things I want to share with other people.” Clark believes that everyone is creative, but through the process of becoming adults, many people have lost the desire or knowledge to think in a way that challenges and inspires personal growth. Clark said this class is one of the most difficult and challenging classes students will take in college; it’s also one of the most enjoyable and “fun” classes. “There’s one caveat,” Clark said. “Once they take this course, they can’t go back to the person they were before the class started. Most of the time, that’s a very good thing.” This class will be offered in the spring semester and possibly again in the future. Although space is limited, the class is open to non-JAMM majors – or even faculty members – who want to add a new dimension of creative thinking to their experiences. Before moving to the Palouse in 2005, Clark worked in advertising, marketing and public relations in the Midwest. The University of Idaho School of Journalism and Mass Media combines hands-on professional programs with a liberal arts approach to the study of mass media. It offers bachelor’s degrees in four areas: journalism, radio-TV-digital media production, advertising and public relations. For additional information, visit www.class.uidaho.edu/jamm. # # # About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Media Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.