Not Just Book SmartFiguring Creative Work into Honors Education

The Honors College at the University of HoustonKatelyn HalpernBlair AultDr. John Harvey

Overview of the Center for Creative Work

Creative Workshops

Senior Honors Thesis

Curriculum

Human Situation

Writers & Their Regions

•Seminar•Retreat•Presentation

Honors & the Arts Program Series

Performing Arts

Visual Arts

Literary Arts

Events Supplements

Pre-show Lecture

Talk-Back with Artists

Group Discussion

Dionysia

Production of a Greek Comedy or

Tragedy

Agora

Scholars’ Conference

Creative Workshops

Senior Honors Thesis

Curriculum

Human Situation

Writers & Their Regions•Seminar•Retreat•Presentation

Cleveland, TexasWriters & Their Regions: Retreat 2009

Writers & Their Regions: Student Work

Creative Workshops

Senior Honors Thesis• Build on other CCW projects• Portfolio for graduate school applications

Curriculum

Human Situation

Writers & Their Regions

Honors & the Arts Program Series

Performing Arts

Visual Arts

Literary Arts

Events Supplements

Pre-show Lecture

Talk-Back with Artists

Group Discussion

New Translation of an Ancient Greek Text• Euripides’ The Children of Herakles,

2009• Sophocles’ Electra, 2010

Creative Team • The Honors College• University of Houston• Professional theater community

Beyond the Performance• Pre-show Agora• Scholars conference

Dionysia

Production of a Greek Comedy or

Tragedy

Agora

Scholars’ Conference

Dionysia

Production of a Greek Comedy or

Tragedy

Agora

Scholars’ Conference

Creative Minds

A Short Film by Blair Ault

Benefits of the Center for Creative Work: Students

•Focus on personal compositions

•A critical approach to creative work

•A departure from the Department

Benefits of the Center for Creative Work: The Honors College and the University of Houston

•Community created by Center for Creative Work events

•Exposure to the arts

•President Khator's initiatives for UH's future • Energy• Medicine• Arts

Benefits of the Center for Creative Work: Houston and Beyond

•Connecting a city with its students

•Enriching a vibrant arts community

•Contributing to the dialogue between Academics and the Arts

Comparing the Center for Creative Work to Similar ProgramsDual Degree (BFA/BA) at Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design

iArts Minor at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts

How do similar programs •approach the integration of arts and academics?•build community?

Brown-RISD Dual Degree

• 5 year program• First incoming class: 2008• Bachelor of Fine Arts (RISD)• Bachelor of Arts (Brown)• Dual Citizenship• 2 years in residence at each school

Comparing the Dual Degree with the Center for Creative Work

Integrating Arts and Academics • Students enroll at both schools • Integration at the Macro vs. Micro Level

Building Community Live together on campus• Foundational courses together• Social Events

• Direct approach• Daily integration in class

• Emphasis on class discussion• Extra- and co-curricular activities

Brown-RISD Dual Degree Center for Creative Work

iArts Minor at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts

• at the University of Houston• Emphasis on collaboration among the arts• Residencies for emerging and established artists• iArts minor established 2008• Funds interdisciplinary student projects

Comparing the iArts Minor with the Center for Creative Work

iArts Minor

Integrating Arts and Academics • Background for interdisciplinary artists• Includes some arts management

Building Community• Campus arts hub and co-curriculars• Involved with Houston arts scene

Center for Creative Work

• Sustained academic work• Emphasis on humanities

• Co-curricular activities• Student focus• Bridges to community

Long Term Goals•Minor•University & City• Honors & the Arts Program Series• Dionysia• Internships

Question and AnswerSession