DPLS 772su06 - Aesthetics, Creativity, and Leadership
Summer 2006                                  3 Credits

Leadership requires a great deal of self-knowledge, growth and acceptance.  I believe that a whole person emerges from the crucible of thought, action and reflection.  This class is specifically designed for personal growth and development, using aesthetics and creativity in the form of stone sculpting as transformational possibilities.  Stone is understood as metaphor for the soul/self; as we work on the stone, we may uncover parts of ourselves previously hidden.   This leads to a more authentic self in relationship with others, a key element in leadership issues.

The course is based on the premise that there is a psychological and pedagogic mandate in using arts as a transformational tool for personal and community transformation.  The goal is to allow the student to reflect on the process of engaging the authentic self in multiple contexts, including their theological/spiritual grounding. 

There is no requirement for any kind of previous artistic experience; using stone carving is a way of evening the experience for everyone, we are all engaged as novices in this process.  Students will need to wear clothing which will get dusty. 

An additional $35.00 materials fee will be assessed to cover:  stone, safety equipment (glasses, gloves, face masks, ear protection) files and the use of other carving tools. 

Course Requirements

Students will:

      Complete all reading assignments and reflections before the start of class.  Blackboard will be used as appropriate for readings and assignments. 

      Complete one or two pieces of stone by the end of the class.

      Maintain a regular reflection practice during the class, this can be in journal format, in poetry or prose and may be send to me via Blackboard.

      Complete a three to five page reflection paper on the effect of the transformational process.  This can be framed around any of the topics covered in class:  psychology, pedagogy, spirituality, leadership theory and practice, soul/role dynamic, etc.  This will be due no earlier than four –six weeks post-course to give you time for distilling the experience. 

Required texts:

Silvia Behrend.  “The Art of Community, The Community of Art.”  Unpublished dissertation.  Meadville/Lombard Theological School 2005.  Will be available on Blackboard. 

Stephen Nachmanovitch.  Free Play:  The Power of Improvisation in Life and the Arts (New York, Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam, 1990)

Parker Palmer.  A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life (Jossey-Bass, 2004)

Your choice of one book or anthology of poetry.  I am most familiar with the following poets:   Mary Oliver, Stephen Mitchell, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Rumi.  I encourage you to browse around until you find someone whose voice strikes you in some way.

Assignments Due before class starts:

      For each text, write a short reflection (1-3 pages) on your understanding of the basic themes presented.  These may be posted on Blackboard for reading by other students.   If you use quotes, please use APA format for all papers.  

      Be familiar with one book or collection of poetry of your choice.  We will use the poems on the first day of class.

      For each of the three weeks before class starts, write a daily reflection process on any of the following themes or anything that arises as you begin the process of maintaining a reflection practice. 

o       Hope

o       Despair

o       Faith

o       Death

o       Suffering

o       Creativity

o       Transformation

o       Fear

o       Desire

This is designed to start you on a regular practice before we meet.   You may choose one theme a week, or simply reflect on what is most salient in your experience.  Please write at least one page daily, not to exceed three pages a day.  You may use Blackboard to send them to me; they will not be read by anyone else.

Final Assignment:

Write a three-to-five page reflection paper on the experience you had in the class as it pertains to your own particular field of study or interest in the area of leadership.  Please wait at least four weeks before you begin this reflection process.  I am most interested in what sticks to your life and what will be most useful for you.