Historical and modern conversations about polymaths

A topical research-based course about the concept of polymathy - a “status” awarded to multiply accomplished individuals throughout history - intended to kick off the Museian project that is, in a way, a pursuit of or a tribute to polymathy.

Reflection & Planning

🎯 Course objective

By undertaking this research course, I hope to:

1. be able to name (cite, recite, recall) famous polymaths in history and their work/legacies
2. discover “what makes a polymath,” according to whom, why there are fewer and fewer agreed-upon polymaths today, and why there’s a positive status associated with it, leading to many folks (like me) pursuing polymathy as an identity
3. become familiar with some modern researchers and experts in polymathy
4. define modern polymathy according to a lens adjusted for modern times
5. reflect on my own identity with a polymath lens

🤝 Intersectionality statement

The pursuit of, or tribute to, polymathy underlines the entire Museian project, and polymathy in itself is an acclaimed outcome of intersectionality and synthesis.

💭 Other reflections

Some hurdles to this course might be…
Other hope and goals for this course are…

Course Outline

Reading List

• James C. Kaufman papers

• Kaufman, J. C., & Beghetto, R. A. (2009). Beyond big and little The Four C model of creativity. Review of General Psychology, 13(1).pdf

• Kaufman, J. C., Beghetto, R. A., & Baer, J. (2010). Finding young Paul Robesons Exploring the question of creative polymathy.docx

• Kaufman, J. C., Beghetto, R. A., Baer, J., & Ivcevic, Z. (2010). Creativity polymathy What Benjamin Franklin can teach your kindergartener.pdf

• CITATION NEEDED_Kaufman Do we all have multicreative potential.doc

• Kaufman, J.C. (2001), The Sylvia Plath Effect Mental Illness in Eminent Creative Writers. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 35 37-50.pdf

• CITATION NEEDED__Kaufman 2012 East_West_Cultural_Bias_and_Creativity_W.pdf

• 30 Knowledge/Content Maps/Michele and Robert Root-Bernstein papers

• Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (2011). Life stages of creativity.pdf

• [-] Arts and crafts as adjuncts to STEM education to foster creativity in gifted and talented students

• Root-Bernstein, R. (2009). Multiple Giftedness in Adults The Case of Polymaths.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (2004). Artistic Scientists and Scientific Artists The Link Between Polymathy and Creativity.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R. (2003). The art of innovation Polymaths and universality of the creative process.DOC

• CITATION NEEDED_BERNSTEIN Arts_Foster_Scientific_Success_Avocations_of_Nobel.pdf

• Root‐Bernstein, R. S., Bernstein, M., & Gamier, H. (1993). Identification of scientists making long‐term, high‐impact contributions, with notes on their methods of working.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R. Sensual Chemistry. Aesthetics as a Motivation for Research..pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R. Music, Creativity and Scientific Thinking.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R. (1995). Correlations Between Avocations, Scientific Style, Work Habits, and Professional Impact of Scientists.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, M., & Root-Bernstein, R. (2003). Martha Graham, Dance, and the Polymathic Imagination a case for multiple intelligences or universal thinking tools.pdf

• Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (2017). People, passions, problems The role of creative exemplars in teaching for creativity.pdf

Milestones and Output

• A reflection essay (or essays) with my insights and takeaways on polymathy, and how this integrates with my identity formation (subjective)
  • Reintegration: Define the polymathy lens, objectives, or motivator of my project curriculum (subjective-objective)
• A subject literature note and/or essays on polymathy (objective)