Mission Statement
Gifted and Creative Education (GCE)
Theoretical Base
The Gifted and Creative Education Program at the University of Georgia incorporates the beliefs that knowledge is transitory, various perspectives are valuable, and competing theories and practices should be openly explored. Therefore, the theoretical basis for teaching and research incorporates various theories and is frequently updated. There is a sound theoretical base in educational psychology that provides the foundation for the program. This theoretical base indicates that intelligence is multidimensional (Guilford, Sternberg, Gardner, etc.); that creativity is a universal potential to be nurtured and enhanced (Torrance); and that the best education is tailored to students' specific needs and interests for talent development rather than general instruction for students labeled gifted (Renzulli, Treffinger). Beyond this, there are specific courses dedicated to learning about the most pertinent and up-to-date theories in the various areas of gifted and creative education:
• Assessment (EPSY 7110, EPSY 7060);
• Characteristics and development (EPSY 7110, EPSY 8200);
• Creativity (EPSY 8220, EPSY 8240);
• Curriculum (EPSY 7230, EPSY 7250);
• Historical foundations (EPSY 7110, EPSY 9630);
• Social / emotional needs (EPSY 8200, EPSY 8210, EPSY 7210).
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