Aims

Creativity, the ability to generate new ideas and alternative approaches for matters ranging from everyday issues to the grand challenges of our time, is arguably one of the most important resources we have. Individuals, firms, organisations and governments often seek to enhance (or attract) creativity. Yet, despite its relevance and significance for addressing pressing issues of how we live together in a sustainable manner, creativity remains poorly understood.

This module gives students an opportunity to develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current creativity research and the emergence of theories regarding the origins and role of creativity in the economy and society. It provides students with the opportunity to consider the applications of that knowledge at the levels of the individual, small teams, organisations, public policy and grand challenges including those related to sustainability.

The module is designed to enable students to understand and manage creativity (including their own), thereby equipping them for future employment scenarios where the ability to be creative, design sustainable solutions to problems, operate effectively in innovative and creative teams and lead creative endeavours will be key.

Outline Of Syllabus

What is creativity?
The creative person(ality)
Creative teams
Multi-cultural creative teams
Creative processes and techniques
Creating an organisational climate to foster innovation and creativity
Leadership for creativity

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module entails the development of sophisticated perspectives on creativity. The learning outcomes for this module, and the subject matter of creativity, suggests a very flexible approach to teaching and learning, which is best accommodated by an extended lecture format during which a variety of appropriate methods (including interactive, more practically-focused activities) can be adopted with flexibility.

The module will also incorporate structured non-synchronous activities (for example non-synchronous discussion boards) designed to supplement the scheduled learning and teaching activities.

Student led group activity is an important element of this module because it enables students to acquire experience of working in diverse socio-cultural teams.

In terms of guided independent study (in addition to directed research and reading, self-directed research, and assessment preparation), students will be undertaking student-led group activity which provides the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the intended learning outcomes of working effectively and ethically in diverse socio-cultural teams and selecting and utilising a range of creativity enhancing and creative problem-solving techniques in different contexts.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to ensure that students have the opportunity to demonstrate that they have achieved the intended knowledge outcomes which are: to analyse, appraise and apply a range of creativity theories in different contexts (ILO1) and to select and utilise a range of creativity enhancing and creative problem-solving techniques in different contexts (ILO2). Students also have the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the intended skills outcomes of the module which are to: work effectively and ethically in diverse socio-cultural teams (ILO3); reflect upon their own experience of creativity, (ILO4) and communicate effectively using appropriate oral, written and visual means (ILO5).

The first essay allows students an early opportunity within the programme to demonstrate ILO1 and ILO5 and they receive substantial formative feedback on their academic writing and referencing. The group oral presentation presents the output of the group creative project and offers an opportunity for the students to demonstrate IL02, ILO3, ILO4 and ILO5 and to receive formative feedback (both written and verbal) that can inform future presentations.

Peer assessment will be used as part of the process of awarding marks for the group presentation.