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Module

BUS3027 : Innovation and Creativity

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Neil Alderman
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To introduce students to concepts and theories of creativity and its role in the innovation process. To provide students with an awareness and understanding of the role of management in fostering creativity and (particularly radical) innovation in the workplace. To introduce theoretical perspectives on the wider process of innovation that go beyond a simplistic managerial approach, including social shaping, evolutionary economics and actor networks. To provide students with the basis for critical judgement with regard to the strategies and processes of innovation and creativity management in an organizational context and the role of innovation and creativity in contemporary economic and organizational activity.

Outline Of Syllabus

1 Introduction to the course

Creativity
2 What is creativity?
3 The creative process
4 Creative individuals
5 Creative teams
6 Creativity tools and techniques
7 Creative places
8 Creative organisations
9 Creative industries
10 The management of creativity

Design
11 Design and consumer culture
12 Design and competitiveness
13 Socially responsible design and the ethics of innovation

Innovation
14 The Rational Managerialist Approach
15 Engaging in radical innovation
16 Innovation and technology failure
17 Evolutionary Interpretations
18 Social shaping of innovation and technology
19 Innovation in major projects
20 Actor Network Theory

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion170:0070:00Research and writing up of assignment. Preparation for summer examination.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture201:0020:00Conventional whole class lectures, but may be supported by pre-recorded material. (PiP)
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading83:0024:00Pre-lecture / pre-module talk recorded material and directed preparatory reading
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching61:006:00Mix of seminars & workshops on key themes & cases supporting & expanding the lecture material (PiP)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study170:0070:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk101:0010:00Assessment clinics, whole class case discussion sessions and a pre-exam revision session (PiP)
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures introduce students to the main theoretical ideas and processes of creativity management and innovation in different contexts. Students will be introduced to some of the key debates and controversies in the subject area. Critical approaches to the literature will be demonstrated through the lectures.

The small group teaching and module talk sessions permit more detailed discussion of specific issues and case examples and engage students in practical exercises to experience creative practice and design thinking.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402A50Unseen examination. 24-hour take-home format.
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M45Individual assignment of 2,000 words
Written exercise1M5Based on discussion board contributions. Small component of assessment to encourage participation
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MStudents are invited to present their ideas for assignment topics via discussion boards and presentation in seminars for formative feedback in preparation for the individual assignment.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Formative Feedback

Feed forward is provided through an assessment clinic that goes over and explains the assignment brief. A Q&A session is provided at the end of the Autumn term before submission.
An exam preparation session is provided at which previous exam papers/questions are discussed and feed forward given.
Feedback is also provided on group discussions within seminars on specific topics with prior reading.


Summative Assessment

The exam tests students’ knowledge of the subject and their ability critically to assess competing theories and perspectives. Questions will invite critical analysis of key issues in innovation and creativity and their management.

The assessed essay tests students’ ability to relate ideas and apply theory to an analysis of a creative product, person, or place of their choosing.

The Discussion Boards are assessed primarily in terms of number of contributions made with the remaining marks available for entries that make a useful contribution to the module and the collective discussion of creativity topics.

Reading Lists

Timetable