BUS3027 : Innovation and Creativity
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Neil Alderman
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Conventional whole class lectures, but may be supported by pre-recorded material. (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 70:00 | 70:00 | Research and writing up of assignment. Preparation for summer examination. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 8 | 3:00 | 24:00 | Pre-lecture / pre-module talk recorded material and directed preparatory reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Mix of seminars & workshops on key themes & cases supporting & expanding the lecture material (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 70:00 | 70:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Assessment clinics, whole class case discussion sessions and a pre-exam revision session (PiP) |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 50 | Unseen examination. Suitable for 24-hour take-home format. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 45 | Individual assignment of 2,000 words |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 5 | Based on discussion board contributions. Small component of assessment to encourage participation |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Students are invited to present their ideas for assignment topics via discussion boards for feedback. |
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BUS3027's Timetable